Bonding....HELP needed asap pls

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Alan&Barry

Alan&Barry

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Ok so things are getting a little stressful with Alan and Oscar.... Is this normal?

Oscar chasing Alan
Humping him alot
LOTS of squeeking
Teeth baring and Alan occasionally nipping Oscar
Alan trying to get away but Oscar running to pounce on him :-(

No blood drawn but they both seem agitated...
 
Personally I'd try a trial seperation and see how they react. How old are they by the way? I'm wondering if its a particularly hormonal stage?
The nipping doesn't concern me unless there's blood, I had a pair that would nip each other ears just to wind each other up lol but how does the squeaking sound? I mean does it sound distressed? if the humping is really excessive and upsetting the other it might be worth trialing a seperation to see how they are, or maybe have cages next to each other/dividers? I mean they dont sound like they hate each other but if one is getting distressed then that's not a great way to live if you see my point. Toughie..:{
 
I had a problem with a male and female guinea pigs when they just kept on fighting and nipping each other no blood but it was hard. But what worked for me was try sitting them together for example in the living room with some food on the floor and just put them down and as they eat it they will get to know the smell of each other better, and as my 2 did this they still had a bit of a little squabble as they all do lol! But they started to follow each other round and ever since they have been the best of friends! Try this it really does work! Hope this helps :) xxxxx
 
Well I was confused as to why Oscar was the one hooting when he was the one seemingly terrorising Alan! It was definitely not a normal sqeek; it was literally continuous hooting and after I'd put something between them.

Icurrently have them in a 5 x 2.5 run in my kitchen for the bonding process but had to divide it temporarily with some grids overnight so Oscar only has a small section. I have had to divide it very securely as Alan is now trying to desperately get to oscar. He was running away from him earlier!

Oh dear, it was all going so well.Maybe try them in again together tomorrow whilst I'm in there supervising!
 
A friend of mine had an adult boar and when I got my boar, the oldest was very excited and was always trying to hump him, doing the dance of seduction and there was a lot teeth chattering. I was quite concerned because it seemed very full on. But then they got on really well, living in their own cages but with no bars.

For having read the sticky about introducing piggies, I wouldn't be too concerned yet and think that I would have maybe let them carry on a bit, ensuring that the "victim" had a safe place to run if need be.

From my previous experience above, I would just try and let them live side by side for a while and see how it goes, encouraging the bonding over food by giving them treats such as mint or basil leaves at the same time...

But all the squealing and wheeking and chattering can get rather upsetting at first. Good luck and please keep us posted ;)
 
Ananda said:
A friend of mine had an adult boar and when I got my boar, the oldest was very excited and was always trying to hump him, doing the dance of seduction and there was a lot teeth chattering. I was quite concerned because it seemed very full on. But then they got on really well, living in their own cages but with no bars.

For having read the sticky about introducing piggies, I wouldn't be too concerned yet and think that I would have maybe let them carry on a bit, ensuring that the "victim" had a safe place to run if need be.

From my previous experience above, I would just try and let them live side by side for a while and see how it goes, encouraging the bonding over food by giving them treats such as mint or basil leaves at the same time...

But all the squealing and wheeking and chattering can get rather upsetting at first. Good luck and please keep us posted ;)
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Yes the thread on here (the sticky) was so helpful. It did start off as normal boar behaviour although last night it escallated into the middle bit! :{

They seem quite calm today with the divide and gradually removing the bits of card so they can see each other a bit!
 
I would not worry too much if things escalate a bit at times; sometimes you just have to sit it out and hope for the best. Can you have some treats (like a bit of grass or dandelion) ready to put in (preferably on a flat plate or just sprinkle around) when things get a bit dodgier?

Suzygpr swears on having a humping toy in with the boars to attract some of the excess feelings away from the partner.
 
Yes they nibbles a bit off the plate inbetween humping!

Not tried the humping toy though, fab idea!

Now off to Ann Summers! :)) rolleyes :))
 
Alan&Barry said:
Yes they nibbles a bit off the plate inbetween humping!

Not tried the humping toy though, fab idea!

Now off to Ann Summers! :)) rolleyes :))
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ann summers for gpigs, lmao! really, the images in my mind are so not normal lol!

i looked into this and didnt bother in the end but i remember going on ebay and you can buy a small stuffed guinea pig toy? that way he'll think he's really getting his end away? lol!
 
Hey!

I reintroduced them last Tuesday and they haven't had any problems so far.

Oscar is still humping Alan and Alan still can't get on Oscar but refuses to back down. They're not agressive and when Oscar gets excited and popcorns so does Alan now soI kinda think they may be playing!
 
Alan&Barry said:
Oh no---Now Oscar is hooting! :(
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Hooting is a heart pig noise. If he is really hooting, that would concern me much more than the normal dominance issues you've described.

Alan&Barry said:
Well I was confused as to why Oscar was the one hooting when he was the one seemingly terrorising Alan! It was definitely not a normal sqeek; it was literally continuous hooting and after I'd put something between them.
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It could be that he is a heart pig and all tuckered out because of all the activity which was putting strain on him. I'd get it checked out. There are also some videos on YouTube that have recordings of the heart pig hooting noise so you can compare the sound he was making to them. Here's one http://youtu.be/*_SnXj72iOw

I've had some sound like this and others that have been much louder and more rattling.
 
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GPCottage said:
Sorry, that link didn't work. Glad I tested it after posting. Try copying and pasting the link into your browser instead. For some reason the link simply won't work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=*_SnXj72iOw
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Hi! I couldn't open that vid although I hahve seen the hooting video before thats what made me think "Oh no he is hooting". I haven't seen him do it since although if that is the case I will get him checked out. He is ever so excitable and sometimes after running around like a loon lays down like maybe a cat or dog would but I put this down to him being chilled out?

