bad smells and narkiness

[fred'n'ted]

I have two boars which are around a year old now. Over the past few months they smell horrendous and even the day after i have cleaned them. I am at a loss what to do as they make my house smell of poo!

I have also noticed that one is climbing on the back of the other and there is alot of face to face growling. They sometimes block each other from getting in their house and chase each other making a purring/chattering noise. Is this normal? Is the smell marking territory?

Please help.

 

[Abi_nurse]

The smell may be just a usual 'boar' smell. Probably made worse by them being dominant.

All of the behaviour your descibing is dominance, have a look at this thread and it may help with explanations.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

The most important thing you need to do is make sure that they are both eating and one isnt bullying the other so much that he isnt eating. It may be a good idea to put two of everything in there house. Two hideys (iglus) and two bottles and two bowls of food etc.

What size hutch/cage do your piggies live in? Size of hutch can make a difference, the bigger the better and the less likely for them to bother each other.

x

 

[fred'n'ted]

they in 46cm by 100cm indoor hutch. Think i may try two of each things however when i put two houses in they tended to go in same one plus it leaves no space

 

[Abi_nurse]

There house is 3.2 by 1.5 feet, this is a bit too small for two piggies. This may be part of the problem with them fighting. The RSPCA advise that two piggie should have a 4 by 2 foot hutch as a minimal. Unfortunatly a lot of pet shops sell hutches and cages far too small for guinea pigs and rabbits. Any chance you could get a bigger hutch?

x.