Should I Separate My Boars?

[Braelyn]

I'm new to owning piggies, I just got my first one on 11-26-17 from a pet page on Facebook and did all the research I could and knew he needed a friend. So on 11-29-17 I adopted another male from the shelter. I have no idea how old either of them are, but the first one was owned by the previous owner for about 6 months without another pig. The one from the shelter seems older by his nails and teeth. He was alone as well and was around females but in a separate cage. I took a lot of precautions and introduced in a neutral area and they didn't really fight but did scuffle, mount and lots of chatter. No blood was drawn so after 3 hours I decided to put them in the enclosure which is aprox. 4ft by 5ft. It was all washed from scents and a completely new room from where I was keeping the first one. They have separate food, water and hidey spots. I've noticed one of them is still acting dominant / aggressive and still making noise while the other tries to just stay out of the way. They only seem to act this way when I'm in the room, I don't hear any noise outside and when I enter they're both in different corners. After a few minutes of being in there and talking to them the aggressor starts harassing the other pig. Is there anything I can do to help them get along or should I separate them?

 

[Gem789]

I'm new to owning piggies, I just got my first one on 11-26-17 from a pet page on Facebook and did all the research I could and knew he needed a friend. So on 11-29-17 I adopted another male from the shelter. I have no idea how old either of them are, but the first one was owned by the previous owner for about 6 months without another pig. The one from the shelter seems older by his nails and teeth. He was alone as well and was around females but in a separate cage. I took a lot of precautions and introduced in a neutral area and they didn't really fight but did scuffle, mount and lots of chatter. No blood was drawn so after 3 hours I decided to put them in the enclosure which is aprox. 4ft by 5ft. It was all washed from scents and a completely new room from where I was keeping the first one. They have separate food, water and hidey spots. I've noticed one of them is still acting dominant / aggressive and still making noise while the other tries to just stay out of the way. They only seem to act this way when I'm in the room, I don't hear any noise outside and when I enter they're both in different corners. After a few minutes of being in there and talking to them the aggressor starts harassing the other pig. Is there anything I can do to help them get along or should I separate them?

Have you had a look at the bonding guides on this site? If there’s been no actual fighting I’d be reluctant to seperate.When you say one is harrasing the other do you mean he keeps jumping on him or chasing him? x

 

[Braelyn]

Have you had a look at the bonding guides on this site? If there’s been no actual fighting I’d be reluctant to seperate.When you say one is harrasing the other do you mean he keeps jumping on him or chasing him? x

He gets in his space and makes a lot of chatter almost grunting sounds. Occasionally it will escalate a little and they will rear and yawn to show their teeth. I've noticed at night they still sleep near each other and seem to be okay sharing food. I just don't know if it is normal for that behavior to continue after the initial introduction.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

He gets in his space and makes a lot of chatter almost grunting sounds. Occasionally it will escalate a little and they will rear and yawn to show their teeth. I've noticed at night they still sleep near each other and seem to be okay sharing food. I just don't know if it is normal for that behavior to continue after the initial introduction.

It's very normal! I had the same panic when I introduced my two hooligans. I was lucky enough that when I initially put them together there was little to no mounting and chasing. However as soon as they went back into the cage they both went crazy. As hard as it was I didn't separate as no blood was drawn and both are still together now.

The fact your two have been sleeping together is a good sign. I agree with the above about not separating as if yet. Only separate if blood is drawn or you feel a piggy may come to harm or if one is preventing another from eating/drinking.

You have to remember that by changing them to a new environment, the two will reestablish who is 'boss' Again to reassert his dominance and say- "look mate just because we're in here now I'm boss!"

 

[Braelyn]

Well that's good news because I really didn't want to separate them since they've both been alone. As long as it's just dominance and not aggressive. Thank you so much for the info!

 

[Braelyn]

Just wondering if they are still acting this way everyday and it's been 2 weeks is that normal? They never really go near each other and when they do they fight or prepare too. I don't want them to be miserable or lonely. They have lots of space and 2 of everything. I've noticed they really get grumpy at veggie time, I try to put them all around so it's not just in one spot. Regardless they lunge and chase each other with teeth chattering anytime they get veggies and it seems very unclear who is dominant because both take turns backing down/chasing. If one tries to take something from the other it will start a fight. I also noticed a scab looking mark on the rear end of one of my boys, it's very minor but has me worried now. They're still very skiddish around me so I haven't held them much but should I be picking them up to check them more often? Also should I separate them or see if they will settle?