Upset piggies :(

[Cheryl]

I lost one of my boys this time last week so now I have just the 2 living together. They are brothers and have always been together and when there was 3 of them they got on really well. However since one of them has gone the other 2 dont seem to be getting on as well They arent fighting but there is lots of teeth chattering and one of them is constantly chasing the other around. When ever he lays down the other keeps nudging him and biting his bum. There is lots of loud squeeking going on too.

Is this because they are trying to establish who is the dominante one now they have lost their brother? I am a bit worried this is going to progress and they will end up fighting.

Is there anything I can do or am I best leaving them to it?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[Wiebke]

I am sorry for your loss!

Your boys are busy re-establishing the hierarchy. Was the boy that passed away by any chance the top boar? In that case, dominance will be much stronger - there is more at stake.

Please keep an eye on the situation, but hopefully it will die down again eventually once the new hierarchy has been established and a new balance has been found. How old are your two boys?

Here is a very good link to boar behaviours in order of aggression: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

 

[Cheryl]

Thanks for your reply

TBH I didnt think shuffle (the one I lost) was top pig. It has always seemed to be the smaller of the 3 brothers that has been the most dominant and he is the one that is doing all the chasing around at the moment.

The boys are coming up to 3 years old. I have only had them about 4 months, they are from a rescue centre.

I have been keeping an eye on them and I will continue to do so. I'm really hoping they settle down.

Thanks for the link there is some very useful info in there