Daily routines and behaviour

[JP88]

Hello all. I have a query about the daily routine I've got set up with my two young male piggies and the way they are together. What we do at the moment is top up the hay in the mornings and give them some fresh veggies and when we get home from work, put them in their run with toys, things to nibble on etc. When they are in the run, we clean out the cage where needed and top up the hay again. Then when they've had their floor time and cuddle time (if they want it), they go back in their cage, which is normally when we head to bed with another small handleful of veggies. We give them varied veggies regularly and fruit on occasion plus vitamin drops now and again in their water. Is this a good routine or should I be doing something different?
Also, one of them has been nipping the other when he gets to close, or tries to climb over or under him. No blood is seen, no fur is pulled but the one being nipped squeals and draws away. After a moment, he's back to normal. I'm curious if this is normal dominance behaviour? They cuddle, eat, drink and everything normally but the one who nips also rumblestruts and follows the other around. My partner is thinking of separating them but I think it's not needed as they are still very young. I've seen in many posts that the rule of thumb is if no blood is seen, then they are fine and just squabbling. Any suggestions?

 

[Siikibam]

The nipping is just putting the other piggy in his place. And the rumble strutting is normal dominance behaviour. How old are they? Don’t separate, they have to work through it.

If they’re getting a varied enough diet (including vitamin c rich veg like pepper and coriander/cilantro) as well as pellets (saw no mention), then there’s no need for the vitamin drops in their water. It can put them off drinking so they don’t get as much as you’d think.

Also make sure you have two of everything. And that the cage is also big enough - boars need more space than a mixed sex or sow pair.

 

[JP88]

The nipping is just putting the other piggy in his place. And the rumble strutting is normal dominance behaviour. How old are they? Don’t separate, they have to work through it.

If they’re getting a varied enough diet (including vitamin c rich veg like pepper and coriander/cilantro) as well as pellets (saw no mention), then there’s no need for the vitamin drops in their water. It can put them off drinking so they don’t get as much as you’d think.

Also make sure you have two of everything. And that the cage is also big enough - boars need more space than a mixed sex or sow pair.

They do have pellets (sorry, forgot to mention). They are almost 10 weeks old. I understand that their behaviour will change when they reach their teenage times. I agree they need to sort it out amongst themselves, but my partner gets distressed to hear and see them nipping and squealing.

 

[Betsy]

Nipping is just mild dominance behaviour and is a normal part of piggy behaviour my lot do it all the time. The squealing isn't from being hurt it's your piggy that's been nipped telling the other one "OK you're the boss of this herd". Babies are very dramatic. Your partner needs to understand that what looks and sounds brutal to us isn't if you're a piggy. You Must Not separate while they work out who the boss is. Guinea pig society has a strict hierarchy. It's how it works.

 

[Siikibam]

They do have pellets (sorry, forgot to mention). They are almost 10 weeks old. I understand that their behaviour will change when they reach their teenage times. I agree they need to sort it out amongst themselves, but my partner gets distressed to hear and see them nipping and squealing.

Tell him he’ll need to prepare for when they hit the teenage months. There’ll be bouts of constant rumble strutting, teeth chattering, chasing, mounting and humping. And the underpig will squeal in submission. It sounds a lot worse than it is.

I’d also suggest he reads up on the threads re male bonding and dominance behaviour. I can’t link at the moment I’m afraid.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum
I can only echo what has been said already about piggy behaviour.
Just hang on.
Your routine sounds fine and @Siikibam is right in saying you don’t need to add vitamin drops to the water.
I can’t link on my phone but the information threads for new owners are very helpful.

Please can we see pictures of the boys