Do I need to separate?

[JohnLpool]

I have two boars who are both two years old in a 2x6ft C&C cage. There’s two of everything but over the last week Branston the more dominant of the two has been constantly squaring up to Winston the more submissive. He’s letting him feed and drink etc. but is constantly chasing him and mounting him otherwise. There’s teeth chattering too but that’s usually as I approach there’s just lots of high pitched squeaking! Neither have cuts or bites yet but I don’t know what to do with them!

 

[ILoveGilbertTheGuineaPig]

My personal opinion would be to keep them together for now but of course keep on monitoring them closely. There is not a whole lot you can do besides wait it out and see if it escalates. Definitely separate them if blood is drawn! You're already doing a great job with space and having 2 of everything!

 

[Piggies&buns]

This guide should help you decide if a problem is starting.
Bonds In Trouble

Ordinarily mounting and chasing is a normal dominance behaviour and as long as one is backing down into the submissive position then the dominant will back off when he has reinforced his standing in the hierarchy. However, if it becomes constant and turns into bullying, then that is a dysfunctional bond.
A trial separation can help test for a dysfunctional bond. It’s The one who is being ‘bullied’ who you need to look at during a trial separation as he will perk up when separated. The bully will always be upset by any separation so don’t let his protests guide you! The guide explains this and the procedure.

 

[Ellie-May]

I have two boars who are both two years old in a 2x6ft C&C cage. There’s two of everything but over the last week Branston the more dominant of the two has been constantly squaring up to Winston the more submissive. He’s letting him feed and drink etc. but is constantly chasing him and mounting him otherwise. There’s teeth chattering too but that’s usually as I approach there’s just lots of high pitched squeaking! Neither have cuts or bites yet but I don’t know what to do with them!

I wouldn’t worry unless there is a physical fight and one gets seriously injured. From what I have learned (and still learning) is that all seems normal. As long as Winston is eating, drinking and seems happy I wouldn’t worry. My Bert is the submissive one and whenever Ernie goes near him sometimes he lets out a submissive squeak even though Ernie doesn’t do anything. My boys are a lot younger (4 months) but so far it’s been good. We have had the occasional rumble strut, nose off but it’s all from Ernie. Bert just stands still bless him. What makes it even funnier is that Ernie is so small compared to Bert so we say (as a joke) he has little guinea syndrome. As yours have been together two years I wouldn’t separate unless a physical fight happened. Just keep an eye on them and I’m sure it’ll be fine

 

[Piggies&buns]

I wouldn’t worry unless there is a physical fight and one gets seriously injured. From what I have learned (and still learning) is that all seems normal. As long as Winston is eating, drinking and seems happy I wouldn’t worry.

. As yours have been together two years I wouldn’t separate unless a physical fight happened. Just keep an eye on them and I’m sure it’ll be fine

Just so you know, it isn’t always a full on fight that is the determiner for the need to separate. Bullying can occur at any point, even in piggies who have been together for years, and manifest as constant mounting and chasing (which is not normal dominance behaviour, it’s beyond that) and without a fight breaking out and can still be cause to separate due to it being a dysfunctional bond.

 

[Ellie-May]

Just so you know, it isn’t always a full on fight that is the determiner for the need to separate. Bullying can occur at any point, even in piggies who have been together for years, and manifest as constant mounting and chasing (which is not normal dominance behaviour, it’s beyond that) and without a fight breaking out and can still be cause to separate due to it being a dysfunctional bond.

Thank you for the advice. As they are two and have come out of their teenage months, maybe there is an underlying health issue with the one who is bullying? I’m not suggesting there is, but as their behaviour has suddenly changed maybe just check them over and their weight. Like I said, I’m not suggesting there is as it could just be a case that the bond has turned dysfunctional. The only way to truly know is to either do a trail separation like @Piggies&buns has suggested or to check over the one who is doing the bullying