Angry? Help!

[Barnyard Boars]

i’ve just introduced my new Skinny (Aprox 1 month) to my guonea pig (aprox over a year) and notice hostility and teeth chattering, are they just establishing a pecking order? The noises seem happy otherwise but Harvey is really on him.

 

[Tiamolly123]

Although I'm not quite sure on this, it does sound as though one is being threatened. Keep a close eye on them. If they start fighting & blood is drawn, you must separate them straight away. If there is blood drawn don't put them together again. If you go on to the forums, there is a thread on bonding there. Good luck

 

[DM030819]

They need to work out who is top pig. Bonding can be a stressful time for all involved but hopefully your two will sort it out soon and become friends.

 

[Barnyard Boars]

They're not as hostile now that I've made the cage bigger, they're both munching away on hay and veg and still chasing but not as aggressive.

 

[Wiebke]

i’ve just introduced my new Skinny (Aprox 1 month) to my guonea pig (aprox over a year) and notice hostility and teeth chattering, are they just establishing a pecking order? The noises seem happy otherwise but Harvey is really on him.

It sounds like a spot of fear-aggression. Teeth chattering is not an uncommon reaction when a piggy is unsure. It means 'I don't like this'. Have you given them time to get used to each other through the bars for a few days first?

Please take the time to carefully read this guide there. It discusses the different phases of and the behaviours you can expect in each phase. Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

 

[Barnyard Boars]

Thank you! No I didn’t let them do that, everywhere I’ve read doesn’t say to do that so I wasn’t aware. I thought washing everything in my piggies cage was enough to make it “not his territory” but I was wrong, they’re now in the bathroom with lots of food and they’re almost, cuddled up? They seem to be getting along really well now, with the odd chase but no chattering or mounting anymore. I was just going to leave them together in there for a few hours while I wash the bedding in the cage again and wash the cage down a second time but better.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you! No I didn’t let them do that, everywhere I’ve read doesn’t say to do that so I wasn’t aware. I thought washing everything in my piggies cage was enough to make it “not his territory” but I was wrong, they’re now in the bathroom with lots of food and they’re almost, cuddled up? They seem to be getting along really well now, with the odd chase but no chattering or mounting anymore. I was just going to leave them together in there for a few hours while I wash the bedding in the cage again and wash the cage down a second time but better.

I would recommend to leave them overnight in the bathroom if possible and then transfer them back to the rearranged cage tomorrow when they are over the rough bit of the dominance. That way, feelings won't start up again as soon as you put them in the cage.

 

[Barnyard Boars]

Great, I’ll do that! Thank you! When will I be able to start adding housing back?

 

[Barnyard Boars]

My baby almost seems to be frozen in fear despite no arguments in the bathroom. Is this normal? He just appears quite freaked out and hasn't moved spots in like 30 mins.

 

[Barnyard Boars]

I'm a little worried the bathrooms a little too cold for the baby also

 

[Wiebke]

Great, I’ll do that! Thank you! When will I be able to start adding housing back?

Have you got a stool or something low with open sides that you can drape a towel over and make sure that they are warm overnight? It should be something they cannot get possessive over and that they can get in and out of in any direction. If you can have two of these improvised tents, that would be even better.

Generally with boars the crucial point is how they get on when they wake up from their first nap together and realise that they are not alone.

If baby is still frozen, then interaction and bonding has not yet happened. You need to give that time.
You can call it off now and give it another go tomorrow when you have all day because bonding has not yet happened. Normally you do not interrupt a boar bond, but they don't seem to have got very far.

 

[Barnyard Boars]

Heats taken care of I’ve found a space heater to warm the room.

 

[Barnyard Boars]

I can leave them in there as long as need be if that’ll help? Should I stay out of the bathroom all together? I just keep peaking in to make sure all is well; they just seem to be hanging out munching on some hay. Only thing worrying me about them in the bathroom is I have no where for their water bottle and know how critical it is for them to have, not sure what to do there.

 

[Barnyard Boars]

Also yes I just realized I have something that’d be perfect to make an open hide out out of

 

[Wiebke]

Also yes I just realized I have something that’d be perfect to make an open hide out out of

Just put the water bottle in there or to one side and keep peeking through the door. I would put the towel over a bit later and let them get on with without hidey for as long as possible.

 

[Barnyard Boars]

I have a ‘locker shelf’ that I’ve thrown a towel over and they’re loving it. Nothing but happy noises and seemingly playing. Little guy is moving again and they’re munching away. Open on both sides for them to run through, they seem quite happy! And the bathrooms warmed up quick with the heater.