Boar Bonding

[MED]

Hi there,
I haven't owned piggies in a few years, and have never kept boys before. I recently got a 15 week old boar and then a bigger boar (the person who sold him to me claimed he was also 15 weeks but he seems a bit older to me) to live with him. They are still absolutely terrified of me, and freak out even when I put food in the cage.
I think the bonding went fairly well initially (all things considered), with the larger pig rumblestrutting and humping the smaller one. The smaller boar was nothing but submissive, constantly making that submissive noise. He completely accepted the bigger pig's dominance, and never once even tried to hump the larger boy back.
They have been in the same cage for a day now, and while there has been no fighting or biting at all the larger pig is still rumbling and even tooth chattering at the smaller one (he has sort of lunged at the other pig too, but never actually hurt him), with the only sound I can hear from the smaller pig being that same submissive sound.
My question is, does it sound like the bonding is going okay? I know that displays of dominance can last a while after first moving in with each other, but the smaller boar is being nothing but submissive at all times. Why is the larger one still chattering and rumbling at him? I feel so bad for my smaller boar, he is constantly making that noise and it breaks my heart that he is having to put up with the aggression for so long when he offers no resistance. Can I expect this behaviour to eventually subside?
As I mentioned, I have never owned boars before and I would appreciate a more experienced insight. Am I overreacting to completely normal behaviour or am I right to be worried?
Thank you!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that very occasionally the larger boar also copies the submissive sound for a few seconds, confusing the heck outta me.

 

[Piggies&buns]

When piggies are introduced they will spend the following two weeks establishing a relationship and hierarchy. You will see dominance during this time.
However your piggies are both also right at the start of their teens so there are going to be lots of hormones in play (and hormone spikes) from now until they are 14 months of age, this also means lots of dominance behaviours.
But, even adults get hormone spikes and show dominance behaviours from time to time. I have a three year old boar and they love nothing more than rumbling, chasing and mounting. They are very well bonded and have been together or years but these behaviours are normal behaviours and something that will be seen lifelong.

What is important with boars is lots of space, particularly as teenagers. A 180x60cm cage is recommended as boars need a lot of room. Only use two exit hideys (nothing enclosed) so that no piggy gets cornered by the other.

The guides below are specific to boar behaviour and will help you further.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?


These are some other bonding and behaviour guides which will be useful
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there,
I haven't owned piggies in a few years, and have never kept boys before. I recently got a 15 week old boar and then a bigger boar (the person who sold him to me claimed he was also 15 weeks but he seems a bit older to me) to live with him. They are still absolutely terrified of me, and freak out even when I put food in the cage.
I think the bonding went fairly well initially (all things considered), with the larger pig rumblestrutting and humping the smaller one. The smaller boar was nothing but submissive, constantly making that submissive noise. He completely accepted the bigger pig's dominance, and never once even tried to hump the larger boy back.
They have been in the same cage for a day now, and while there has been no fighting or biting at all the larger pig is still rumbling and even tooth chattering at the smaller one (he has sort of lunged at the other pig too, but never actually hurt him), with the only sound I can hear from the smaller pig being that same submissive sound.
My question is, does it sound like the bonding is going okay? I know that displays of dominance can last a while after first moving in with each other, but the smaller boar is being nothing but submissive at all times. Why is the larger one still chattering and rumbling at him? I feel so bad for my smaller boar, he is constantly making that noise and it breaks my heart that he is having to put up with the aggression for so long when he offers no resistance. Can I expect this behaviour to eventually subside?
As I mentioned, I have never owned boars before and I would appreciate a more experienced insight. Am I overreacting to completely normal behaviour or am I right to be worried?
Thank you!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that very occasionally the larger boar also copies the submissive sound for a few seconds, confusing the heck outta me.

Hi!

If there hasn't been any aggression in the whole time, there won't be any now. It sounds however that at least one piggy has some fear-aggression issues (more on the fear side). Make sure that there are no hideys or corners in the cage where one of them can be caught and cornered. The post-intro bonding process takes on average two weeks during which time the hierarchy and the new bond are gradually settled.

You may find the chapters on fear-aggression in these two links here helpful:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour

 

[MED]

Thank you. If this behaviour is expected then I guess I'll have try and not worry about it. I'll only separate them if the bigger guy actually hurts the small one. It's just hard hearing the little one constantly making the submissive noise, it sort of sounds as if he's distressed.