Behaviour Issues - What Can I Do Next?

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munchmonster

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I have 3 seven-week old boar brothers. They started bullying behaviour last week, so much so, that the noise woke me up one morning last week. I was given good advise from a gp rescue when I rang them, so i went out and bought a large cage.Things went ok for 24hrs but their behaviour started again. One would squeal loudly and chase the other out of the hidey. The 3rd would keep out of the way in the other hidey. The other 2 were pushing the other out of the way, raising and swaying their rears. I ended up having to put one of the two aggressive ones in the original cage. The next day, following advice from the rescue I put the 2 with behaviour issues on my lap but sadly after a few minutes they displayed the aggressive behaviour again, so I put each one back. The two I kept together are now having issues. I lifted them out one by one this evening for cuddle time but one bit me. When they were back in the cage together I gave them some veg treats in separate piles but the larger one took the food straight out of the other's .mouth. The larger piggy has developed what I can only describe as a cross between a sneeze and a cough. I have read the forum advice on behaviour and bonding. Could anyone suggest what I could do next? I love them but they we are not doing well. Sorry to gabble on but I don't know what to do now
 
Sorry you've found yourself in this situation. Unfortunately boar trios are the most unstable combination :(

How big are the cages? Some videos of the behaviour would be the best way we can help. It sounds like a bit of dominance.

If your piggy is showing signs of being unwell I'd pop to the vets just to be sure.

Are you looking for a new friend for your lonely boy? :)
 
munchmonster said:
I have 3 seven-week old boar brothers. They started bullying behaviour last week, so much so, that the noise woke me up one morning last week. I was given good advise from a gp rescue when I rang them, so i went out and bought a large cage.Things went ok for 24hrs but their behaviour started again. One would squeal loudly and chase the other out of the hidey. The 3rd would keep out of the way in the other hidey. The other 2 were pushing the other out of the way, raising and swaying their rears. I ended up having to put one of the two aggressive ones in the original cage. The next day, following advice from the rescue I put the 2 with behaviour issues on my lap but sadly after a few minutes they displayed the aggressive behaviour again, so I put each one back. The two I kept together are now having issues. I lifted them out one by one this evening for cuddle time but one bit me. When they were back in the cage together I gave them some veg treats in separate piles but the larger one took the food straight out of the other's .mouth. The larger piggy has developed what I can only describe as a cross between a sneeze and a cough. I have read the forum advice on behaviour and bonding. Could anyone suggest what I could do next? I love them but they we are not doing well. Sorry to gabble on but I don't know what to do now
Click to expand...

So far, the behaviour is still in the normal range, rumblestrutting/bum wiggling is VERY normal mild boar behaviour; even my neutered boars do it daily.

Food snatching and chasing are also very normal dominance behaviour that you see from all piggies when a hierarchy is being established or questioned. What you have to get used to is that young guinea pigs are very vocal and that their social behaviour is much more hands-on than human's. Guinea pigs are just not placid little animated toys that spend their days snuggling happily up together.

How big is your cage? With a trio you are going to be in trouble sooner or later anyway, but you are not anywhere near critical yet.

Please have your boy seen by a vet if you suspect the beginnings of a respiratory infection.
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Sorry you've found yourself in this situation. Unfortunately boar trios are the most unstable combination :(

How big are the cages? Some videos of the behaviour would be the best way we can help. It sounds like a bit of dominance.

If your piggy is showing signs of being unwell I'd pop to the vets just to be sure.

Are you looking for a new friend for your lonely boy? :)
Click to expand...
i would love to find a friend for little Wilbur. He was the first one to try the dominance behaviour but does love a cuddle. I have contacted my nearest rescue on your list, but were unable to help at this stage due to lack on single boars :-(
I do not know how to upload a video but will definately try
 
Wiebke said:
So far, the behaviour is still in the normal range, rumblestrutting/bum wiggling is VERY normal mild boar behaviour; even my neutered boars do it daily.

Food snatching and chasing are also very normal dominance behaviour that you see from all piggies when a hierarchy is being established or questioned. What you have to get used to is that young guinea pigs are very vocal and that their social behaviour is much more hands-on than human's. Guinea pigs are just not placid little animated toys that spend their days snuggling happily up together.

How big is your cage? With a trio you are going to be in trouble sooner or later anyway, but you are not anywhere near critical yet.

Please have your boy seen by a vet if you suspect the beginnings of a respiratory infection.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I am not at work tomorrow so should I try putting the three back together? I wouldn't forgive myself if one came to harm
 
I would keep trying to find a partner for him. Single boars are fairly easy to get a hold of, but it might take you a few bonding sessions to get one he gets on with. They really don't sound too bad at all (I'd let Wiebke see a video though - she's a proper expert...I only speak from limited experience). My three rumble, chin off, squeak, chase, occasionally hump, bicker, never sleep together and steal each other's food all the time, and they are (currently) a pretty well bonded trio (as you can see in my avatar). They have had their moments, but it has never got nasty. Only one proper disagreement that I'm aware of when two of them were having a bit of a power struggle for top piggy place a few months ago. Chicco ended up with a small scratch on his face, acquired while I was at work, but it all seemed settled by the time I came home - and he turned out to be the boss. I hope it all works out for your guys.

(typed this before you asked about putting them back together. I'd get @Wiebke 's advice on that if I were you.
 
I would wait until you are back from work as there is going to inevitably be some dominance behaviour. Please cnduct introductions in neutral territory first unless you have just split the cage. You do not have to do a buddy bath as your boys are still not in the teenage months.

Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
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