Wombat vs Piglet getting worse - please help!

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WombatnPiglet

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Hi

You might have read my posts before aboout Wombat and Piglet - they've been with us for a month but during that time Piglet, who was the dominant pig, got ill with a UTI (he's better now thank you) and so Wombat started making a move for the dominant pig slot.

We got them from a rescue who paired them - and originally they slept together, happily shared a food bowl and toys and got on great. When Piglet got ill Wombat started with the teeth chattering, and stand offs. We gave them each their own hideys, food bowls and a much larger kitchen area to eat in etc.

But today, once I'd cleaned out their cage, and put them back in, it got much worse, with Wombat chasting Piglet round with his nose up his bum, then starting mouting him. Piglet started making a high pitched screamy noise and ran into the pigloo, Wombat chased him in and the whole thing started to shake with rumbling and screaching inside.I picked up the pigloo to see if that would startle them into stopping, but they were face to face almost biting each other. I quickly pulled Wombat out and he's now in a vegetable box alongside the cage.

What do I do? Everytime I try to put Wombat back in he starts again - the chasing, mounting and nipping. Piglet just squeals and runs away until he's backed into a corner, and then he rears up and starts with the nipping.

I really need to know what to do as this is really stressful and upsetting (for us as well as for them!) Please help! malletheadgrrrr
 
What's happening with your boys now as I see your post is from quite a bit earlier today?

I'm not an expert by any stretch as it was this time last week I posted my own panic striken post but I may be able to suggest a few things that were recommended to me. are your boys back together at the moment or still separate?
 
Have you spoken to the rescue you got them from? Most reputable rescues offer lifetime support so they may be willing to help with rebonding. I am limited in experience of bonding boars but understand that it can take a lot of time for them to settle down. I've heard its normal for all the behaviour you have experienced and whilst it is worrying they need to sort it out between them. I've heard people saying that boars shouldn't be separated during this stage unless blood is drawn which usually indicates that they will not tolerate each other.
 
sometimes time of year can set them off too but does sound like they have some deciding to do on who is boss have you tried a dap spray or diffuser this can calm things a bit, get in touch with the rescue you got them from I am sure they will want to help
 
What is happening with your boys this morning?
Think the advice to ask the rescue for back up is good.
Does the pigloo have an entrance and an exit? I suspect it doesn't and personally I would take that out. You could replace it with a shoe box base with an entrance and an exit cut into it or peg up a small fleece as a hidey area rather than the pigloo. You don't want to have boxing in areas at all. My boys like to have an uninteruppted circuit to chase around - if that make sense.
Boars do lots of chasing and squeaking when being humped but only you can see exactly how aggressive the face off bits are so maybe the rescue can help you?
 
Sorry for the delay - fleece tent is up...

Hi

Sorry I haven't posted, things have been a bit crazy here.

We decided since there had only been nipping, and Piglet didn't seem hurt, that we'd put them back together after Piglet got some time out with us on the sofa. I did as you suggested and took out the pigloos and have covered one end of their cage with fleece so there's no where to get backed into. It does seem to be working - so thank you!

We have hand fed all veggies to make sure they're both getting enough and added a teddy to diffuse the situation. I'm keeping a close eye on them and they seem to be a little less stressed with each other.

I did call the rescue and she suggested that we should return them and she'd give us back our donation - but we've really fallen for them and my daughter would be heart broken if they left. We'll give them another couple of weeks and see if they settle down, if not then we might not have a choice, I don't want them to lose each other.
 
I am really glad that you have got them together again and things are a bit calmer. Fleece tent and teddy etc all sounds good. Please let us know how things are going tomorrow when they have had time to settle. Come on boys.

I was kind of hoping the rescue would offer practical advice and views/background on the particular pairing. I am sure you are very attached already so hope it does not come to you taking them back. Fingers are crossed.


Spookily nearly a 'snap' posting from 1stTimePiggieOwner at the same time! - we are all rooting for these boys to be friends
 
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I'm glad to hear that the boys are getting on better now. It may just be the time of year because from doing some reading after my own boys fall out last weekend, it seems that "Spring Hormones" are rife at the moment.

Just keep a close eye on them (that's what we're doing too) but if you notice them starting to get a bit carried away again, you could try bathing them together or giving them another little time out from each other, even just an hour apart can calm them down from what I've been told and what I've read.

I'll keep everything crossed that they can work through their differences.
 
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