Sudden fighting!

AbbieMiddleton

AbbieMiddleton

Junior Guinea Pig
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Good afternoon,

Any help would be appreciated.

Over two weeks ago we rescued a sow (Floof) to be a companion for a lone pig (Bumble) who had lost her cage mate. Everything has been fine until today. They've started attacking each other and I don't know what to do. 😭

There's chunks of fur all over the cage; mainly from Floof but Bumble has wounds and blood below her nostrils and above her lips. I'm so stuck! They're constantly chattering at each other and Floof seems to instigate the physical violence. There's also a Boar (Wombat) caged separately to them who has started to chatter loudly with them. So now I've got three chattering pigs and actual fights occuring.

Please can anyone help? All suggestions welcome. Bumble is an older lady and so, so gentle. She doesn't deserve this. None of them do. 😭
 
Oh my goodness have you separated them? My understanding is that once blood has been drawn they can't live together but I'm no expert. Hopefully someone else will be along soon.
 
AbbieMiddleton said:
Good afternoon,

Any help would be appreciated.

Over two weeks ago we rescued a sow (Floof) to be a companion for a lone pig (Bumble) who had lost her cage mate. Everything has been fine until today. They've started attacking each other and I don't know what to do. 😭

There's chunks of fur all over the cage; mainly from Floof but Bumble has wounds and blood below her nostrils and above her lips. I'm so stuck! They're constantly chattering at each other and Floof seems to instigate the physical violence. There's also a Boar (Wombat) caged separately to them who has started to chatter loudly with them. So now I've got three chattering pigs and actual fights occuring.

Please can anyone help? All suggestions welcome. Bumble is an older lady and so, so gentle. She doesn't deserve this. None of them do. 😭
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Please separate your girls asap and have your attacked girls vet checked; they will likely be both traumatised right now.
They won't sadly go back together after this as the bonding has failed right at the end of dominance phase.

Any upset in another group transmits to other piggies in the vicinity, as I know from my own piggy confrontations in my piggy room.
 
Pigwhisperer said:
Oh my goodness have you separated them? My understanding is that once blood has been drawn they can't live together but I'm no expert. Hopefully someone else will be along soon.
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Oh god, really? Bumble is on me now. She's sleeping in my clothes. I don't understand. This is so sudden. They were eating next to each other this morning so I didn't even know they'd been fighting until I swept them out, spotted the fur, then checked them for wounds. Then they started fighting right Infront of me. I don't know what to do. I can't keep them all separate permanently.
 
They were together in the same hidey this morning, eating together and everything. Is there really no chance for them now? I'm so confused.
 
Sorry things haven't worked out with your girls, it does happen though and sometimes out of nowhere.

I assume your boar isn't neutered and not sure if you've considered this but perhaps if he could be (or is) one of your ladies could be paired up with him. No guarantee of it working but if you cant keep them all separately and want to keep all 3 then it may be worth considering. Failing that, contact the rescue where you got Fluff and seek their advice (not sure if they bonded for you or if they offer a bonding service for Bumble to find a companion of her choosing) but I'm sure they will give you options.

I tried a reintroduction to help a friend recently who's pigs had suddenly fallen out. It was over very quickly & was clear if it continued that one would be hurt so personally I'd reconsider trying to bond them again especially as Bumble is already hurt.

Hope Bumble is feeling ok x
 
Yes it is a shock one which happens when two piggies decided that they can't live together.
Fighting is complete different to strutting or play humping. pls read the fantastic threads on this forum about this.
I have also had sows that have started to fight so they MUST be separated at once.
It's hard to accept but you lucky as one your piggies could have been killed.
 
Darcey15 said:
Sorry things haven't worked out with your girls, it does happen though and sometimes out of nowhere.

I assume your boar isn't neutered and not sure if you've considered this but perhaps if he could be (or is) one of your ladies could be paired up with him. No guarantee of it working but if you cant keep them all separately and want to keep all 3 then it may be worth considering. Failing that, contact the rescue where you got Fluff and seek their advice (not sure if they bonded for you or if they offer a bonding service for Bumble to find a companion of her choosing) but I'm sure they will give you options.

I tried a reintroduction to help a friend recently who's pigs had suddenly fallen out. It was over very quickly & was clear if it continued that one would be hurt so personally I'd reconsider trying to bond them again especially as Bumble is already hurt.

Hope Bumble is feeling ok x
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Thanks for your advice. Bumble seems ok. 😁

The vet has suggested that Wombat (our neutered boar) being housed next to the girls may be contributing to Floof being hormonal; she's young and going through hormonal phases; Wombat is in his 6 week quarantine away from the ladies, post-op. He was going to join them in March.

