Fighting wounds

[sarahp]

Hello! I am new to this forum.

I have two boys, Leroy and Malcom, who are 6/7 months old. I was really lucky with them because I paired them together when they were little and they get along fine. In fact they cry for each other when apart

My boyfriend is not so lucky. He bought two pigs (I encouraged him because there's not enough room in my flat for any more ) and they are having problems. He got them when they were about 6 weeks and 10 weeks. They were fine for the first 2 weeks or so but now the little one has two wounds - one around his eye and one on his neck.

We actually think they weren't that serious but he is scratching at them and making them a lot worse, and the fur has fallen out. He squeaks when he scratches and won't let anyone touch him.
He's actually the one with the temper so I'm not surprised that the bigger one got fed up and went for him. But we don't want to see any more injuries so they're going to be separated tonight

When would be a good time to try putting them together again? And any ideas on how to stop the little one scratching his wounds? At the moment we are using a dry wound powder but if you have any suggestions I'd be really grateful.

I used to keep girls when I was little and we never had these problems!

 

[Barmy4boars]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum! Not new to me though I recognise you... and Leeroy and Malcom from B4B!

So sorry to hear that your boyfriends pigs have had a big fall out.

I am afraid if these are wounds from fighting (and definately not some other cause such as skin problem which seems unlikely with what you said) then, in my experiance, you will not be able to put the boys back together, they would just keep on fighting and next time the wounds may be more serious. My advice would be to make a divided cage so they can still enjoy each others company.

Please take a look at this page, all about this kind of situation

http://www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/seperation.htm

I really sympathise having been here myself... unusual so young but some piggys mature earlier than others.

However with them being so young there is a slim possibility they could be reintroduced much later when they are both adults. Happy to chat more about this if you need me

 

[starshine]

I think Susie has covered it all!

As she says if they have been fighting to the point where blood has been drawn I would not put them back together. Boars can fight to the death if things get very bad.....

You could try keeping them in a cage with a divider then they have each others company still but they cannot get at or hurt each other.

 

[sarahp]

Thanks for this. I love this website and it's so nice that people reply so quickly ;D Keeps me amused while I'm at my desk at work :

You have confirmed what I was thinking but didn't want to hear It's a shame that they will have to live by themselves. I think they just have too strong personalities. Especially the little one. I can't belive someone so small can have such a temper!

And I must have been very lucky with my boys! I do see why now though. Leroy was my first and he is so laid-back in comparison. He is the 'quiet' boss. He knows when to take charge but the rest of the time he is quite happy for Malcom to climb all over him and attempt to boss him around!

 

[starshine]

The small ones cause all the trouble in my experience!

It is a shame when you have to split them up but it is for the best. You'll probably find they are happier for it too - mine love being by themselves and having their own space to trash!

 

[Barmy4boars]

You have confirmed what I was thinking but didn't want to hear.... I think they just have too strong personalities. Especially the little one. I can't belive someone so small can have such a temper!

I think the reason it didn't work out is probably age gap, I believe that bigger age gaps work better. I tried to introduce a 5 week old boar to a 12 week old one myself with Hugo and Rainbow and it didn't work out. But people who contact me about pairings who have introduced a baby to an older boar, over a year seem to have a much higher rate of sucess... but there is no way of knowing. They can be so akward these boys lol!

It's a shame that they will have to live by themselves.

I can honestly tell you with a C&C cage with a common wall pigs who are seperated seem to be happy enough. As long as they can see and hear other piggys they won't be lonely. I have worried about Rainbow in the past but that was in other types of divided cages that didn't allow the same inteaction or when he was on a split level. Not as good as a cage mate... though as Kate says some pigs prefer it (My boys pop corn after Rumlestrutting at each other through the bars) but its their own fault! Silly boys!