Agonising Decision On Splitting Up

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Hank288

Hank288

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I got both of my boys separately and then bonded them together, they are around 2 years old (not to sure as both came from suspect situations), they are definitely fully grown though so it is not teenage hormones. The bonding went really well, no humping at all, just some chasing, chattering and yawning and the occasional little nip.
They were first in a 120 cage and were doing fine but I got sick of the cage and put them into a 2x4 c and c bedded on fleece.
Just to make it clear they have never had a full fight mostly just disagreements.

Forward to now about 10 weeks later one of my boys Harley will not leave cookie alone, they have still never done any humping of each other he just keeps chasing him. It appears that Harley is bullying Cookie, he won't let him go in the hides (there are 3 in the cage and none with only one exit), Harley is especially protective over his favourite hide. Basically he just keeps chasing and a bit of nipping and lots of teeth chattering. Cookie seems to be petrified and his go to move is to jump into the hay tray and then Harley comes over and chatters and forces his nose up.
They only time they are the calmest with each other is during veg time (or if they are asleep), they will even steal food from each others mouth. Then Harley will get it on him and move too close to Cookie who is so scared and just runs away and is reluctant to come back to eat his veg ( I normally just end up hand feeding him).
I am so confused as to what to do for the best. I know the advice would be to split only if they have had a fight. Harley is a happy little soul and I think he likes the company of another pig but Cookie is just so scared of him. I just want what is best for both of them.

Any help appreciated as only ever had girls before. Need advice.
 
The pushing of the chin up is just dominance if you can i ad extend your C&C that would help. Also put long cardboard or fleece tunnels and it's still better to leave them together, unless they draw blood.
Once you split them, they won't go back together, then you would need to get friends for them both.
I'm going through the same thing at the moment but mine is hormonal.
 
I am mostly concerned for Cookie's happiness as he just seems so so scared of him and runs to me for reassurance. I just don't want Cookie to feel like he can't move round his cage because every time he does Harley chases him back to the hay tray. Cookie does also have patches of hair missing and little bumps on his back but can't tell if this is from the nipping or if it is because of his scratching. Being treated currently for suspected mites.
 
If you thing he is being bullied, I'd separate them. We have just separated ours. It's heartbreaking when one gets bullied.
 
My Edward was a group of 3 boars before he came to me. From what I understand, he was bullied from his two brothers which is why he was separated although I don't know the full story. @pig in the city will know more.

But I can say that Edward is much happier now living with his two wives.

I hope you can come to a solution xx
 
Hank288 said:
I got both of my boys separately and then bonded them together, they are around 2 years old (not to sure as both came from suspect situations), they are definitely fully grown though so it is not teenage hormones. The bonding went really well, no humping at all, just some chasing, chattering and yawning and the occasional little nip.
They were first in a 120 cage and were doing fine but I got sick of the cage and put them into a 2x4 c and c bedded on fleece.
Just to make it clear they have never had a full fight mostly just disagreements.

Forward to now about 10 weeks later one of my boys Harley will not leave cookie alone, they have still never done any humping of each other he just keeps chasing him. It appears that Harley is bullying Cookie, he won't let him go in the hides (there are 3 in the cage and none with only one exit), Harley is especially protective over his favourite hide. Basically he just keeps chasing and a bit of nipping and lots of teeth chattering. Cookie seems to be petrified and his go to move is to jump into the hay tray and then Harley comes over and chatters and forces his nose up.
They only time they are the calmest with each other is during veg time (or if they are asleep), they will even steal food from each others mouth. Then Harley will get it on him and move too close to Cookie who is so scared and just runs away and is reluctant to come back to eat his veg ( I normally just end up hand feeding him).
I am so confused as to what to do for the best. I know the advice would be to split only if they have had a fight. Harley is a happy little soul and I think he likes the company of another pig but Cookie is just so scared of him. I just want what is best for both of them.

Any help appreciated as only ever had girls before. Need advice.
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I would try to see how things stand between the two boars with a trial separation with divided grids. If Cookie perks up noticeably as soon as Harley cannot get at him, then you are dealing with a bullying situation. If not, the bond is still viable.

Extending the cage is certainly an option, especially with the view that you can split it if necessary.

Please take the time to read the details on trial separations and re-introductions: Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
Claire W said:
My Edward was a group of 3 boars before he came to me. From what I understand, he was bullied from his two brothers which is why he was separated although I don't know the full story. @pig in the city will know more.

But I can say that Edward is much happier now living with his two wives.

I hope you can come to a solution xx
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That's right he was bullied by his brothers. Constant bullying can affect their health long term. But l agree with trying to extend the cage so that they have their own space. Maybe a loft so the bullied pig can escape. Have tunnels and 2 of everything, food bowls, water bottles. Hopefully they will settle down, its relatively early days x
 
One of my boys has mites at the moment and when I went to the vets she said to me that they can get grouchy with each other when they have mites. I would wait for the mites treatment to finish and then see how it goes. It could be that they both have mites and are getting upset with the itching!
 
So after another few time watching them closely and Harley lunging at Cookie a few more times and I have checked Cookie and he has bit marks on him I separated them. Today after cleaning them out I put up a divider in the cage so that they could still see and talk to each other. Cookie was very happy with this arrangement and was squeaking and popcorning. Harley however was quite distressed and was biting at the bars and sticking his nose through squeaking trying to get back with Cookie. I gave then each some treats and then went out for the day. Came home to check and they had broken down the barrier and were both sat squeaking at me.
Honestly can't live with each other and can't live without each other.
 
Hank288 said:
So after another few time watching them closely and Harley lunging at Cookie a few more times and I have checked Cookie and he has bit marks on him I separated them. Today after cleaning them out I put up a divider in the cage so that they could still see and talk to each other. Cookie was very happy with this arrangement and was squeaking and popcorning. Harley however was quite distressed and was biting at the bars and sticking his nose through squeaking trying to get back with Cookie. I gave then each some treats and then went out for the day. Came home to check and they had broken down the barrier and were both sat squeaking at me.
Honestly can't live with each other and can't live without each other.
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Welcome to the weird world of piggies. Just make sure that Cookie is OK.
 
Oh yes I am well aware of the crazy world that is guinea pigs. The 5 girls are strange enough.
I have checked him over and he is the same as he was this morning when I had him out.
I have managed to find Harley a new home for a months time so I will be looking to separate him into a cage in the shed where the girls live. Then I am going to try Cookie with a baby boar and see how they get along.
Wow boys can be so fussy, love them to bits though.
 
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