Baby and adult boar

Natasha baker

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Hi... Iv followed this group for a while but only just joined to leave a post... A while ago I adopted a 2 year old boar on the hope he would live with my 2 sows.. but my eldest sow did not like him at all and Norman (boar) spent his days hiding in the corner, when he came out for food he was instantly jumped on by my sow, so I took the decision to separate but they still lived next door, they can still smell, see, lick noses and hear each other, and all seemed happy, but I decided to try a baby boar so Norman wasn’t “alone” he’s been here nearly 3 weeks now, the first week was smooth they got along fine, the last week had been awful, I knew to expect the normal dominance behaviour, and we have had all of that, but today the baby was being his crazy self and jumped at Norman, who was so scared he tried to jump out the cage landing back on his side, as far as I can tell his not hurt! Iv partitioned the cage just to give Norman time to chill, again can both see, smell and hear each other. So.. my question is should I take the partition out or should I leave it in? I really just want happy piggies!
 
When you say crazy what exactly has he been doing? Aside from humping at Norman? Was he teeth chattering or anything else like that? And was Norman squeaking in submission? Was it just that once he jumped at him?

Sometimes a separation of a few days can settle whatever it is that’s going on. But when you re-introduce you have to do it on neutral ground rather than just remove the divider. That will cause them to feel their territory has invaded. Cue instant ‘back up’ reaction. You also need to clean out the cage thoroughly and rearrange before moving them back in. What you have to be careful about is separating too soon. If it was one incident then you did jump the gun.

Have a read of the guides below as well and see where the young boy sits with regards his dominance behaviour. Unfortunately it’s not guaranteed that they would get on just because he’s so young. It’s about whether they like each other. I hope they settle after the separation.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
 
:agr: Hopefully it was a one off isolated incident caused by an excited baby. I would put them back together. Hopefully Norman is not hurt by the incident.

Are the boar pair still within smelling distance of the sows? For a boar pair, being in the presence of sows can cause problems for them and their relationship
 
Thank you both for your reply... there not separated as in Iv taken either out of there cage, I have literally just slid a cage panel in, it’s only been there about an hour, not sure they have even realised. Norman was chattering his teeth, and does when ever the Wilson is near him, Wilson just runs around popcorning, do have teeth chattering from him but not as often as Norman.
 
:agr: Hopefully it was a one off isolated incident caused by an excited baby. I would put them back together. Hopefully Norman is not hurt by the incident.

Are the boar pair still within smelling distance of the sows? For a boar pair, being in the presence of sows can cause problems for them and their relationship
I did wonder about this! Yes there next door! I’m waiting for a new C and c cage to come and then there be totally separate.
 
Make sure that you house your boars in a separate room to your sows as the smell of the sows can cause tension between your boars and they could end up fighting. If not in a separate room then as far away as possible.

Teeth chattering is normal dominance behaviour and only if it is accompanied with lunging and persistent swaying of the hips should you be concerned.

I’d definitely remove the partition and keep an eye on them
 
If they’re to be in the same room you have to house the boars above the sows. And deal with the boars first, always. Is there any way you could put them in a separate room or table above the sows?
 
We have a new cage coming, a double decker C and c.. and the boys will live on top, at the moment there all in 3 Midwest put together and separated, I have a spare cage in the shed I will get it in and move everyone around... it’s been non stop this afternoon, the baby running around after Norman both chutting teeth and jumping for each other.
 
I have just got baby out to check and he’s got a bite mark on his neck... it wasn’t there when I checked him last night.. so must of happened since then, he’s so fluffy it’s hard to see :(
 
Yes I’d be quite concerned that they aren’t compatible if you are finding bite marks and they are lunging at each other
 
Sorry to hear it hasn't worked out. Please bear in mind it's not your doing. They're complex little things!

What size is the double decker c&c? The boys will need to be in a 120x60cm (or 2x4) cage each. I don't know if that would work with the one you're getting. If you have space, you could put them on the floor next to each other.
 
It’s such a shame.. there both sick sweet little boys ♥ yeah I think that is what I will do, I just want to be happy.
 
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