We're going to move Wombat to another room and separate the ladies in their current set up and attempt a reintroduction after they've cooled off and healed.

The lady at the rescue has been very helpful and although doubtful that the boar has caused this, she does agree with the separation and reintroduction idea. I'm lucky I went to such a helpful and supportive rescue. Julia (saying "she" repeatedly seems rude!) has also offered to intervene and attempt bonding them herself.
 
AbbieMiddleton said:
Thanks for your advice. Bumble seems ok. 😁

The vet has suggested that Wombat (our neutered boar) being housed next to the girls may be contributing to Floof being hormonal; she's young and going through hormonal phases; Wombat is in his 6 week quarantine away from the ladies, post-op. He was going to join them in March.

We're going to move Wombat to another room and separate the ladies in their current set up and attempt a reintroduction after they've cooled off and healed.

The lady at the rescue has been very helpful and although doubtful that the boar has caused this, she does agree with the separation and reintroduction idea. I'm lucky I went to such a helpful and supportive rescue. Julia (saying "she" repeatedly seems rude!) has also offered to intervene and attempt bonding them herself.
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I know you want to rebond them.
I've tried and many more in piggie world have but I'm sorry once blood and teeth and fur etc in two piggies it's very unlikely to work again.
Piggies dont forget .. Sorry if I come across negative but pls I only have piggies health as a concern. x
 
Bumble and Floof have been living together perfectly well for nearly three weeks. Even cuddled together at night so I'm starting to suspect Wombat (our boar) as a contributing factor in the situation as he's only been here a week and has just started to spread his scent around.
 
David Piggie Lover said:
I know you want to rebond them.
I've tried and many more in piggie world have but I'm sorry once blood and teeth and fur etc in two piggies it's very unlikely to work again.
Piggies dont forget .. Sorry if I come across negative but pls I only have piggies health as a concern. x
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I appreciate your input. I shouldn't risk it at all? They were fine this morning, I didn't even know there'd been a fight at first as they were asleep together and then eating together.
 
I've read the guides on here and it suggests a reintroduction could be attempted after a cooling off period. I'm getting conflicting information..... 😥
 
The vet has said that the wounds are shallow and largely superficial and was surprised we even took her to be seen. Both girls are fine. Eating, drinking and acting normally. They've been separated by a dividing section but are sitting next to each other to eat hay and lettuce regardless. - Floof did walk off to torment Wombat, got him worked up, worked herself up and then went over to Bumble and started rumbling. Could Wombat and his testosterone be causing this? He's only 1 week post-op.
 
AbbieMiddleton said:
The vet has said that the wounds are shallow and largely superficial and was surprised we even took her to be seen. Both girls are fine. Eating, drinking and acting normally. They've been separated by a dividing section but are sitting next to each other to eat hay and lettuce regardless. - Floof did walk off to torment Wombat, got him worked up, worked herself up and then went over to Bumble and started rumbling. Could Wombat and his testosterone be causing this? He's only 1 week post-op.
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Very possibly! I'd go with your plan of removing him and let everyone cool off and refer to the bonds in trouble guide if you are set on reintroducing once the dust has settled. It sounds like you've got great support from your rescue and they already know Fluff so may be worth asking them to help with the reintroduction if they are willing or if you are worried. Glad your piggie is ok 👍
 
Darcey15 said:
Very possibly! I'd go with your plan of removing him and let everyone cool off and refer to the bonds in trouble guide if you are set on reintroducing once the dust has settled. It sounds like you've got great support from your rescue and they already know Fluff so may be worth asking them to help with the reintroduction if they are willing or if you are worried. Glad your piggie is ok 👍
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Thank you. I'm very lucky the rescue I've chosen is commited and supportive; Neville's Nest. I'll definitely be taking Julia up on her bonding support should I fail. I'm also lucky Bumble is absolutely fine. She's a tough little pudding.

Wombat is now upstairs. A partition is in place for the girls and reintroductions can start again once everyone has calmed down. I can't give up on them but I'm also ultra alert regarding the risks.

Wombat being in the room is the only difference to have occurred at the same time as the fight. Floof has been obsessed with him since he arrived. Genuinely OBSESSED. She's been lurking outside his cage, pressed against his bars, they've been rumbling at each other, trying to chew through to each other. She ran to his cage every time she was let out. The weeks before he arrived she got on with Bumble superbly with absolutely no issues. They were perfect together.
 
AbbieMiddleton said:
Thank you. I'm very lucky the rescue I've chosen is commited and supportive; Neville's Nest. I'll definitely be taking Julia up on her bonding support should I fail. I'm also lucky Bumble is absolutely fine. She's a tough little pudding.

