HELP......... They are getting worse and heading for a fight.

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2 Boars, 14ish weeks old from the same litter that I have had for 5 weeks.
For a couple of weeks there has been some chasing and a couple of warning noises.
For the last week warning noises is ALL that there has been, lots of chasing but no squaring up. Now this morning they squared up, no teeth grinding, they didn't fight because I shouted at them but I see this getting worse and worse and have now separated the cage into 2 areas. They are chattering and completely confused trying to get to each other.

What can I do?
 
Are your piggies indoors in a cage or outside on a hutch? How big is their living area?
 
If they are indoors, try taking them out for floor time. Have you done this before? Personally I just let mine have a run around my lounge but some people cordon off an area and put toys etc and towels or blankets down incase they wee. You can then watch to see if they still want to fight or if they are too busy exploring. Two boars tend to need more space than 2 sows so regular floor time or time in the run in the garden is important.
 
Hi Lavender, they are inside, not in a massive space but plenty big enough I thought, (bar cage that we used to have a rabbit in). Perhaps I am being a bit paranoid, its just that I have seen their behaviour get worse over the last 2 weeks and I don't want to intervene too late.
I haven't done floor time because of them being new to me, I didn't want to lose them in the living room or something, particularly as one doesn't like to be picked up. Do you think this would help with the arguing?

At the moment they are being quiet, separate areas but pretty close to each other, the nervous one just rumbles when the other gets too close.
 
Guineas can have all the space in the world and not get on. Space just makes it easier for boars that get on. My friend had two free range boars one of whom suddenly started to attack the other, these boys were brothers and had been together all their life. Sorry to be negative.
 
I agree, space can help boars live together, along with having two of everything....2 bowls, hiding places etc etc....But if they are going to fight, they are going to fight I think ::) :(

Personally I dont think they can be reintroduced once they have fought/drawn blood, so maybe it would be an idea to keep them seperata and try again from scratch at introducing them, in neutral areas, putting hay with one of the boys' scent into the others cage etc etc....please dont do this because I say, as I am not too clever on boars, hopefully someone will come along with the best solution! O0

Maybe its best to just leave them living side by side, or to get them neutered and let them choose a rescue girlfriend each? :-\ Its upto you as their piggy mummy to do what you think is best for them :) O0
 
:) I think the last suggestion of getting some rescue girlfriends is best :)
 
Thank you! ;D ;D

I am very scared of keeping pairs of boars myself at the risk of fighting, and much prefer the neuter + girlfriend option, but I'm just a wuss ;D ;D
 
I had 2 boys in last wheek that started fighting after living together happily for 2 years! Lots are OK together, you just need to be able to split them and have them castrated to live with sows if they do start to fight :) I keep mine in herds too, one boar to his sows :)
 
Yep, totally agree! Its just horrible when they start fighting after so long! :(
 
As some of you may remember, Lennie and Timmy fell out big time and they now live happily side by side.
Guineafriend: I would go for the option of neutering the boars and getting them a girlfriend each, as has been suggested. The reason I didnt do that with Timmy and Lennie is because I have another bonded pair of boars and bringing girlies in could well have upset that balance ::)
 
Thanks for the replies people. I have been doing lots of reading up on the internet and other forums, and listening to the recorded noises and have decided to risk it for a little bit longer as it may not be as bad as I first thought. I am going to take your advice Lavender about the floor time as they are not fighting at the moment, it’s the nervous piggy that is warning the other away when he gets too close to him. The noises have also been described as “lust†or one piggy trying to set his dominance over the other, which I guess is perfectly normal at this age.
They are happy when they are out on my lap together and sit and eat pieces of apple without any problems.

I thought about the girlfriend idea but I live in a rented apartment and don’t have the room for another large cage.
 
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