Puberty or something else ?

[Kittykatindeed]

a pig mom is tired !
my boat, who is about 7 months old seems to be going through a severe dominant faze and it’s driving me NUTS!

he seems to be more antsy, running around his cage purring, and this morning during cage cleaning even tried humping my hand and then proceeded to mark me with what I hope was urine! My older males never acted this way and I just wanted to make sure what I’m seeing isn’t cause for worry about something else ? He didn’t seem to sleep much last night and was talking and purring at all hours. It’s enough to drive me crazy !

 

[Siikibam]

7 months is the first time they get a hormone surge. It's normal so don't worry about it. Does he live alone or in a separate cage to the older two boars? Have a read of the link below.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

 

[Kittykatindeed]

7 months is the first time they get a hormone surge. It's normal so don't worry about it. Does he live alone or in a separate cage to the older two boars? Have a read of the link below.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

He’s alone due to aggression , for now until quarantine lifts and I’ll be trying to put him with a spayed female. He’s just a mean little guy and this hormones is making it worse ! Even bit mommy last night !

 

[Siikibam]

He’s alone due to aggression , for now until quarantine lifts and I’ll be trying to put him with a spayed female. He’s just a mean little guy and this hormones is making it worse ! Even bit mommy last night !

What do you mean aggression? Did you try to bond him with your older two or others? Be warned you’ll have a hard time finding a spayed sow. Best way to go is a rescue that does dating so he can pick his own friend. If you just go out and get any pig they may not gel. And if you decide to get a sow you have to keep them apart from the other pair, ideally in another room. Just the scent of a sow can cause a rift in their relationship, even if they can’t get to her.

Just be aware that the teenage months can put a strain on even the strongest of bonds.

 

[Wiebke]

a pig mom is tired !
my boat, who is about 7 months old seems to be going through a severe dominant faze and it’s driving me NUTS!

he seems to be more antsy, running around his cage purring, and this morning during cage cleaning even tried humping my hand and then proceeded to mark me with what I hope was urine! My older males never acted this way and I just wanted to make sure what I’m seeing isn’t cause for worry about something else ? He didn’t seem to sleep much last night and was talking and purring at all hours. It’s enough to drive me crazy !

The weeks around 6 months are the time when the testosterone output is at an all time high in boars.
Is your boar a single or does he have a companion?

Here is our comprehensive boar guide, which also contains a chapter on the various ages: A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

 

[Kittykatindeed]

What do you mean aggression? Did you try to bond him with your older two or others? Be warned you’ll have a hard time finding a spayed sow. Best way to go is a rescue that does dating so he can pick his own friend. If you just go out and get any pig they may not gel. And if you decide to get a sow you have to keep them apart from the other pair, ideally in another room. Just the scent of a sow can cause a rift in their relationship, even if they can’t get to her.

Just be aware that the teenage months can put a strain on even the strongest of bonds.

It was a single older boar. Attempted 3 times to bond them, he was about 4 weeks old at the time, every time I tried, he lunged and attacked my older boy. Eventually my older boy stopped putting up with it.

my older boar is now with a spayed female, and he’s single. We have a rescue and shelter that spay and neuter. So they’re my first stops as soon as possible. I hate him being alone.

 

[Siikibam]

It was a single older boar. Attempted 3 times to bond them, he was about 4 weeks old at the time, every time I tried, he lunged and attacked my older boy. Eventually my older boy stopped putting up with it.

my older boar is now with a spayed female, and he’s single. We have a rescue and shelter that spay and neuter. So they’re my first stops as soon as possible. I hate him being alone.

That isn't aggression, they just didn't get on. Aggression is quite a different thing entirely. That sounds like a good plan to go to the rescue and shelter. In the meantime house him next to the boar and sow pair so he can still have some interaction through the bars.

 

[Kittykatindeed]

That isn't aggression, they just didn't get on. Aggression is quite a different thing entirely. That sounds like a good plan to go to the rescue and shelter. In the meantime house him next to the boar and sow pair so he can still have some interaction through the bars.

This is their set up currently, since I have no floor space for my singles cage. They do talk though, and my boar definitely interacts with them. And he’s a mamas boy and often gets a lot of time out. I just feel so bad. It shocked me when he went to hump my hand during cage cleaning !

 

[Wiebke]

It was a single older boar. Attempted 3 times to bond them, he was about 4 weeks old at the time, every time I tried, he lunged and attacked my older boy. Eventually my older boy stopped putting up with it.

my older boar is now with a spayed female, and he’s single. We have a rescue and shelter that spay and neuter. So they’re my first stops as soon as possible. I hate him being alone.

All the best! Your boy sounds like he is fear-aggressive (i.e. afraid of other piggies). Lunging is typical behaviour for that; it is a very strongly worded 'stay away from me'. Especially guinea pigs that come from a traumatic/stressed background or that have been single during the formative weeks between weaning at 3 weeks of age and teenage can feel very insecure/fearful when meeting a new piggy, panic and overreact.
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

A sow may be a better option, especially if you have access to a rescue with spayed sows (we don't have any in the UK, sadly).

 

[Kittykatindeed]

All the best! Your boy sounds like he is fear-aggressive (i.e. afraid of other piggies). Lunging is typical behaviour for that; it is a very strongly worded 'stay away from me'. Especially guinea pigs that come from a traumatic/stressed background or that have been single during the formative weeks between weaning at 3 weeks of age and teenage can feel very insecure/fearful when meeting a new piggy, panic and overreact.
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

A sow may be a better option, especially if you have access to a rescue with spayed sows (we don't have any in the UK, sadly).

He was originally with his mother when I rescued him. And though my older boar is very submissive and was excited to see him, he was bigger so fear aggression makes sense.

We’ll definitely be Trying to pair him with a sow, because I feel he wants to be the big boss.

 

[BrianaB]

Sorry you're going through this. I'm having a similar frustration with my little man, feisty and testy behavior. Cheers to waiting for these teenage hormones to pass!