Separation from fighting

[Cookie&Peanut]

Hi, so my 2 male piggies for the past month have been annoying each other. There has been alot of dominance displays and little scuffles. But for the past 2 weeks at least once a day they have been fighting, balls of fluff in the middle of the floor. I tried everything to stop them, they had free roam 24/7 extra hideys extra hay, everything i could think of. Then my lighter one went for the darker one. Blood was drawn.

I picked him up to see if he was hurt and found alot of scars on his bottom/back. I can only think they have been fighting when i am at work. Ive been treating them and they are getting better. Its definitely not anything health related i.e mange.

So i have now separated them. The lighter pig seems to have a major build up of energy. He is rumble strutting alot more. My darker one is just chilled in his pen not bothered by being separated at all. They can still see each other and are next to each other in their pens and ive had no problems since (its only been a couple days of separation.

Has anyone else had this problem, have i done the right thing. The boys are 2 and a 1/2 years old.
thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

Fall outs in older piggies are less common than in teenagers but they do still happen. I'm sorry yours have been one of them.

Yes you have done the right thing. A fur ball, full on blood drawing fight, even once, is bond breaking so their separation must now be permanent.
The piggy who instigated the fight will always be upset by a separation but its not his reaction you go by. The fact the one who was attacked is not bothered by the separation is also confirmation that they no longer have a functioning bond.

Ensure each piggy has a cage measuring a minimum of 120x60cm. They will be fine living as neighbours going forward as they can still interact through the bars only.

Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Has a vet checked the wounds?

 

[weepweeps]

I’m sorry they have fallen out. Such a shame. You’ve definitely done the right thing to avoid further injuries.

 

[Wiebke]

I am very sorry; it is always a very gutting experience.

This kind of bite pattern is typical for a fall-out that is not ending with a big bust-up because it is mostly one-sided. Even adult boars up to three years can suffer from an occasional strong hormone spike or a developing underlying health issue can change the dominance balance.

Please keep an eye on any bite wounds and check the body thoroughly in over the coming weeks for any swelling (abscess). See a vet if necessary now, especially if you notice any deep double needle prick bite wounds (you get 4 of them, one for each incisor, in two sets) from a full-on bite so they can prescribe an antibiotic to hopefully prevent this from happening.

 

[VickiA]

I'm so sorry they have had a fall out, but you have done exactly the right thing in separating them. Once blood has been drawn in this way there really is no going back.

 

[Cookie&Peanut]

Welcome to the forum

Fall outs in older piggies are less common than in teenagers but they do still happen. I'm sorry yours have been one of them.

Yes you have done the right thing. A fur ball, full on blood drawing fight, even once, is bond breaking so their separation must now be permanent.
The piggy who instigated the fight will always be upset by a separation but its not his reaction you go by. The fact the one who was attacked is not bothered by the separation is also confirmation that they no longer have a functioning bond.

Ensure each piggy has a cage measuring a minimum of 120x60cm. They will be fine living as neighbours going forward as they can still interact through the bars only.

Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Has a vet checked the wounds?

Thankyou for your reply. Its good to know ive done the right thing. The bitten piggie has a vet appointment this week to check his wounds.

 

[Cookie&Peanut]

I am very sorry; it is always a very gutting experience.

This kind of bite pattern is typical for a fall-out that is not ending with a big bust-up because it is mostly one-sided. Even adult boars up to three years can suffer from an occasional strong hormone spike or a developing underlying health issue can change the dominance balance.

Please keep an eye on any bite wounds and check the body thoroughly in over the coming weeks for any swelling (abscess). See a vet if necessary now, especially if you notice any deep double needle prick bite wounds (you get 4 of them, one for each incisor, in two sets) from a full-on bite so they can prescribe an antibiotic to hopefully prevent this from happening.

Thankyou. He has a vet appointment this week to check the wounds. I'm keeping a close eye on the wounds and they are looking ok at the moment. Its so sad to see them separated but I'm glad ive done the right thing

 

[Wiebke]

Thankyou. He has a vet appointment this week to check the wounds. I'm keeping a close eye on the wounds and they are looking ok at the moment. Its so sad to see them separated but I'm glad ive done the right thing

You have made absolutely the right decision.
Bonds In Trouble

If you are eventually considering to look for new company for each boar, I would recommend to contact either Gertie's Lonely Guinea Pig Rescue in Newcastle (they specialise in pairing up boars) or North East Guinea Pig Rescue in South Shields.
Rescue Locator