Possible bullying?

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Gplover94

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I rehomed two boars a week ago (6 and 12 weeks old) . The rescue said they were very bonded and they were cuddling and sleeping together when I first got them.

Fast forward 5 days and I'm starting to notice what looks like the 12 week old bullying the 6 week old.

Lots of butt pushing, mounting, not allowing him near the food bowl, purring (which sounds like growling) and occasional teeth chattering when he's not near him.

There hasn't been any biting yet and I'm checking them both on a daily basis. Now the 6 week old is burrowing under the hay away from. The 12 week old but they used to huddle and cuddle. Should I be worried?

White guinea is the 12 week old (keano) brown and white guinea is the 6 week old (furgie).
 

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Gplover94 said:
I rehomed two boars a week ago (6 and 12 weeks old) . The rescue said they were very bonded and they were cuddling and sleeping together when I first got them.

Fast forward 5 days and I'm starting to notice what looks like the 12 week old bullying the 6 week old.

Lots of butt pushing, mounting, not allowing him near the food bowl, purring (which sounds like growling) and occasional teeth chattering when he's not near him.

There hasn't been any biting yet and I'm checking them both on a daily basis. Now the 6 week old is burrowing under the hay away from. The 12 week old but they used to huddle and cuddle. Should I be worried?

White guinea is the 12 week old (keano) brown and white guinea is the 6 week old (furgie).
Click to expand...

Hi!

What most people are not aware of is that guinea pigs always to establish/re-establish their hierarchical group in any new territory. Yours have now got their bearings in their new place that they can do that. All babies will snuggle up and are desperate for companionship because the thing they want to be is alone, so 'well bonded' is not an expression I would use for this young age. Whether your two are personality matched will only show during teenage.

Please make sure that any hides and other places have two exits so the underpiggy cannot be 'locked in' and can escape at all times. You will only know at the end of the dominance phase how well they actually get on. Right now it is all about group hierarchy and establishing leadership. Your 12 week old is insecure in himself because he is still in the formative 'school' where boars tend to learn how to master their enironment and the finer points of piggy social interaction from an 'uncle' boar willing to act as their guardian/teacher. Sadly most people are unaware of this crucial age because the sale of babies denies piggies this crucial period between weaning and teenage.

Please take the time to read these guide links here so you understand better what I am about. You may find the guides both helpful and interesting.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (includes a chapter on the post-bonding or post-move dominance phase)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

All these guides are part of our much more comprehensive New Owners information resource, which I would recommend for bookmarking, browsing, reading and re-reading at need: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Update... Cuddling my 6 week old today and he's taking some veg from my hand stroking him I've felt a scab on his side front shoulder area like he couldve been bitten from the older piggy... Anything I should be concerned about?
 
Have you been weighing to check weight? If he’s really not allowed to eat he would lose weight consistently.

As for the bite, does it look ‘fresh’? We can’t really tell you if the older one bit him. You’re better off getting it checked out, even if it’s minor.

You have to respect their hierarchy. If you’re taking them out they should both come out - top pig first.

How have they been today? Is the younger one still being chased and jumped/mounted?
 
Gplover94 said:
Please read above! Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi!

It is unfortunately impossible to tell for us without having access to your piggies or even being able to have a look at the scab. Pleease accept that.

If your piggies are getting on fine without any major problems now, then I would not worry.
Keep an eye on the scab and see a vet if there is a swelling or any heat underneath it (possible abscess/infection) or if there is a quickly growing bald and/or scaly area developing around it (fungal skin infection or skin parasites). If it heals off just normally, then simply leave be.

You usually notice from some very strained behaviour if something of a serious note has happened. it could have been just a glancing or misjudged blow. How are your boys now and how your is baby's weight coming along?
 
I haven't weighed them I will start weighing. He's allowed to eat.. He is getting veggies, hay and pellets but sometimes keano will fend him off and furgie will give a submissive squeak.

There's nothing that tells me a big fight is imminent I just wanted to know if he's possibly bit him do i have to separate them. I wasn't sure what constitutes as 'get them away from each other' behaviour.

Keano mainly gets dominant around food and if he's bothered by furgie when he's sleeping.

Furgies scab is small and looks dry and crusty. If I notice any of the above I will get him to the vets.

Just a worried first time Piggie mummy :)
 
It’s good if he’s submissive. You could scatter feed the veg and pellets so he can’t hog or chase him away.
 
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