Help with failed reintroduction

[CZ1]

Help please!
We have 2 boars who were bought at the same time at around 8 weeks old but then at around 12 weeks old they had a fight where one tore an ear and the other cut across an eye. Had them checked at the vet and their injuries have luckily healed. I had separated them since the fight with time in a large run with a mesh between them so they could see each other, they initially were still teeth chattering through the wire but then seemed more relaxed so today I lifted the barrier but within 10 minutes they were fighting so have separated them again and now they are back to teeth chattering through the mesh.

Any advice? Do I just keep trying to reintroduce them? I’ve put separate hides with 2 exits, tunnels, separate food and water etc but at a loss at what to try!
Thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this.

For the first fight to have occurred, then it is most likely because they are not compatible in character. This means that they will never be able to form a relationship and won’t be able to live together at any point.
There can be other factors such as lack of space (two boars needing a cage of 180x60cm) but character clashes are the most common reason for a failed bond.
They are usually ok together as babies as they are desperate for company but testicles start to descend and hormones rise around 12-16 weeks of age (they are teenagers from 16 weeks onwards) and this is when any character incompatibilities will come to light. Sadly, if they were pet shop piggies, then this can be something we see as they are generally just put together for sale with little to no regard for future compatibility.

Today’s fight will most likely be a mixture of that character incompatibility but also the fact that simply removing a divider and allowing them to wander into each other cages will be seen as a territory invasion and will cause fights. Any reintroduction must always be carried out on neutral territory.

Please don’t continually try reintroduction if its clear they don’t like each other. Nothing will change and they will be much happier living as neighbours with interaction through the bars only.
Each piggy will need their own cage a minimum of 120x60cm.

Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[CZ1]

Thank you so much for your reply that is really helpful!
luckily the main cage is big enough to divide into two big enough sections for each but at the moment it’s all a bit temporary so I will look to make more permanent separation plans in their spaces.

Is it worth trying a reintroduction in a neutral space at all do you think? Or shall I just leave it - I’m worried it’s just going to stress them out !

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m not sure another reintroduction would be helpful going by what you have described (I appreciate the reintroduction this time wasn’t neutral and that won’t have helped but even a neutral territory reintroduction won’t help if two piggies really don’t like each other) - once an injury causing fight has occurred (rather than a misplaced swipe from a cornered piggy where there aren’t two exit hides or not enough space), then its usually the end of their relationship and where there are injuries, we wouldn’t recommend trying again
However, do read through the guides as they will provide more information than we can repeat in every post. If you were to decide to try a neutral territory reintroduction, then be very prepared with oven gloves/towels etc to separate them.

Bonds In Trouble
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[CZ1]

Yeah I think you are right and from watching them together even through the bars I think it it might be a permanent dislike, so don’t think I’ll try a neutral ground reintroduction for now. Am much happier now I’m not worrying about being a Guinea pig bouncer! They can just be neighbours instead. Thanks again

 

[VickiA]

Great advice given by @Piggies&buns. Given that they had a fight resulting in injury and then have had a failed attempt at reintroduction I would agree that it is most unlikely that they could be reintroduced. I think it’s best to plan to keep them as 2 solo neighbours with each other for company/interaction through the bars but safely divided.