Ripping chunks of hair out of each other :(

[n.davidhilton]

Hi,

Sorry again for another Bruce and Ricco saga! As you can tell they're my first piggies and I just want them to be happy little buddies together.

I'm just worried, I posted yesterday about how I seperated my two boars because they were chasing/rumbling/bullying each other pretty badly.

Everyone said to put them back togehter and let them work it out - which I did.

But then they sort of went for each other and ended up in a little ball together fighting and when they emerged they each had chunks of each others hair in their mouths.

Ricco came off a lot worse and now has a little red sore bald patch (about the size of a little finger nail) and seemed quite shaken.

They've both got over it a lot now and are back to the chasing/rumbling ect.

I just wanted to check this was normal?

Thank you everyone again!

x

 

[katiepops]

I've not read your previous threads but having had a pair of brothers, George and Gerry fall out like this I can sympathise! Rumbling and chasing is sorting out who's boss, it sounds like they've gone to far now in my opinion.
With my boys I kept finding the odd clump of hair but hadn't witnessed the big bust ups until they went into a big ball of fluff and attacked each other, Gerry bit George which turned in to a huge abcess very quickly and they were permantly spilt up after that and now very happy with a wife each.
To be honest I would split them up, as sad and as hard as it is to do it doesn't sound like they want to be friends and they are at risk of doing some serious damage to each other. As my vet told me, imagine if they caught an eye during a fight. In fact there was a new member who posted this evening about exactly that now one of her pigs has lost the sight in one eye.
The best thing for these boys would be either to get them neutered and live with a wife each or to take them boar dating for a new friend each. It will depend on their age and health whether they are good candidates for neutering.
We can recommend a good vet (for neutering) and a good rescue to help pair them up if you let us know what area you are in.
Boys!

 

[lauraboara]

Agree that that does not sound too promising if they are fighting and removing hair. What is your accommodation set up? Can you split them up with a partition between so that they can still 'talk'? I have 2 teenagers who fought and I had them living side by side for a while which gave me time to see if they would rebond.
In the end, they went boar dating and now live happlily with a new friend each but the side-by-side option would give you time to think and observe their behaviour without them entirely losing any bond they do have. Good luck.

 

[Julesie]

I'd seperate them if I were you.

My piggies just did the same thing on Saturday and now Romano is covered in bite marks, some of them very deep. Poor guy has to have medication and salt water over them to make sure he stays okay. The other has a bite mark on his face but otherwise is okay.

Sorry it didn't work out.

 

[iluvguineapigs4]

One of my boars bullies the other a little and I sometimes find a tuft of hair in his mouth but I guess your's is a little bit serious. I would see how it goes and if they do it again, I would seperate them Hope this helps p

 

[n.davidhilton]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies - I'm so upset for the boys!

Although earlier they were both popcorning around together and happily munching some hay.

I might keep a really close eye on them and see if they can work it out a little - but seperate them if they seem angry with each other again...

I really don't want to seperate them !

x