Wombat is now upstairs. A partition is in place for the girls and reintroductions can start again once everyone has calmed down. I can't give up on them but I'm also ultra alert regarding the risks.

Wombat being in the room is the only difference to have occurred at the same time as the fight. Floof has been obsessed with him since he arrived. Genuinely OBSESSED. She's been lurking outside his cage, pressed against his bars, they've been rumbling at each other, trying to chew through to each other. She ran to his cage every time she was let out. The weeks before he arrived she got on with Bumble superbly with absolutely no issues. They were perfect together.
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I'm sure it will all work out & I wish you the best of luck. Its hardly surprising you are on high alert, I was hovering like a fly when I tried to rebond my friends pigs & found it quite stressful! You obviously also have your neutered boar to consider as an option for bonding too (along with other possibilities) so don't feel too dispondent if the result for these ladies isn't as you'd hoped👍 keep us posted on how things go x
 
Darcey15 said:
I'm sure it will all work out & I wish you the best of luck. Its hardly surprising you are on high alert, I was hovering like a fly when I tried to rebond my friends pigs & found it quite stressful! You obviously also have your neutered boar to consider as an option for bonding too (along with other possibilities) so don't feel too dispondent if the result for these ladies isn't as you'd hoped👍 keep us posted on how things go x
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Thank you for your reassurance. May I ask what events occurred during your friend's piggy bonding issues and the last failed attempt?

We adopted Wombat because their bonding had gone so well! They've been inseparable (pardon the pun!) for over two weeks and we were excited to add a third piggy. They trotted around the house together. Slept cuddled up together. Ate together. Drank together. Everything! We were planning to introduce him once he'd met the 6 week requirement.

Bumble and Floof together in their fleece tunnel. (Bumble is the older, grumpy faced piggy.)
 

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AbbieMiddleton said:
Thank you for your reassurance. May I ask what events occurred during your friend's piggy bonding issues and the last failed attempt?

We adopted Wombat because their bonding had gone so well! They've been inseparable (pardon the pun!) for over two weeks and we were excited to add a third piggy. They trotted around the house together. Slept cuddled up together. Ate together. Drank together. Everything! We were planning to introduce him once he'd met the 6 week requirement.

Bumble and Floof together in their fleece tunnel. (Bumble is the older, grumpy faced piggy.)
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Cute picture ❤ oh it was not good. They had been separated briefly as my friend suspected one was bullying the other (a scratch on the back) but as she was new to piggies she thought she might have been a bit premature and maybe it was just dominance behaviour. I looked after them for a couple of weeks whilst she was away and I asked if she wanted me to try. So I did and at first they were eating side by side but very quickly it deteriorated into a full blown fight and I mean 2 balls of aggression which became 1. I separated before anyone was hurt and concluded that episode. My feather duster was on the front line, not my hands so just be really careful! I didn't dare leave the room & good job too! They now live happily in adjourning cages. At least now she knows for sure.

I have bonded 2 boars successfully before and there will be dominance behaviour which you need to let happen but this was something else altogether and it escalated very quickly...you'll know!

I dont know why its gone wrong but as Wombat has been added to the mix (even though not in with them) that might well have upset the apple cart.
 
Darcey15 said:
Cute picture ❤ oh it was not good. They had been separated briefly as my friend suspected one was bullying the other (a scratch on the back) but as she was new to piggies she thought she might have been a bit premature and maybe it was just dominance behaviour. I looked after them for a couple of weeks whilst she was away and I asked if she wanted me to try. So I did and at first they were eating side by side but very quickly it deteriorated into a full blown fight and I mean 2 balls of aggression which became 1. I separated before anyone was hurt and concluded that episode. My feather duster was on the front line, not my hands so just be really careful! I didn't dare leave the room & good job too! They now live happily in adjourning cages. At least now she knows for sure.

I have bonded 2 boars successfully before and there will be dominance behaviour which you need to let happen but this was something else altogether and it escalated very quickly...you'll know!

I dont know why its gone wrong but as Wombat has been added to the mix (even though not in with them) that might well have upset the apple cart.
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Thanks for the details. I'm very nervous about reintroduction but I think it's for the best as we only started adopting in the first place so Bumble wouldn't be left grieving and alone. 🙄

Hopefully removing Wombat for now will help. Thanks again for the advice. I'll be rereading everything repeatedly.
 
AbbieMiddleton said:
Thanks for the details. I'm very nervous about reintroduction but I think it's for the best as we only started adopting in the first place so Bumble wouldn't be left grieving and alone. 🙄

Hopefully removing Wombat for now will help. Thanks again for the advice. I'll be rereading everything repeatedly.
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You're welcome 😊 just shout if you need help, there are so many very experienced people on here who will help you. It's clear you love your pigs very much indeed x
 
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