Leo's Suddenly Started Bullying Rusty!

[Storm1974]

Leo and Rusty are almost three years old and have lived together pretty harmoniously all their lives, with Leo being the usually gentle, but firm boss pig and Rusty pretty much being very laid back and accepting his position. But just lately, Leo has started to bully Rusty quite a bit, domineering him, following him around the cage in a dominant manner, chasing him out of the hay trays (they have a hay tray each, but we can only fit them both next to each other at one end of the cage as there's no room anywhere else in the cage really to put the other one) and sometimes even going up to him when he's in his arch resting, and pushing him out of it!

They both have plenty of room in the cage as it's over sized for two boars, plus they have upper levels too and it's never been an issue. It's not all the time that Leo is bullying Rusty, but it certainly seems to be more than it ever has been (we've had them both for a year now). Rusty does eat a lot more hay than Leo so he does get plenty of time to eat hay and he's certainly not underweight!

Do you think this is just normal behaviour?

 

[Claire W]

It sounds like normal dominant behaviour from Leo to me but I’d keep a close eye for things escalating. Just make sure Rusty is able to eat and rest in peace and that he isn’t being constantly chased x

 

[Wiebke]

Leo and Rusty are almost three years old and have lived together pretty harmoniously all their lives, with Leo being the usually gentle, but firm boss pig and Rusty pretty much being very laid back and accepting his position. But just lately, Leo has started to bully Rusty quite a bit, domineering him, following him around the cage in a dominant manner, chasing him out of the hay trays (they have a hay tray each, but we can only fit them both next to each other at one end of the cage as there's no room anywhere else in the cage really to put the other one) and sometimes even going up to him when he's in his arch resting, and pushing him out of it!

They both have plenty of room in the cage as it's over sized for two boars, plus they have upper levels too and it's never been an issue. It's not all the time that Leo is bullying Rusty, but it certainly seems to be more than it ever has been (we've had them both for a year now). Rusty does eat a lot more hay than Leo so he does get plenty of time to eat hay and he's certainly not underweight!

Do you think this is just normal behaviour?

Hi

It can be difficult to tell but if you have major concerns and if this behaviour is becoming more sustained and resulting in stress/weight loss, then I would recommend a 2 day trial separation. Don't look at Leo (he won't be happy and that is a given); look at Rusty - is he noticeably perking up when away from Leo? This means that the situation is not ideal for Rusty and he is feeling stressed when with Leo.

Any re-intros have to be formally done on neutral ground (i.e. somewhere that is part of either boar's regular territory). If they go back together as if nothing has happened, then the bond is still sound.
If the old problem is rearing its head again rather quickly during the intro, you may want to consider a permanent separation and a living alongside arrangement in which each boar has his own territory but they also have full interaction (sound, sight and pheromones) through the bar for ongoing stimulation as a 'can't live together and can't live apart' still bonded pair.

Bonds between piggies can go haywire any age; adult fall-outs are generally not as dramatic as teenage fights but the potential of a problem should be tested.

The method described above is coming as close as we can get to giving our piggies a chance at asking for their own honest opinion.

Bonds In Trouble

Moody Guinea Pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour