Are My Boars In Trouble?

mshappy89

mshappy89

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Harry is nearly 2. Dudley is around 5 months old. They bonded very well initially and have been together since the end of November.

I heard a bit of a scuffle this morning. For around the last hour there has been constant chattering of teeth, a few lunges for each other but no contact made and lots of yawning from Dudley.

I know I shouldn't separate them unless blood is drawn but I am on tetherhooks. Meant to be going out for lunch but daren't leave the house.

I know Dudley is hitting his hormonal stage so this would of been coming.

Things call down then Dudley starts teeth chattering again
 
I have read the behaviour guides more than once this morning..nothing seems out of the ordinary but it's worrying to watch
 
mshappy89 said:
I have read the behaviour guides more than once this morning..nothing seems out of the ordinary but it's worrying to watch
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Yawning and lunging are mostly strongly worded 'stay away from me'. Your little one has obviously got a major homrone spike. If necessary put an divider in to let them cool down and then introduce again in their run once they have settled down again. They should just go back with each other if nothing serious has happened.

it's helped me couple of times when Nye was at his juiciest a year ago and the bond with Nosgan became strained. They are still together, by the way, despite a couple of separations when Nosgan cleaned was at the end of his tether.
 
It's the first time I've seen it despite reading about it here! I've popped out and things seemed calmer and less intense.
 
Wiebke said:
Yawning and lunging are mostly strongly worded 'stay away from me'. Your little one has obviously got a major homrone spike. If necessary put an divider in to let them cool down and then introduce again in their run once they have settled down again. They should just go back with each other if nothing serious has happened.

it's helped me couple of times when Nye was at his juiciest a year ago and the bond with Nosgan became strained. They are still together, by the way, despite a couple of separations when Nosgan cleaned was at the end of his tether.
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I usually work during the day but today is a day off. Maybe it's happened before but I've never seen it
 
I've just got home and things seem much calmer..no more teeth chattering and they can stand near one another again. The yawning has stopped too!

They had me worried!
 
mshappy89 said:
I've just got home and things seem much calmer..no more teeth chattering and they can stand near one another again. The yawning has stopped too!

They had me worried!
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Welcome to the world of teenage boars! They will hopefully not want to cross the line. It is easier when only one of them goes through the big hormones at any time and not both of them.
 
The older one has a tiny Mark under his fur..I am assuming it's from today's antics perhaps an accidental nip. They are cuddled up on my lap together currently. I'm guessing now things have calmed there is no to separate them
 
mshappy89 said:
The older one has a tiny Mark under his fur..I am assuming it's from today's antics perhaps an accidental nip. They are cuddled up on my lap together currently. I'm guessing now things have calmed there is no to separate them
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No! Separation is only needed when things are up at the limit and you can't supervise. Minor scratches are not serious bites and are not see as the result of a fight - the boars will generally tell you. They are usually shell shocked and with a very rigid body after a fight. if they are happy together again, then there is nothing the matter.
 
Hard to tell whether it's a scratch or bite. They do seek calmer now
 
mshappy89 said:
Hard to tell whether it's a scratch or bite. They do seek calmer now
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Just disinfect and do not worry!

My Nye ended up with several scratches and a glanced misjudged bite/nipping wound in his face during that time; they are still hanging out together most of the time! It happens to my sows, too, in the heat of a scuffle.
 
Wiebke said:
Welcome to the world of teenage boars! They will hopefully not want to cross the line. It is easier when only one of them goes through the big hormones at any time and not both of them.
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Wiebke said:
Just disinfect and do not worry!

My Nye ended up with several scratches and a glanced misjudged bite/nipping wound in his face during that time; they are still hanging out together most of the time! It happens to my sows, too, in the heat of a scuffle.
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They are back in their cage now and all seems normal :)
 
Things seem ok today. I've had a very long day at work so only just home. My bf has been in several times to check in on them

Had a tiny little bit of teeth chattering since I've been home but nothing on yesterday scale.

They seem quite cautious of one another..Is that normal?
 
mshappy89 said:
Things seem ok today. I've had a very long day at work so only just home. My bf has been in several times to check in on them

Had a tiny little bit of teeth chattering since I've been home but nothing on yesterday scale.

They seem quite cautious of one another..Is that normal?
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Yes; they may have a had a bit of a face-off or a minor dispute. A bit of teeth chattering is not too worrying.
You have to play the next months by ear; this is about the worst time for problems. So far, they do not seem to be going over the line.
 
Wiebke said:
Yes; they may have a had a bit of a face-off or a minor dispute. A bit of teeth chattering is not too worrying.
You have to play the next months by ear; this is about the worst time for problems. So far, they do not seem to be going over the line.
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I am maybe reading too much into it and being over cautious. They seem to know when to stop today. It's like there is an atmosphere but probably me thinking it
 
This is just s typical boar situation. Unless you see that there is a full blown fight (rolling furball in the air and a nasty injury) or you find one of them with proper bites from bullying or fighting then I would leave well alone. Boys will be boys.
 
VickiA said:
This is just s typical boar situation. Unless you see that there is a full blown fight (rolling furball in the air and a nasty injury) or you find one of them with proper bites from bullying or fighting then I would leave well alone. Boys will be boys.
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Thank you. The situation has been worrying me so much the last few days. It's the teeth chattering I hate and yawning to bare teeth
 
mshappy89 said:
Thank you. The situation has been worrying me so much the last few days. It's the teeth chattering I hate and yawning to bare teeth
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Teeth chattering and yawning are both actually on the milder side, and they are not aggressive, but in the first place defensive signals.
 
I work often 12 hours days so not there to keep an eye on them.

I guess all I can do is keep an eye and check them over when I am home each day
 
My boys teeth chatter and have a few episodes on a weekly basis - I've got used to it as I'm with them all day. It never escalates but I interfere sometimes by loudly talking about how naughty they are (especially Vinnie who rumblestruts wiTh vigor!) that tends to get their attention and they forget what they were doing and go back to hay munching lol As long as no blood is drawn, no major bites and they allow each other space to sleep and eat then all is well with your boys. I used to panic about everything but I am pretty much settled with the fact that they are not bosom buddies however they wouldn't choose to be without each other. Boars are tricky but so rewarding.
 
mshappy89 said:
Vicki any tips If I am not home day time
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We can’t watch them 24/7. I would just watch their behaviour when you are home. Don’t intervene unless you absolutely have to as once you’ve done it, there is no going back.
 
I've come home tonight all seemed okay. Little bit of teeth chattering and noticed the boys had a tiny bit of blood on them. No open cuts so wondering if was accidental
 
I don't want to separate them. They are both eating now so no worries there. They aren't particularly chasing each other. Blood has gone now so obviously not an open wound.

Just hoping things calm down
 
I wasn't woken overnight by any scuffles. Still teeth chattering this morning but fed them their veggies and they were eating fine together..no visible wounds or any blood.

I guess I have to keep persevering
 
I've moved the boys into a 6 by 2 c and c..the teeth chattering continues as does lunging for each other. No blood tho.

Then the next minute they are sat side by side eating
 
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