2 boars & 2 levels!

[Lplplp]

Hi all,

New to the forum, but not particularly new to guinea pigs, having had them throughout my childhood. However, we have a new set-up for my new guys, Bertie and Jeeves.

They are both now 12 weeks old, and we recently moved them into a 2 story hutch to give them more ‘alone time’ than in a single one, due to available floor space.

They are taking a lot longer to get tame than I remember previous pigs, but not sure if it’s just because my house is a lot quieter than when I last had pigs (I.e. family house growing up vs a house of 2 of us). Because of this, they are not spending time out / in a run, as I’m slowly building their confidence (this week they started chatting / asking for food when I come home), but this means they are not stretching their legs as much as I would like (I.e normally/preferably I would have them out at least 2/3 hours a day).

Last night was an absolute nightmare in terms of dominance fighting (chasing each other and nipping for 3 hours, until about midnight - when they’re normal asleep from about 10), and then same again from 5am to about 8am this morning . It’s getting to the point where they either fight, or spend their whole time one on one level and the other on another!

Does anyone have any thoughts on what to do next?

I don’t want to split them up, as think they do just need running space - but then from everything I’m reading, it’s more about building confidence slowly, and each time I get them out, our taming progress falls back about 2 or 3 steps!

Thanks!

 

[DM030819]

@Lplplp Them bonding with each other is more important than them bonding with you at the moment, so if you can offer more space then please do so. Smaller cages means fights are more likely to happen.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum
Please let us see pictures.
Hope the bonding works out - it can be stressful for the humans

 

[Livia Rabideau]

The more space for boys the better! Two of everything helps too. Food dishes, hideys, water bottles, etc... Hope everything works out!

 

[Kindness]

I would say to seperate them but only with a mesh divider, keep them on one level only so they can get used to each other, everyday swap them over so no one can claim territory. Scrub the hutch to remove all scents good luck x

 

[Lplplp]

In the fighting today, poor old Bertie (ginger) has suspected broken foot, so on the vet’s recommendation i’m having them separate, but split by mesh, until his limping reduces

We have double everything, feed the dominant one (Jeeves - Black/mixed) first when hand feeding, and basically are trying to let them get in with their lives (I.e. not interrupting the nipping/chasing) and not getting them out unless necessary (cleaning/putting in run), until they are more trusting of us.

Poor old Bertie - first trip to the vets and a thermometer up the bum and 2 injections!

 

[Merab]

Poor boys - poor Bertie.
Hope it works out.
Sounds as if you’re doing everything you possibly can for them

 

[Siikibam]

Poor Bertie, hope he gets better soon. Hopefully it’s just a sprain. May I ask how their hutch is? Is it outside with an attached run?

 

[Betsy]

Poor Bertie, hope he gets better soon. Hopefully it’s just a sprain. May I ask how their hutch is? Is it outside with an attached run?

It would help if you could post a piccie of the run so we can understand your set up better @Lplplp.

 

[Lady Kelly]

If the ramp in the hutch has an exposed side then I would recommend putting a wooden side on to it so they can't jump/fall off too high up which can injure them (happened to Lily when she was a baby before I took her in). I have the chartwell 6ft 2 storey and we added a side to the ramp early on

 

[Lplplp]

It’s indoor - as eventually they’ll be free-range in our kitchen - I’ve take the mesh away now, to see how they’re getting on and typically are fine when they’re together. It was 2 story (i’d Adjusted the ramp to make it piggie friendly - I.e - a side and towelled for grip!).

They’re now broadly ok in their cage, just an occasional early morning squeal, but it’s now when they’re in their run (indoor or out) they are showing proper signs of dominance.

Last night was a battle in their - Bertie was wee squirting, Jeeves was trying to mount Bertie, both were nipping at each other and then popcorning in a sort of intimidation type way. It didn’t get too out of hand, but I had to cut the fun short.

Think Bertie is feeling more himself and has decided he’s not up to being the submissive!

 

[Siikibam]

Hopefully they settle down soon. Just don’t separate unless blood is drawn.

 

[Pigwhisperer]

The run could be a like a new territory where they have to reassert their dominance, if it doesn't have familiar-smelling things from the hutch. I found that with my girls.