Fighting or playing?

Nadsgirl75

Nadsgirl75

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Sorry to keep asking so many questions about my 2 boys! They are approx 14 weeks old so still very young and asserting themselves! Do you think this is friendly play or something a little more sinister?
 
Bigger cage will certainly help calm any issues, looks to be dominance behaviour, but i have never had boys....
 
Yes they love the new cage last one was only 100cm and I knew it wasn’t ideal. They love their new habitat... and I will join an l shape on later on to give even more space. Generally they share well and despite some mild dominance there hasn’t yet been any fisty cuffs but I will just keep observing!

Thanks for advice... this forum is great!
 
My girls do this sort of thing and I usually consider it to be playing because there's popcorning and zooming in between the dominance behaviours... but I guess it depends what happens next! After half an hour of this sort of thing the girls usually just stop to share a snack together or take a nap in seperate hideys... if it escalates or doesnt stop for snack time and nap time that might be a problem? No idea about boys, we just have one and he's incredibly relaxed and doesnt live with the girls yet... I'm sure a proper expert will post some good advice for you though!
 
It never escalates, they will snack together, rest together or just flop down exhausted! To me it looks like youngsters playing exuberantly but I wasn’t 100% sure
 
My boys were in that cage. I built a c and c cage for them to give them more space. I have read boys need more space. So far my boys are doing much better in the big cage.
 
Yeah I think it was 100cm and now I know that’s way too small.... I got the Midwest cage and will eventually get another one to make an L shape but they really love this new home!
 
Sounds great! I had to eventually get two of everything. They were getting a bit snippy sometimes. Now they have calmed down. I currently have them in a 3 by 5 c and c cage with a loft. They love it!
 
I would say it was a bit of dominance and abit of zoomies. The popcorning in between is a good sign, and the fact they eat and cuddle together suggests that they are a happy pair .... But they're blokes, they need to strut their stuff and puff out their chests (metaphorically speaking) from time to time. Lovely wee dudes.... I love boars :wub::box:
 
Thanks guys. What I thought but just wanted to check. They really do seem to like each other and after 2 days in a bigger cage they seem even happier. One thing that has happened is they they get snippy with each other if I hold them together at lap time..... had to start to holding them sepertaley. Donald doesn’t not like Mickey getting attention and will chomp at his ear! Out of fear for my fingers, I now pet them one at a time which is a real shame but the things you have to do for piggies!
 
Nadsgirl75 said:
Thanks guys. What I thought but just wanted to check. They really do seem to like each other and after 2 days in a bigger cage they seem even happier. One thing that has happened is they they get snippy with each other if I hold them together at lap time..... had to start to holding them sepertaley. Donald doesn’t not like Mickey getting attention and will chomp at his ear! Out of fear for my fingers, I now pet them one at a time which is a real shame but the things you have to do for piggies!
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Ear nibbling is a sign of dominance and acceptance (as long as he's not eating chunks out of it obviously lol). It means, I'm the boss, but I like you and I want you to be part of my herd. Donald is probably just reminding Mickey who's boss and making it clear he should be the one getting all the attention. You've probably right to do lap time separately though, but take Donald out first just to give him his place, which should prevent Mickey getting an 'earful' as a ticking off for usurping him. (see what I did there).
 
Yeah I always take Donald out first so he feels justified in his rightful place! Who knew piggies were so xomplex.... best thing I’ve ever done getting these 2. I’m learning lots! I can see me, when I retire, having a herd of these little critters..... they could very easily take over my house.
 
Nadsgirl75 said:
Yeah I always take Donald out first so he feels justified in his rightful place! Who knew piggies were so xomplex.... best thing I’ve ever done getting these 2. I’m learning lots! I can see me, when I retire, having a herd of these little critters..... they could very easily take over my house.
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Hmmmm - I think I recognise that. When my son moved out, I got rid of his bed, and it's now the piggy room. Just need to retire now lol
 
Nadsgirl75 said:
Thanks guys. What I thought but just wanted to check. They really do seem to like each other and after 2 days in a bigger cage they seem even happier. One thing that has happened is they they get snippy with each other if I hold them together at lap time..... had to start to holding them sepertaley. Donald doesn’t not like Mickey getting attention and will chomp at his ear! Out of fear for my fingers, I now pet them one at a time which is a real shame but the things you have to do for piggies!
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My boys do the same thing! I cannot have them at the same time.
 
Nadsgirl75 said:
Sorry to keep asking so many questions about my 2 boys! They are approx 14 weeks old so still very young and asserting themselves! Do you think this is friendly play or something a little more sinister?
Click to expand...

Playing. They are two very happy boys.

How big is your cage? Boars need all the space they can get ideally before the big teenage hormones hit and shifting them over to a larger cage can cause problems. Too small a cage is one of a biggest cause of fighting when boars can't get away from each other as they would normally do. Sadly pet shops are still happily selling too small cages.
Cage Size Guide
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
Thanks.. so reassuring the you think they are happy guys.

This cage was too small I admit. I am new to all of this and should have done some more detailed research before hand... however, they now have a lovely new Midwest 2x4 which I expand during the day with a wire pen so they can have daily floor time.
 
Nadsgirl75 said:
Thanks.. so reassuring the you think they are happy guys.

This cage was too small I admit. I am new to all of this and should have done some more detailed research before hand... however, they now have a lovely new Midwest 2x4 which I expand during the day with a wire pen so they can have daily floor time.
Click to expand...

That is great! They are certainly two lively, but very happily bonded boys; I hope that they stay that way.
 
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