2 young boars, are they playing or building up to a fight.

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scottymac

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Hi,
Myself and my partner purchased 2 eight week old boars around 2 weeks ago. Whilst not related, they had been together since they were around 4 weeks old and were kept with 2 other boars in the pet shop until we purchased them.
Pretty much from day one, they didnt seem to get along too well but most of it seemed to just be a battle for dominance. Two weeks later they either totally ignore each other or the smaller one tries to go and snuggle up to the bigger one but gets purred at / growled at and he squeaks and runs away. recently, about 11:30 every night they suddenly go crazy, taking it in turns to chase after each other, only stopping to popcorn all over the place. The smaller one never growls / purrs, he just squeaks, but the bigger one does rumblestrut quite a lot. The strange thing is that when the larger one starts rumblestrutting, the smaller one just runs at him, squealing a bit. Then, to confuse me more, they both start popcorning! I'm confused, part of their behaviour indicates they're about to start fighting, the other seems to be saying they are content. is this normal young boar behaviour? Thanks for any help. Scott

Th
 
Rumblestrutting is a very mild dominance, and won't threaten the other boar. It's like teenage boys strutting their stuff and puffing out their chest - not aggressive, more showing off. The fact they're popcorning afterwards just confirms that they're happy wee dudes, and it sounds like they're content enough to be together. The squealing is a submissive noise, so looks like you know who's won the dominance battle, and, more importantly, so do they. Pictures would be geat :nod:
 
I agree with @Reenie that your boys sound quite happy.
They both appear to have worked out their roles (one dominant, one submissive) and their behaviour is just their way of showing each otehr which role they have. The squealing is the non dominant boy just showing he is no threat and accepts the others leadership. The rumble strutting is the dominant boar making sure everyone knows who is boss.
Plus some boys just like to rumble strut!

A good place to start is here:
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

Welcome to the Forum. It is lovely to have you on board. :wel:
 
:agr:
You’ll know if things are about to turn nasty. It does sound like they are just sorting themselves out and having fun. Don’t worry!
Swissgreys is right, some boars do it for fun. I have two approx 19 month old boars, one is the king of rumblestrutting for fun!
 
scottymac said:
Hi,
Myself and my partner purchased 2 eight week old boars around 2 weeks ago. Whilst not related, they had been together since they were around 4 weeks old and were kept with 2 other boars in the pet shop until we purchased them.
Pretty much from day one, they didnt seem to get along too well but most of it seemed to just be a battle for dominance. Two weeks later they either totally ignore each other or the smaller one tries to go and snuggle up to the bigger one but gets purred at / growled at and he squeaks and runs away. recently, about 11:30 every night they suddenly go crazy, taking it in turns to chase after each other, only stopping to popcorn all over the place. The smaller one never growls / purrs, he just squeaks, but the bigger one does rumblestrut quite a lot. The strange thing is that when the larger one starts rumblestrutting, the smaller one just runs at him, squealing a bit. Then, to confuse me more, they both start popcorning! I'm confused, part of their behaviour indicates they're about to start fighting, the other seems to be saying they are content. is this normal young boar behaviour? Thanks for any help. Scott

Th
Click to expand...

Hi! Your boys are just being normal boys who do a bit of daily throwing their weight around (rumblstrutting, chasing) which is properly answered by some submission squeaking, then they go to play and have fun together!

No worries whatsoever. If it ever gets serious, you will recognise the difference. The level of tension is so obviously something else.
Please take the time to read these guides here, which you will find very helpful in understanding what is going on and how you can minimise the risk of problems.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
 
My boars do exactly the same! I think i actually posted the same question as you.. :-) Still there has been no real fight. So it seems to just be their thing.. :-)
 
Boys eh!, who’d have them 😁 The hierarchy thing can’t continue for two weeks, particularly as they moved to a new environment. They’ll settle down soon enough, before the teenage months hit and you have the occasional hormone spike!
 
thanks to all of you for your replies, have really helped me stop worrying. We're 3 weeks in now, they've adopted all the stereotype behaviour of wheeking every time the fridge door opens or a plastic bag gets rustled. Kinda frustrated that they are still utterly terrified of us at all times, but hey, they're guinea pigs, goes with the territory. They do take food from our hands so progress is being made, slowly! Here's the pics: 1st one is Gary with my other half, 2nd one is Jesus (as in the spanish pronunciation "heyzeus". no, we're not spanish but michelle has ruled out me calling any of our future children jesus, so the guinea pig got it). Apologies for pic quality, will post better ones when i get the chance (I'm a wildlife photographer so feel ashamed at posting these 😂).
gary.webpjesus.webp
 
What adorable piggies.
Looking forward to some outstanding professional pics when they’re settled.
3 weeks isn’t long - it took me nearly 6 months before Phoebe stopped diving for cover every time I approached.
Now she’s there standing on her hind legs to grab the first bit of morning lettuce.
It takes a lot of love and patience
 
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