Run Causing Aggression?

[Merithimas]

I introduced two boars about two or three months ago, one of which is four and the other estimated by the rescue at about two and a half. After a fortnight or so of squabbling they settled down and have been getting on well.

However, for the last week I've been putting them out on the lawn in their run for about an hour a day. While they're outside, they seem happy, grazing together and running about. However, when I return them to their cage they seem rather unsettled, and today they've started dominance behaviours like when they were first introduced. There's teeth chattering, rumbling and lots of squealing. Earlier they were chasing and mounting each other, but now the older, dominant boar is just sitting in a paper bag squealing whenever the other approaches, and both are chattering. This has been happening for an hour at least now.

What on earth is going on? Is the run stressing them? As I've said though, when they're in the run they're fine, the trouble only starts when they come back in. Thanks for any help!

 

[Wiebke]

New territory can imply a new hierarchy sort-out. Some boars are more sensitive as to what is included - for a few boys, even a cage clean can be reason for a dominance display!

For your dominant boy, it is obviously necessary to reaffirm his dominance when he comes back to his normal territory. Your other boy is submissive (that is the squealing), but he is also not happy with having to do it. You have to judge whether it is too stressful for your boy pair. I would recommend to leave them together without a trip to the run for a day or two to let the tempers settle down.

 

[AuntyC]

I have just introduced my almost four week old baby boars to floor time in a much bigger area,and popping them back into their cage afterwards sets Basil off establishing his "I'm in charge and don't you forget it" routine! Even though they are still so young it is fascinating watching the hierarchy being sorted out.