Barbering

Linzig33

Linzig33

Junior Guinea Pig
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35F5E330-A350-4C13-B53F-5BDF1382BCE1.webp DD04A0C4-B01D-4B3C-A11F-ADFEF3B22816.webp Hello! Sorry to post what is probably one of a hundred posts about barbering but I would appreciate some advice. I have read posts on it and the reasons as to why it may be happening. My two 11-13 week old board (Iv had them for 5 weeks) seem to have settled great. They are in a fleece/hay c&c cage which is 5ft by 2ft so plenty of free space for each boy. They have a house where one (the less dominant) likes to sleep/run too while the other more dominant one likes to sleep on top of. They have two of everything as advised and seem to get on ok. I have noticed dominance behaviours but nothing of concern (yet). I will post pics of my boys hair! They are both supposed to have long hair but as you will notice they both have lovely self made layers haha. Since they both have it I’m guessing it’s by one boy or self inflicted? Any advise on whether they may be suffering or even some reassurance that they may just do this and to enjoy to shorter hair Guineas? Thank you :)
 
Barbering ( Eating Hair)
Hope this link helps. I have a barbering situation at the moment too. I think my semi long hair 1 year old boar is being barbered by his new 14 week old cage mate as I can't see how Bracken would reach the places that have been barbered himself. I've seen no aggression between them at all and think the baby is doing it for comfort or possibly dominance. Poor Bracken who had a lovely skirt and upstanding peacock tail is looking very ragged at the moment, just hoping Rusty grows out of this.
 
Thank you, I had a read at that and it was very helpful. I’m the same, wondering if it’s is dominance behaviour but concerned if it’s boredom? I try my best to keep them occupied but it seems the barbering is getting worse. My two only seem to have it along each side which makes me think they do it to themselves? I had to cut the top of one of their coat because a big long tuft had been left. Hope your little ones hair grows back to a lovely long coat, I’m sure they’re gorgeous either way :)
 
In my experience, when it's done by young piggies, they just grow out of it. When Maia was a baby, she barberred Rosie so much he was browsless and whisterkless for weeks. I think it's something they do for comfort, a bit like a baby sucking their thumb.
 
Lady Kelly said:
My Donald lost his long lucious locks less than two weeks in to living with Willow and Daisy. Now with Lily as his 3rd wife he gets kept with a short top and sides but being sensible girls they stay away from his bum hair :))
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Hahaha clever little girls! Ok that’s a relief then as it seems to be quite a common thing! I was drawn to my twos lovely long hair and rosettes but will have to live with the amateur hairdressing attempts
 
RosieMaia said:
In my experience, when it's done by young piggies, they just grow out of it. When Maia was a baby, she barberred Rosie so much he was browsless and whisterkless for weeks. I think it's something they do for comfort, a bit like a baby sucking their thumb.
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If only there comfort was a little bit nearer hahaha. My two now look like little scruffy homeless boys! Haha. Maybe once they hit teenagehood they’ll want to keep themselves a little more kemp?!
 
Hopefully!

Although, having a peruvian sow who hates brushing, haircuts and baths, I sort of envy you. I wish she'd take care of her hair on her own, it would save both of us a lot of frustration.
 
RosieMaia said:
Hopefully!

Although, having a peruvian sow who hates brushing, haircuts and baths, I sort of envy you. I wish she'd take care of her hair on her own, it would save both of us a lot of frustration.
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Ah yes it does disappoint me that they don't touch his bum. I would rather from his side's myself rather than his messy bum lol
 
Linzig33 said:
Hahaha clever little girls! Ok that’s a relief then as it seems to be quite a common thing! I was drawn to my twos lovely long hair and rosettes but will have to live with the amateur hairdressing attempts
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It is a relief that it's quite common isn't it, also that this baby comfort thing will be grown out of (hopefully). My lovely black and tan abyruvian looks like an aby at the moment!
The funny thing is little Rusty who was partly given a home because he was a short haired smooth and hopefully going to be easier to look after in the grooming department is now growing a skirt :yikes:.
 
Betsy has a skirt if I let it grow that is. When she gets uncomfortable with brushing I give her a very fashionable wedge cut at the back. She gives me the silent treatment for a few days afterwards but soon gets used to it.
 
Bracken's skirt was just getting to the length where it would need a trim, I think Rusty is saving me a job. Wish he'd leave the rest of Bracken's hair alone though. This morning I notice he's lost most of his whiskers on one side of his face.
 
It's a behavior I've never been able to figure out. One of my previous pigs, Sundae, would periodically barber her longer-haired cagemate. Hadley would end up with some very 'creative' hair cuts. It was something that Sundae would do on and off, with no real pattern to the behavior that I could ever figure out. It may well stop on its own. Until then, you'll just have to cope with some uneven hair layers! LOL!
 
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