?fighting

[Pigboyslim]

Hi
I think my boys are fighting.

I’ve just witnessed some rearing and lunging/leaping at each other, they are currently outside in their run. I’ve not checked each one over yet but I’m now worried about possible other signs.
Today I found their sleeping pigloo upturned (not the first time) and I wonder if there’s been fisticuffs before. They rumblestrutt often.

I’ve had the boys just over a month.
I got them from p@h (sorry! I’ve learned a lot since!)
I was told they were around 14/16 weeks old when I got them. Their boy bits do look a lot bigger now than when I got them.
They are still very nervous but getting used to our routine with them. They’ll eat from our hands now.
They are in an outside hutch (chartwell 6ft)
Separate run - I have to lift them out in their tunnel to get them into the run. They share everything.
So Charlie seemed the nervous permissive one initially but now he’s the aggressor.
Ginger was initially more confident but I’ve noticed the last few days seems timid and squeaking a lot when held.

I don’t know what to do! I’m going to check on them both now.

I do have a c&c cage I bought off eBay - I can put that in the shed. Should I separate them?

I feel awful that I may have missed something prior to today....

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
I think my boys are fighting.

I’ve just witnessed some rearing and lunging/leaping at each other, they are currently outside in their run. I’ve not checked each one over yet but I’m now worried about possible other signs.
Today I found their sleeping pigloo upturned (not the first time) and I wonder if there’s been fisticuffs before. They rumblestrutt often.

I’ve had the boys just over a month.
I got them from p@h (sorry! I’ve learned a lot since!)
I was told they were around 14/16 weeks old when I got them. Their boy bits do look a lot bigger now than when I got them.
They are still very nervous but getting used to our routine with them. They’ll eat from our hands now.
They are in an outside hutch (chartwell 6ft)
Separate run - I have to lift them out in their tunnel to get them into the run. They share everything.
So Charlie seemed the nervous permissive one initially but now he’s the aggressor.
Ginger was initially more confident but I’ve noticed the last few days seems timid and squeaking a lot when held.

I don’t know what to do! I’m going to check on them both now.

I do have a c&c cage I bought off eBay - I can put that in the shed. Should I separate them?

I feel awful that I may have missed something prior to today....

Hi!

Your boys have obviously hit the big teenage hormones and are now come up to the most tricky period of their all time testosterone high.

Please take the time to read these two very informative and detailed links below. They tell you exactly what to do and what NOT to do and will guide you through the coming months step-by-step and in very practical detail:
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Here is our information on how to make friends with your boys in ways that make total sense to them by understanding their prey animal instincts (and how to avoid triggering them) and by using their own social interactive behaviours to invite them into your group and tell them that they are loved and valued members of the group you are leading and not smelly predators that might kill them on a whim once they have tired playing with them.
Settling In And Making Friends With Guinea Pigs - A Guide

I hope that it helps you! Unfortunately only time will tell whether your boys are character compatible enough or not.

 

[Pigboyslim]

Ok, maybe I overreacted!
They seem fine, no nips or scratches.
In fact ginger is currently asleep on me, snuggled in a towel -this has never happened!
They both seem calm actually, happy to be held today, I can’t work them out!

 

[Wiebke]

Ok, maybe I overreacted!
They seem fine, no nips or scratches.
In fact ginger is currently asleep on me, snuggled in a towel -this has never happened!
They both seem calm actually, happy to be held today, I can’t work them out!

Please read our guide links so you know exactly what to expect, what to do and what to avoid in the coming weeks.
With teenage boys disputes can blow up and escalate very quickly. It takes experience to judge from the body language whether they they are seriously riled up or whether they are keen to go up but not step over the limit.
Here is another link that you may find useful when trying to read body language: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[Pigboyslim]

Please read our guide links so you know exactly what to expect, what to do and what to avoid in the coming weeks.
With teenage boys disputes can blow up and escalate very quickly. It takes experience to judge from the body language whether they they are seriously riled up or whether they are keen to go up but not step over the limit.
Here is another link that you may find useful when trying to read body language: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Thanks, I’ve read and reread!
I just want to do right by them.
Stinky boys

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks, I’ve read and reread!
I just want to do right by them.
Stinky boys

Teenage boys are not for the faint-hearted... but then you haven't met hormonal sows!

We can teach you only so much in a guide; learning to judge behaviour takes practice and experience as a lot is actually based on instinctive picking up on sometimes very subtle hints of body language and a feel for the dynamics, which you need to have seen a few of. Once you have seen a serious fight, you will know the difference instantly; the body language and the tension are on a completely different level and very palpable. Spending time watching your boys interact is the best teacher.

Have a divider handy in case it gets really dodgy. What I have done with my own boar pairs when one of them reached teenage was to cable tie a pair of spare grids together (top and bottom) and then cable tie one end top and bottom to the back of the cage halfway through. Then push the divider flat along the side of the cage, ready for pulling out and tying to the front of the cage with string in two places in case of an emergency. But you can do the same with a suitable piece of cardboard in a pinch! Having it in place will take a lot of stress off you when things get hectic.