I'm in a pickle?

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Fay1302

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How many times is it acceptable for the pigs to fight before it becomes unacceptable if you know what I mean?

I really don't want to separate but they keep going for each other as soon as they get near each other and had a big bust up last night! :'(

x
 
It doesnt sound good, some questions first ;)

how big is the cage they are in, do they have seperate bowls etc, when you say go for each other how do you mean and the big fight was any blood drawn?
 
The cage is the nero 4, 4ft by 2ft approx. Yeah they have 2 of everything, bowls, water bottles, tunnels, enough hay and enough food?

The fight wasn't actually in the cage, I had them both on the bed and they were playing under a towel and started fighting then I pulled the towel off them and they were like a ball of fur rolling up and down my bed, teeth chattering away. Scary! I pulled them apart and put them back in the cage and they've been trying to get each other since.

I only found cuts when I looked under Bodgers fur and I put salt water on them but Badger seemed ok?
Bodgers last scab has only just healed! And the other week he has a tiny cut on his ear?

What do you think?!?

x
 
Personally I would split, as it sounds like it is getting more serious than just a scuffle if there was cuts it isnt good. I think you may be running the risk of a more serious injury if you keep them together. They may be happy having a divide where they can see each other but not have to live together. I am sure there will be a few more people on later to give advice :)

I
 
Yeah I think it might be best if I put a divide in so they can still see each other if I do split - what do other people use to do this?

I've been trying to keep them together as long as poss as they are still babies but I really do worry for their safety and although they can mooch about the cage quite happily on their own (sometimes at the same time) if they get near to each other its not good!

Thanks for your help!
x
 
Hi Faye,

I do think it is the space issue, Nero 3 isn't big enough for 2 growing boars. I've tried it with mine who are just like your two and it was a nightmare, but putting them in a 5x2 hutch indoors and they are ok. Ocassionaly there will be some teeth chattering from Sunshine but only when Twinkle is doing something he shouldn't like throwing his igloo at him! 98)

Have you thought about c&c. Where is your cage now? I have made a c&c for my 2 sows who were in a Nero 3 once I brought them in but they are so big now I had to make a c&c. I have made it 4.5x2.5 and they are happy and I've put it where the old cage was. I use newspaper and a fleeceblanket and change daily.

I do think it's the space that is driving a wedge between your boys and to be honest I wouldn't divide up a Nero 3 as then it would only be 1.5x 1.5 for each pig and it's not big enough for 1.

Louise
x
 
Just re-read that you have a Nero 4, I need to wear my specs! ;D Divide that would be 2 ft by 2ft it needs to be 3 ft by 2 ft for 1 pig. :)
 
Doh! So I need to sort out new living quarters then? I finally getting a play pen today - do you think that could improve things? I get them out daily but they can't really play so maybe they feel a bit on top of each other at the mo? I thought 4x2 was enough for 2 pigs though? Esp babies?

x
 
Oh yeah 4x2 is the requirements for 2 but when it is 2 dominant boars then the more space the better. I think the play pen may improve things. When you put them in one may be dominant over it but just watch how they go. If after giving them more space it doesn't improve them maybe a divider will settle them until they are a little older! :)
 
If I was to put a divider in now would that scupper any chance of them bonding when they are older?
Also, would they still be able to play in the pen together?

x
 
Hi Fay, they could probably still play together, most people pigs only have a fight if they're together a while, well mine do anyway and i know Niki has all of her boys in the run together and they've only ever had one fight and she thinks that was a protection thing so i reckon with enough space they'll still be able to play, just dont take your eyes off them! There is a chance they'll rebond when older, you can alsways try! But if that doesnt work you can try to bond them with babies or take them to a rescue to find one they get on with? Or the other option is to get them neutered and get them baby girls each, but that carries risks and you need a good vet! This is why girls are so much easier! Good luck with them, sorry it doesnt seem to be working! x
 
Don't get me wrong I love my boys to bits but I can't help wishing I had got girls!
I will see how they get on at playtime.

x
 
Girls are definately more hormonal! They get really narky with eachother but i doubt you'd have had to separate girls, especially so young! the things we'll do to keep them happy ::)
 
Yep girls are hormonal. I dread my two being in heat so much so that I've got their heat days marked on my calander! ;D
 
SunshineAndTwinkle said:
Yep girls are hormonal. I dread my two being in heat so much so that I've got their heat days marked on my calander! ;D
Click to expand...

;D ;D ;D ;D I can't tell when they're in heat :o They all just seem to be bitchy to each other every day ::)
 
Sophie1307 said:
SunshineAndTwinkle said:
Yep girls are hormonal. I dread my two being in heat so much so that I've got their heat days marked on my calander! ;D
Click to expand...

;D ;D ;D ;D I can't tell when they're in heat :o They all just seem to be bitchy to each other every day ::)
Click to expand...
maybe we should rename them Sowy! ;D
 
oh yes girls can be such grumps too! i thought i was doing the right thing getting girls but my two had to be seperated and absolutley hate each other now!

a few days after christmas they are being introduced to 2 neutered boy piggies so i'm hoping that will go better! :)
 
dazie said:
girls can get stropy and on occasions fight too ::) ::) ::)
Click to expand...

Yes I second that my two Sows were blinking dreadfull together but Rimmer my neutered boar keeps them in line these days ;)
 
some of my sows get very bossy and troublesome ;D worse than the boys
 
Boys may be harder work but they are more loving i find, anyway back to your problems personally i have been through this too and kept leaving them in the hope they would get on but when poor sammy had a split ear and a big bite mark on his back that was enough and i seperated and bought some c&c grids and built them 2 seperate cages where they could still see each other. I trust you dont have girls around ? This can start them off but they sound like they are only young so getting to the "I am Boss" stages i presume

I would seperate them now if you can as a temporay measure i used a massive box for one of the boys stuffed full of hay he loved it

good luck and let us know how you get on
 
I got the pen last night and they played nice in it for about an hour, I think this may help? Although bodger does have two small cuts on his back he doesnt seemed too fazed by it? I'm going to persevere a little longer but next fight they are being split.

x
 
good luck, i think thats all you can do, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. best of luck
Kelly xx :)
 
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