Worried About My Boar's Excessive Dominance Behaviour

[badger2503]

Hi, I got my two boars last week. They were a bonded pair, and had lived together for at least a month previously and seemed happy together when I visited. After I adopted them, there was some fairly standard piggy dominance behaviour from Django, which I totally expected since it's a new environment and they were establishing who's boss. Lots of rumbling, particularly if Lemmy got in his space and a bit of chasing. Django is definitely the aggressor but Lemmy never seems to challenge back and always runs off/makes distressed squeaks.

They are also both three months :/
I read all of the threads on boars bullying/fighting and dominance behaviour. They did have access to a larger space than their ferplast 120 but they kept jumping back in their cage and didn't want to leave lol
They have two of everything on opposite ends of the cage, loads of hay etc.

Today the behaviour seems to have escalated. There was lots of teeth chattering from both of them and a bit more purposeful chasing from Django and skittish fleeing from Lemmy. Django puts his face towards Lemmy as though to nip but he doesn't. Then it was noses up and Django LUNGED at him. I caught it on video but the file was too big to upload on here. I didn't see teeth but I rewatched the video and for a split second his mouth is open. He was then on his hind legs, lunged a couple nore times but not as extreme.

Lemmy just wanted to get away during this. He kept moving to the opposite end of the cage to keep out of his way but Django follows him. Lemmy is never the aggressor but Django seems to be always picking a fight. Is this behaviour normal or extreme? I've read all of the tips on here and other sites but I can't judge if this is abnormal and an issue. Obviously I don't want to separate them. Will this behaviour stop eventually? Is there cause for concern here?

 

[snuffsandpumps]

Hello!
Wow, that sounds soooo similar to the situation I was in at the beginning! It is normal for their to be one dominant pig- however keep an eye on the teeth chattering. Hope this helps.

 

[badger2503]

Hello!
Wow, that sounds soooo similar to the situation I was in at the beginning! It is normal for their to be one dominant pig- however keep an eye on the teeth chattering. Hope this helps.

Hi thanks for replying! What did you do? Did they settle down on their own? I know that Django is definitely the dominant piggy, he just seems to be going out of his way to pick a fight! I'm just worried about it escalating I don't want any injuries

 

[Redribbon]

I've been through similar with my boys from six to eight months and it's easing up. I found distracting them with more hay or different toys and daily exercise on the grass has really helped frustrations. Making the most of the warm weather at the minute, I put the boys out on the grass from before 6am for an hour and half every day before I go to work. (Not when its damp tho).
I've noticed a big difference in Angus's pursuit of Stan, he still tries briefly to chase but then loses interest.
So distraction and wearing them out are good tips for happy pigs - think teenage hormones!
Stick with it and good luck!

 

[snuffsandpumps]

Hi! Well, I tried a few different methods. When you cuddle them, pick up one at a time. Otherwise they may fight for your attention. Also try getting them both out at the same time for a run around in your house. Keep an eye on them as they like nooks and crannies! Snuffles (my less dominant pig) has slowly got more courageous, keeping off Pumpkin. Here are some things to look out for......

• Loud squeaks and following each other
• Feeding close to each other
• Grooming each others faces
• Mount each other or make a gentle rumbling

These are all good signs. Also another piece of advice- have plenty of hiding places, i.e. houses, tunnels and large piles of hay to hide in, so the boys can get away from each other. This is a piece of information I collected in my first weeks as an owner, and it is a really good one. A good site from which to purchase cage accessories is Pets at home-

petsathome.com/
Have some chew toys too, so your pigs can relieve their fighting instinct by biting something other than a fellow pig! If they look as if they are going to launch into a fight, throw a blanket over them, as this confuses them completely. Treat them both the same, and DO NOT show any favouritism. When feeding them, hand feed them the first few pieces, so you can stop them from arguing over food. Hope this helps.

Snuffsandpumps