Help - My Boys Are Fighting

[Piggymum]

Hi I wonder if someone could advise me what to do with my two boys.

I had them from a rescue in October - the youngest one was about 3 months old and born at the rescue, i'm not certain of the age of the older boy but probably about 6 months (but that's a guess without checking). They were bonded at the rescue and got along fine but now the youngest boy is bigger than the older boy and it seems as if he is picking on the older boy which has only happened recently as I have taken the boys out tonight for their free time and have noticed a scab on the older boy's bottom and a chunk out of his ear. I am booking a vets appointment tomorrow but needed some advice in the meantime. I have also had to remove the older boy from the younger boy at free time and he is now hiding under a fleece on his own.

I was wondering whether I should probably separate them in their cage tonight as the older boy seems to be quite stressed out when they are together. I was going to insert a divide so that they can see each other but my older boy can still have some peace and quiet.

They are in a cage next to my other boars, one 2 years old and the other a bit older but again I don't know his exact age.

Please can someone help. Thanks

 

[Jesse's pigs]

It's plausible that the younger pig is going through his hormonal teenage stage where they can become quite aggressive and test the boundaries. If they are constantly bickering and one is getting hurt then yes try separating them for a while-couple of days for example-before reintroducing them. It may be that they have fallen out for good but hopefully once the younger one calms down they may rekindle their friendship. Hope this helps.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi I wonder if someone could advise me what to do with my two boys.

I had them from a rescue in October - the youngest one was about 3 months old and born at the rescue, i'm not certain of the age of the older boy but probably about 6 months (but that's a guess without checking). They were bonded at the rescue and got along fine but now the youngest boy is bigger than the older boy and it seems as if he is picking on the older boy which has only happened recently as I have taken the boys out tonight for their free time and have noticed a scab on the older boy's bottom and a chunk out of his ear. I am booking a vets appointment tomorrow but needed some advice in the meantime. I have also had to remove the older boy from the younger boy at free time and he is now hiding under a fleece on his own.

I was wondering whether I should probably separate them in their cage tonight as the older boy seems to be quite stressed out when they are together. I was going to insert a divide so that they can see each other but my older boy can still have some peace and quiet.

They are in a cage next to my other boars, one 2 years old and the other a bit older but again I don't know his exact age.

Please can someone help. Thanks

Your two boys are both at difficult stages in the teenage months that are well known for causing issues. I would recommend to split the cage and to watch their behaviour so you can then decide whether you need to split permanently or not. Keep an eye out on whether one of the boys is perking up noticeably when away from the other; that is usually a sign that a bond is no longer working well. Keep them separated overnight and only introduce them on neutral ground if you want to reunite.
You can find lots more detailed information and tips in this guide here: Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Piggymum]

Thank you - I have now split their cage and will keep an eye on them. I will try to re-introduce them but I'm still going to get the older boy checked out at the vets just to make sure he is okay. Thank you for the link to the guide - I have read it a few times in the past with my other boars but will have another look. Fingers crossed they will be friends again

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you - I have now split their cage and will keep an eye on them. I will try to re-introduce them but I'm still going to get the older boy checked out at the vets just to make sure he is okay. Thank you for the link to the guide - I have read it a few times in the past with my other boars but will have another look. Fingers crossed they will be friends again

If you have problems with your boys, the best rescue (that offers boar dating) is Glynneath Guinea Pig Rescue.

 

[Piggymum]

Thank you Wiebke - I know the rescue well as I've had three of my boys from there. In fact my oldest boy Beany met Podgy there when he lost his bf Doogy (the ginger one in the pic). As an update we have been to the vets today and it doesn't look like the younger boys have been all out fighting but getting fractious as we have mites and that's what the scabs were from. Also the chunk out of his year is an old injury. I think I just panicked I have been prescribed Ivermectin (not sure if thats the right spelling!) for them and advised to keep them sectioned off in their cage for the next few days at least. I had them out last night together on the settee and they don't seem to have completely lost their bond but am I doing the right thing keeping them sectioned off I wonder? I think Patch (the older youngster and the one with the mites) needs to have a bit of peace and quiet (from the attempted incessant humping by Danny) at the moment whilst he recouperates but I'm not sure and would appreciate some advice on this. As I haven't experienced mites before is there a link so that I can read up on this? Thank you for all your help and advice - It's very much appreciated x

 

[flowerfairy]

Who would have thought that mites could be good news? Really glad that your boys haven't been fighting after all. Hope the mites are easily treated and that life can go back to normal. It can be such a worry when they are ill.

 

[Piggymum]

Help I need more advice please! Patch has now picked up considerably and both piggys are trying to get into each other's enclosures - they are digging at the fleece and trying to knock the fence separating them down. I was thinking of trying them with a pile of hay out for free time and see what happens. Should I wipe them with wipes to make them smell the same? I assume I can't bath them yet as they are on Ivermectin. Ahhh such little boys and such a worry