Two boers both displaying dominance?

isabelbella

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 24, 2021
Messages
29
Reaction score
8
Points
70
Location
united kingdom
So i've had my two young boers for just over a month now (they are about 3 and a half months old) and up until today Alaska has been the dominant boy and Coconut has been much more timid and submissive. But today I've noticed that Coconut has been mounting Alaska (or at least attempting to) and acting more dominant. However Alaska is still showing dominant behaviours such as strutting around the enclosure. They also seem to be 'bickering' more and seem to be getting on each others nerves a bit. I'm not sure if its just that they are temporarily in a bit of a smaller cage (their new cage should be arriving in a day or two which is about 3 times bigger than the current cage) which has caused them to fight a bit more over the space. They haven't drawn any blood or caused any physical harm to each other, but I'm watching them closely to make sure nothing serious happens.

I'm just not sure if this is normal to happen with boers? where both are displaying some dominant behaviours. It is such a big change for Coconut over the past couple days. Yesterday he was timid and submissive as usual, but today is acting more dominant. Hopefully the larger cage arriving very soon will sort it out a bit, if not i suppose i would have to separate them.
 
It sounds as if the hormones are kicking in for them both. Mounting and rumbling are mild dominance, sizing up to each other behaviours. They need to be able to sort out between them which one is dominant and which one submissive. If they can do this, then they will be fine.
If they can’t, and both want to be dominant and neither backs down, then that is when things escalate and they may not be able to continue living together. It’s a case of watch for now but be prepared to step in if they don’t sort things out.

Be careful when you move them to their new cage. The new cage will also cause an increase in dominance as it is a new territory and any new territory causes them to reestablish themselves. Ensure you use soiled bedding from their current cage in the new cage so they can still recognise it as their space.
Ensure all hideys have two exits and that there is two of every item.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
 
Back
Top