Fighting piggies

[sophiem92]

Hi everyone!

So I posted on here a couple months back as I had to have one of my piggies put to sleep leaving his 1.5 year old twin brother behind on his own.
I allowed Malcom to grieve when Toby was sadly gone so he could process what had happened.

I've now finally got round to getting Malcom a companion and was recommended to get a younger male due to Malcom being really sensitive and not in the slightest dominant or aggressive.

At the beginning, Malcom and Dave (new boy) got on fine! Malcom accepted him and actually started acting a little dominant but not in a violent way, and Dave respected that and saw Malcom as a big brother.
I've then noticed that this week dave has been trying to be dominant towards Malcom and Malcom just squeals and doesn't like it. I came home tonight to find Malcom hiding in his house, with cuts on his outer and inner lip and his lip swollen! Dave had bitten him!

With Malcom scared in his bed (and Malcom is a big boy!) I felt my only option was to put a divide in the pen to separate them.

Malcom seems a little quiet still but a bit more chilled knowing dave can't get to him, dave however not so happy and trying anything he can to get back to where Malcom is.


So to sum up all of the above! I'm asking for some advice on what to do!
I don't want it to be like this , I want them to get on and not be separated as that was the whole point in getting Malcom a friend.

Has anyone experienced this and know what to do?!

Sorry this is lengthy.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone!

So I posted on here a couple months back as I had to have one of my piggies put to sleep leaving his 1.5 year old twin brother behind on his own.
I allowed Malcom to grieve when Toby was sadly gone so he could process what had happened.

I've now finally got round to getting Malcom a companion and was recommended to get a younger male due to Malcom being really sensitive and not in the slightest dominant or aggressive.

At the beginning, Malcom and Dave (new boy) got on fine! Malcom accepted him and actually started acting a little dominant but not in a violent way, and Dave respected that and saw Malcom as a big brother.
I've then noticed that this week dave has been trying to be dominant towards Malcom and Malcom just squeals and doesn't like it. I came home tonight to find Malcom hiding in his house, with cuts on his outer and inner lip and his lip swollen! Dave had bitten him!

With Malcom scared in his bed (and Malcom is a big boy!) I felt my only option was to put a divide in the pen to separate them.

Malcom seems a little quiet still but a bit more chilled knowing dave can't get to him, dave however not so happy and trying anything he can to get back to where Malcom is.


So to sum up all of the above! I'm asking for some advice on what to do!
I don't want it to be like this , I want them to get on and not be separated as that was the whole point in getting Malcom a friend.

Has anyone experienced this and know what to do?!

Sorry this is lengthy.

Hi! Once a serious bite has happened, the boys won't go back together, I am sorry to say.
Please take the time to read this guide here; it also lists your options. The best ones for your situation is likely to keep the boys next to each other with full body interaction and stimulation through the bars, or you can contact Cavy Corner in Doncaster.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Hi,

Terribly sorry to read your dilemma. I suspect Dave is getting older and thus like all animal males is asserting his dominance and without Malcolm batting him down and telling him and he is the eldest and top pig, Dave has pushed it too far and bullied Malcolm.

Sadly it sounds like it's gone too far though.
Whilst typing this I see Wiebke has given you some great advice above.
Very good luck.

 

[sophiem92]

Hi! Once a serious bite has happened, the boys won't go back together, I am sorry to say.
Please take the time to read this guide here; it also lists your options. The best ones for your situation is likely to keep the boys next to each other with full body interaction and stimulation through the bars, or you can contact Cavy Corner in Doncaster.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

hiya!

Oh that's such a shame, not want I wanted to hear but I expected that might be the case.
Malcom just seems to hate Dave now and almost seems scared of him. They're separated with bars down the middle of their pen so I guess I'll just see if they reconnect at any point but I'll give this guide a read!
Thank you for your help much appreciated!

 

[sophiem92]

Hi! Once a serious bite has happened, the boys won't go back together, I am sorry to say.
Please take the time to read this guide here; it also lists your options. The best ones for your situation is likely to keep the boys next to each other with full body interaction and stimulation through the bars, or you can contact Cavy Corner in Doncaster.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

hiya!

Oh that's such a shame, not want I wanted to hear but I expected that might be the case.
Malcom just seems to hate Dave now and almost seems scared of him. They're separated with bars down the middle of their pen so I guess I'll just see if they reconnect at any point but I'll give this guide a read!
Thank you for your help much appreciated! X

Hi,

Terribly sorry to read your dilemma. I suspect Dave is getting older and thus like all animal males is asserting his dominance and without Malcolm batting him down and telling him and he is the eldest and top pig, Dave has pushed it too far and bullied Malcolm.

Sadly it sounds like it's gone too far though.
Whilst typing this I see Wiebke has given you some great advice above.
Very good luck.

Hello It seems to be the case! And Malcom isn't aggressive so he will end up just getting bullied as dave gets older. It's not nice seeing little Malcom scared and quiet.

The whole reason we got dave was for Malcom to have a friend and now they're both of their own

Wil they get lonely like this? Or is it a bit different with them being able to see each other etc?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

hiya!

Oh that's such a shame, not want I wanted to hear but I expected that might be the case.
Malcom just seems to hate Dave now and almost seems scared of him. They're separated with bars down the middle of their pen so I guess I'll just see if they reconnect at any point but I'll give this guide a read!
Thank you for your help much appreciated! X

Hello It seems to be the case! And Malcom isn't aggressive so he will end up just getting bullied as dave gets older. It's not nice seeing little Malcom scared and quiet.

The whole reason we got dave was for Malcom to have a friend and now they're both of their own

Wil they get lonely like this? Or is it a bit different with them being able to see each other etc?

The more interaction the better.
Obviously the best situation is to take them to a rescue and find bonded companions so they can live happily with their friend on a more intimate level.
However there are members who have pigs that do live side by side, I guess it comes down to space, time and the usual financial viability.
Sometimes you just have to keep trying to find the best mate.
I have a boy (Mowgli) who was awful bonding, he wouldn’t take to anyone at a couple of rescues then bingo, he got on with my girls. We worked out he really hates boars. He loves girls...he’s still awkward but this is because he had such a a terrible start in life.
Pigs do suffer mental health and behavioural issues too.

 

[Wiebke]

hiya!

Oh that's such a shame, not want I wanted to hear but I expected that might be the case.
Malcom just seems to hate Dave now and almost seems scared of him. They're separated with bars down the middle of their pen so I guess I'll just see if they reconnect at any point but I'll give this guide a read!
Thank you for your help much appreciated! X

Hello It seems to be the case! And Malcom isn't aggressive so he will end up just getting bullied as dave gets older. It's not nice seeing little Malcom scared and quiet.

The whole reason we got dave was for Malcom to have a friend and now they're both of their own

Wil they get lonely like this? Or is it a bit different with them being able to see each other etc?

They won't get lonely with a divider. A lot of members have a 'can't live together but can't live apart' boar pair with a grid divider but their own territory when their bond failed once the baby hit puberty or a frail boar was bullied by their companion. It also works for crotchety old sows that won't share their territory with a new companion but still need company to keep them from becoming depressed.

If you make the choice of a new companion for a single/bereaved guinea pig, the risk of the bond failing either from the start or when a boy is hitting the big hormones is unfortunately much higher. It is always gutting when a bond doesn't work out, and of course it is not what you want you hear!

You should find the guide helpful as it talks you through all the aspects in details.