My 2 year old boars have just started having a bit of an arguement after having 2 years of complete friendship. Paul seems to be starting it by going over and trying to hump zuko and get into his face, i was planning to have paul castrated soon due to his balls getting dirty easier and some small health issues. Theres been no blood but I'm about to go to bed and dont want to wake up to a full on fight cause I'm out tomorrow most of the day. Should i stick a barrier in their cage and seperate them. Theyre past regular hormone spikes, they get 2 of everything, though it might be worth mentioning it was pretty hot today so they could just be bothered by that a bit. Or should i let them sort it out and put a barrier if it escalates. Ive just cleaned their cage and while doing it zuko did seem a bit subdued and after started chirping which after paul started sort of go for him, i dont think they were fighting before. I'm confused on what to do
Boar arguement
- Thread starter Lloyd
- Start date
Mounting and humping isn’t fighting. It’s normal dominance and on its own is not of concern.
You need to leave them to get on with it as much as possible. Stepping in for normal behaviours disrupts their functioning and when reunited will usually result in an increase in behaviours as they then have to reestablish their bond.
Separation should only happen if behaviours escalate and there is a legitimate concern for their bond such as you noticing signs of bullying (the underpig becoming withdrawn and depressed etc). A separation would either be done because there has been a fight (in which case that is the end of their relationship) or be done in trial to test the function of their bond and being aware that the separation could have to be made permanent.
Even adult boars get hormone spikes - they aren’t exclusive to teenagers. It is much more common for adults to have a hormone spike during spring - this is known as spring fever.
Spring fever is a hangover from wild ancestors who used to have fixed breeding seasons (spring being one of them). While domestic piggies can breed all year round, the instinct for a spring breeding season hasn’t completely gone meaning you see an increase in dominance behaviour during this time of year.
Make sure you only ever clean half the cage at a time when you have a boar pair: a full cage clean removes all scent out of the cage which can then cause territorial issues and make the dominant feel the need to exert even more dominance.
Only cleaning half at a time (so half one day and the other half the next day) means scent remains in the cage and they feel much more settled and still recognise their territories.
I’m sorry to hear about Paul’s health issues. A castration if he has health concerns is obviously warranted and agreed by the vet but do note that it will not change any of his behaviour - he will still mount his cage mate after surgery.
I’ve added a few guides below including the bonds in trouble guide which explains any concerning behaviours to watch for but also how to carry out a trial separation if you are concerned their bond is failing.
Bonds In Trouble
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Reacting to group or territorial changes: Dominance and group establishment/re-establishment
You need to leave them to get on with it as much as possible. Stepping in for normal behaviours disrupts their functioning and when reunited will usually result in an increase in behaviours as they then have to reestablish their bond.
Separation should only happen if behaviours escalate and there is a legitimate concern for their bond such as you noticing signs of bullying (the underpig becoming withdrawn and depressed etc). A separation would either be done because there has been a fight (in which case that is the end of their relationship) or be done in trial to test the function of their bond and being aware that the separation could have to be made permanent.
Even adult boars get hormone spikes - they aren’t exclusive to teenagers. It is much more common for adults to have a hormone spike during spring - this is known as spring fever.
Spring fever is a hangover from wild ancestors who used to have fixed breeding seasons (spring being one of them). While domestic piggies can breed all year round, the instinct for a spring breeding season hasn’t completely gone meaning you see an increase in dominance behaviour during this time of year.
Make sure you only ever clean half the cage at a time when you have a boar pair: a full cage clean removes all scent out of the cage which can then cause territorial issues and make the dominant feel the need to exert even more dominance.
Only cleaning half at a time (so half one day and the other half the next day) means scent remains in the cage and they feel much more settled and still recognise their territories.
I’m sorry to hear about Paul’s health issues. A castration if he has health concerns is obviously warranted and agreed by the vet but do note that it will not change any of his behaviour - he will still mount his cage mate after surgery.
I’ve added a few guides below including the bonds in trouble guide which explains any concerning behaviours to watch for but also how to carry out a trial separation if you are concerned their bond is failing.
Bonds In Trouble
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Reacting to group or territorial changes: Dominance and group establishment/re-establishment
Thank you so much, i think id just paniced last night but theyre completley fine this morning. I will keep this stuff in mind for future use if they ever start up again.