Have you had much experience with heart pigs? Do you know if thats what they do when they are so young?

Thanks :) xx
 
Alan&Barry said:
Hi! I couldn't open that vid although I hahve seen the hooting video before thats what made me think "Oh no he is hooting". I haven't seen him do it since although if that is the case I will get him checked out. He is ever so excitable and sometimes after running around like a loon lays down like maybe a cat or dog would but I put this down to him being chilled out?

Have you had much experience with heart pigs? Do you know if thats what they do when they are so young?

Thanks :) xx
Click to expand...

I'm sorry the link just won't work. The video plays fine, but for some reason the links aren't functional.

Yes, I am quite familiar with heart pigs. I'd say if you're familiar with the noise and identified it as a hooting sound, even if you only heard the sound once, I would still schedule a vet visit. Not all heart pigs hoot and they also don't hoot all the time, but I've never had a pig hoot that didn't turn out to be a heart pig.

Age can have an influence on heart conditions, of course, but there are also congenital heart problems that they are born with. The worst of my heart pigs first hooted at about 5 or 6 months of age. He was also a very pushy boy when young, which could just be personality, but I also put it down to him not feeling well and potentially him recognizing he was somehow vulnerable and needed to be more aggressive as a result. After getting on heart meds he was able to be reintroduced to his father and brothers and has lived happily with them ever since. You're piggie may calm down some as well if he does have an underlying ailment that gets treated. Who knows. It's possible.

Anyway, regarding the plopping down after running around.... hard to say. Some pigs do just plop down and chill out after playing or chasing one another, etc.

Does he breathe hard even after resting for a few moments? Does he breathe hard even when he has not exerted himself recently? Do his eye fall shut or partially shut when he plops down? Does he really seem worn out? How about when he sleeps - have you seen him sleep with his eyes closed a lot? Have you witnessed rapid eye movement and him jerking in his sleep similar to how dogs do when they dream? Are you able to approach him when he's sleeping without him realizing you're getting close?

These are all potential signs, but again, not every heart pig is the same. And some of these signs can be present in pigs that aren't heart pigs. Often times, it is a combination of several signs that points to the fact. There are many other potential signs I didn't mention, too. Signs may or may not be present and symptoms can come and go, as well. Hooting is a pretty definitive sign though. I would definitely have him seen by a vet and I would choose a vet that is familiar with diagnosing and treating heart pigs, if at all possible.
 
GPCottage said:
I'm sorry the link just won't work. The video plays fine, but for some reason the links aren't functional.

Yes, I am quite familiar with heart pigs. I'd say if you're familiar with the noise and identified it as a hooting sound, even if you only heard the sound once, I would still schedule a vet visit. Not all heart pigs hoot and they also don't hoot all the time, but I've never had a pig hoot that didn't turn out to be a heart pig.

Age can have an influence on heart conditions, of course, but there are also congenital heart problems that they are born with. The worst of my heart pigs first hooted at about 5 or 6 months of age. He was also a very pushy boy when young, which could just be personality, but I also put it down to him not feeling well and potentially him recognizing he was somehow vulnerable and needed to be more aggressive as a result. After getting on heart meds he was able to be reintroduced to his father and brothers and has lived happily with them ever since. You're piggie may calm down some as well if he does have an underlying ailment that gets treated. Who knows. It's possible.

Yes Oscar is only 18weeks old so he is still little; he is also very bulchy so there is a chance this is the reason why as opposed to hormones.

Anyway, regarding the plopping down after running around.... hard to say. Some pigs do just plop down and chill out after playing or chasing one another, etc.

Does he breathe hard even after resting for a few moments? Does he breathe hard even when he has not exerted himself recently? Do his eye fall shut or partially shut when he plops down? Does he really seem worn out? How about when he sleeps - have you seen him sleep with his eyes closed a lot? Have you witnessed rapid eye movement and him jerking in his sleep similar to how dogs do when they dream? Are you able to approach him when he's sleeping without him realizing you're getting close?

His breathing is fine, he does sleep with his eyes closed but he doesn't have any of the other issues you mentioned. I put the slumping down to them trying to determine dominance as it's usually after he has chased Alan into his hidey! :))
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Alan&Barry said:
His breathing is fine, he does sleep with his eyes closed but he doesn't have any of the other issues you mentioned. I put the slumping down to them trying to determine dominance as it's usually after he has chased Alan into his hidey! :))
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Again, all those things would seem pretty normal to me if you didn't have the hooting symptom tossed in there. That one screams heart pig every time to me.

Good luck with your boys. I hope they both do ok and that their issues - both dominance and any other that may be present - get worked out.
 
I'm bonding Sunny, my 3 year old boar, with a new baby friend Walter at the moment6 and just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been. Walter is very hyperactive and although neither of them is humping Walter is following Sunny everywhere and Sunny is the most chilled pig ever and i think its annoying him a bit.

but this thread has been invaluable and has really set my mind at ease, so thanks. :)
 
Thankfully they are still together and settling down. They are being moved into their huge C&C cage this week so will have lots and lots of rooom so hopefully they will chilk out even more!
 
i think having them in a big space really helps. in our C&C we have 2 wooden houses so they each have their own space, and already Walter, the tiny new pig, is rumbling Sunny when he tries to come into his house. but i think that;s healthy.

Really glad to hear that your boys are calming down a bit. Phew!
 
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