Brothers not getting on

[Vanessa Tunnicl]

My two guineas are boys and just about 22 months old i rescued them from a farm and they are not getting on at all. The big one jumps on the smaller ones back and i have noticed scabs on his back i think because of this?

 

[cavylover2002]

Sounds like the "big one" is trying to display dominance. Boars commonly scruffle here and there.
How often have they done this? Mine have done that and nipped at one another especially in the "teen" years but nothing serious.

 

[Vanessa Tunnicl]

The two of them are rocking back and forth at one another which i think signifies anger and then they go quiet for a while before they start up again i am worried about this is it normal for two brothers?

 

[Siikibam]

It sounds like they’re trying to sort out the hierarchy but both could be vying for the top dog position. How big I their cage, nd do they have two of everything? And do the scans look to be recent (open) or from a while ago (healed over)?

 

[Reenie]

It sounds like dominance behaviour, but please have the scabs checked out by a vet. This will let you know if it is being done by the other piggy, or if it is mites or a fungal infection - either of which will need treatment. Good luck x

 

[Lady Kelly]

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Please make yourself familiar with our various bonding guides. This will help you to recognise the behaviours and judge whether these are a sign of dominance or aggression.

Cage size is also important with 2 piggies needing a minimum 120cm cage. This is what is specified by the RSPCA/humane society but in reality boars need more space than sows, particularly if the bond is a bit more tense.

 

[DMS260820]

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Please make yourself familiar with our various bonding guides. This will help you to recognise the behaviours and judge whether these are a sign of dominance or aggression.

Cage size is also important with 2 piggies needing a minimum 120cm cage. This is what is specified by the RSPCA/humane society but in reality boars need more space than sows, particularly if the bond is a bit more tense.

Do two boars need more than 120? I thought it was 140 minimum I might be wrong.

Edit.. your going by age actually arnt you

 

[Lady Kelly]

Do two boars need more than 120? I thought it was 140 minimum I might be wrong.

Edit.. your going by age actually arnt you

No I'm not going by age. I'm going on the RSPCA/Humane society minimum cage size requirements. Which is 120cm for 2 pigs. This is why I have said in reality boars need more space, ie try and go bigger than this

 

[DMS260820]

H

No I'm not going by age. I'm going on the RSPCA/Humane society minimum cage size requirements. Which is 120cm for 2 pigs. This is why I have said in reality boars need more space, ie try and go bigger than this

How did i miss that

 

[pig in the city]

No I'm not going by age. I'm going on the RSPCA/Humane society minimum cage size requirements. Which is 120cm for 2 pigs. This is why I have said in reality boars need more space, ie try and go bigger than this

Some branches of RSPCA are asking for 5 feet by 2 feet minimum for 2 piggies now. Progress!

 

[MrCupcake]

We have two boars, their is the dominator (howard) and the dominated (vince).
We have found having two separate pigloos has helped with the issue as they can sleep away from each other if they so wish and we keep an eye too make sure they dont both stand up and fight each other. if they turn into a ball of fighting then they would need separating. until then it is normal behavior.
so importantly if they BOTH (not just one) stand up before a fight, try and intervene with a towel before they aggress, if they fight too a point where they turn into a ball of fighting, then separate them completely (probs permanently). but two or more boars will always have small fights but if they start bleeding then those wounds will need treating.