Fighting

[Alec]

Hi all. Over the last few days we have been noticing some odd behaviour from our 2 females that we have had for around 2 months. There has been some new noises coming from the younger pig and they do not sound good. We have noticed fur missing yesterday and a cut nose today. We have separated them into half of the cage each but the little one although she has been beaten up, wants to go back with the other. Some advice would be much appreciated. Oh also we have just noticed the older one laying on her side which we have never seen. Thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all. Over the last few days we have been noticing some odd behaviour from our 2 females that we have had for around 2 months. There has been some new noises coming from the younger pig and they do not sound good. We have noticed fur missing yesterday and a cut nose today. We have separated them into half of the cage each but the little one although she has been beaten up, wants to go back with the other. Some advice would be much appreciated. Oh also we have just noticed the older one laying on her side which we have never seen. Thanks.

If they still want to be together, then let them be and let them sort themselves out. Remove any huts that have just one exit for the time being. How big is your cage? Make sure that each girl has her own hidey, bowl and bottle, ideall space apart so they can get away from each other. Please stage re-intros on neutral ground and brace yourself for some inevitable dominance behaviour. You will be able to judge from the amount of dominance and the severity whether it is worth keeping them together or whether you'd better think about alternative solutions for the long term.
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Lying on the side is perfectly normal and is actually a sign that the girl in question is starting to relax in her new home.

 

[Alec]

If they still want to be together, then let them be and let them sort themselves out. Remove any huts that have just one exit for the time being. How big is your cage? Make sure that each girl has her own hidey, bowl and bottle, ideall space apart so they can get away from each other. Please stage re-intros on neutral ground and brace yourself for some inevitable dominance behaviour. You will be able to judge from the amount of dominance and the severity whether it is worth keeping them together or whether you'd better think about alternative solutions for the long term.
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Lying on the side is perfectly normal and is actually a sign that the girl in question is starting to relax in her new home.

Thank you for your advice. Our hutch is approximately 60inches long and 24 inches wide. It's fairly big. There was only one hut for the bigger one to sleep in and a small box for the other however we have purchased the same hut again so they both have one. They only have one exit.This might have caused some confusion. We now have 2 water bottles

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your advice. Our hutch is approximately 60inches long and 24 inches wide. It's fairly big. There was only one hut for the bigger one to sleep in and a small box for the other however we have purchased the same hut again so they both have one. They only have one exit.This might have caused some confusion. We now have 2 water bottles

A scratch to the nose is usually the sign of a piggy being caught out at a dead end during a chase, but your girls seem to have had a bit of a scrap.

Alternatively, look out for beginning of fungal; it can often start with similar symptoms.