Boars and "dominance"

[LeifCG]

I understand mounting is to show dominance but they've been at it for 2 days and counting... When will they stop? I'm guessing they're teenagers, I got them in September and they were babies according to the employee. It's just annoying when they're making all sorts of noise at 2 in the morning.
EDIT: Is my cage possibly too small? It's a Midwest cage.

 

[Livia Rabideau]

I had a Midwest cage and ended up making a C and C 3 by 5 cage with a loft. Much happier piggies now. If you are able to give them more room go for it. The more the better. Also having two of everything helps too! Good luck

 

[Wiebke]

I understand mounting is to show dominance but they've been at it for 2 days and counting... When will they stop? I'm guessing they're teenagers, I got them in September and they were babies according to the employee. It's just annoying when they're making all sorts of noise at 2 in the morning.
EDIT: Is my cage possibly too small? It's a Midwest cage.

Hi! Please take the time to read these guides here. Teenage boars between 4-14 months of age can get rather lively.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[fanniephina]

I had a Midwest cage and ended up making a C and C 3 by 5 cage with a loft. Much happier piggies now. If you are able to give them more room go for it. The more the better. Also having two of everything helps too! Good luck

Midwest is better and more expensive; it can hurt to throw aside for storage (my storage has a pile) but yes, c&c makes a huge difference. For boars, the more room the better! They can go to their own areas when the going gets rough. 3x5 is a great size for 2 or, for space, you can even do 2x5 and it will be fine. Hard experience has shown a loft does wonders with boars and bonding. Maybe a bottle, bowl and hay top loft and the same lower level at least gives them their own area and no one is blocking. Look into a fleece forest for the top level if possible as this hidey area with a view can made the other boar feel watchful and with a bit of space as well as being able to eat and drink in seclusion if there is a need for him to kind of be on his own. Check out the threads for some really great ideas and fun ways to personalize without spending a lot on the habitat thread.

Really important to read the link from @Wiebke. At a glance though, mounting is very, very normal for little guys and especially at that age. Unless they get very aggressive, it's fine and can go for awhile during the bonding process (then even show up a lot afterward) but it's not a bad sign at all.

 

[LeifCG]

Thanks guys! I'll try to get them a bigger cage.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks guys! I'll try to get them a bigger cage.

Hi! Please read the guides I have given you.

Be aware that you have to be VERY careful when shifting hormonal boars with a strained bond into new territory, which requires a new hierarchy sort-out and can be just the thing to send dodgy boar pairs (even adult ones) over the edge.
Please follow the tips in the teenage guide I have linked in to minimise the risk for causing a fight when introducing a larger cage.

The guides I have linked into my first post are very practical and detailed, covering all aspects of social dominance behaviours and all aspects of the teenage months, from what you can do minimising the risk of a fall-out, to handling situations on the cusp of a fight, judging whether a bond is still valid to your various options if you had to separate.
You should find them very helpful.

 

[LeifCG]

Hi! Please read the guides I have given you.

Be aware that you have to be VERY careful when shifting hormonal boars with a strained bond into new territory, which requires a new hierarchy sort-out and can be just the thing to send dodgy boar pairs (even adult ones) over the edge.
Please follow the tips in the teenage guide I have linked in to minimise the risk for causing a fight when introducing a larger cage.

The guides I have linked into my first post are very practical and detailed, covering all aspects of social dominance behaviours and all aspects of the teenage months, from what you can do minimising the risk of a fall-out, to handling situations on the cusp of a fight, judging whether a bond is still valid to your various options if you had to separate.
You should find them very helpful.

Yes, of course. I don’t think they’re aggressive towards each other or bullying each other, but I will definitely read over the guides more than once to plan my actions towards getting a bigger cage if needed. When I get home I will put 2 of each essential item such as water bottles and hay racks in the cage. I plan to observe them carefully as well to note down any changes in behavior. The cage I am planning to get if needed isn’t C&C, but something more like a tv hutch and it’s about 10 square feet. I will of course take any feedback and constructive criticism on my plan of action. Any help and advice is welcomed. Thank you for your help! (That was a large post, sorry)