My boar is just constantly biting the bars! Help!

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Cowlesyx

Cowlesyx

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Hi, my guinea pig meeko is just all of a sudden forever biting on the bars..:0
Its just constant and it is just getting annoying now, they have plenty of enrichment in their cage and plenty of space so i dont have any idea why he is just constantly doing it.

Help please!
 
Archie used to do this non-stop until I got him neutered and in with the girls. Even then he'd still do it, just not as much.
Doe he have a companion? or is he housed next to other pigs?
 
Ahhh the old bar biting boars. Theo was the absolute worst for this day and night. I stopped it by using bulldog clips to secure some correx to the end of his cage so he couldnt get into the bars. I also made a half foot gap between him and the girls and wiped vicks menthol all round the edges. Worked a treat.
 
Shellza said:
Archie used to do this non-stop until I got him neutered and in with the girls. Even then he'd still do it, just not as much.
Doe he have a companion? or is he housed next to other pigs?
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Yeah he has his brother with him.
I dont know if its his age or what, but he has started to become a bit aggressive to him too, which is very worrying for my greyam.
There is a female in the same room but he never used to do it, it just started.
 
hazeyg said:
Ahhh the old bar biting boars. Theo was the absolute worst for this day and night. I stopped it by using bulldog clips to secure some correx to the end of his cage so he couldnt get into the bars. I also made a half foot gap between him and the girls and wiped vicks menthol all round the edges. Worked a treat.
Click to expand...

I will have to try some of these methods because it is getting extremely stressfull when I'm trying to concentrate on work and hes there biting away constantly!

Do you think its because he used to be in a hutch outside before being moved inside over winter?
 
One of my piggies does the same. It was either the bars or correx :) Someone told me it may be because he was bored but I am not sure. Anyway, I covered the correx, bought him a log cabin to chew and few little chew toys. I ensure he always has some hay available and it all seems to have done the trick. He now only chews the bars when I am preparing his dinner or he has run out of hay :) Hope this helps :) x
 
Kym said:
One of my piggies does the same. It was either the bars or correx :) Someone told me it may be because he was bored but I am not sure. Anyway, I covered the correx, bought him a log cabin to chew and few little chew toys. I ensure he always has some hay available and it all seems to have done the trick. He now only chews the bars when I am preparing his dinner or he has run out of hay :) Hope this helps :) x
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Well he has lots of little toys and chewable items in his cage which should keep him occupied, i have paid out alot to get him these things and he just ignores them and contineus going for the bars.
He has plenty of food and hay to munch on too.
I just dont understand what the problem could be :( :(
 
How old is the female thats in the same room? I'm just wondering if maybe she's come into heat and he can smell her. I struggled for ages to get Archie to stop. He only has since he's been in with the girls and away from other pigs.
 
Shellza said:
How old is the female thats in the same room? I'm just wondering if maybe she's come into heat and he can smell her. I struggled for ages to get Archie to stop. He only has since he's been in with the girls and away from other pigs.
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Well she is around 6-7 months old now, I'm hoping she is already pregnant anyway.

Do you think because he mated with her he can smell her easily?

(i sound so novice like)
 
If he's mated with her then it is very possible that this is the reason he is chewing as he will know there is a female around and will want to get to her. It may also be the reason your boys are falling out. It may be a case of you having to take either him or her into a different room if possible. There's no certainty that that will even help I'm afraid.
 
Shellza said:
If he's mated with her then it is very possible that this is the reason he is chewing as he will know there is a female around and will want to get to her. It may also be the reason your boys are falling out. It may be a case of you having to take either him or her into a different room if possible. There's no certainty that that will even help I'm afraid.
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Well he seams to be really stressing the other boy out that he is with. I would put him in with my other boy Felix but he is too old and set in his ways and HATES other guinea pigs! :))
I will try some of your suggestions.
 
I'm sorry but you intentionally mated your sow and boar?!?!

You do realise this is a rescue friendly forum, right?! Also, do you know how many needy piggies there are in rescues and you're mating your pigs, why?

Furthermore, there's so many risks involved with pregnancy and labour for the sow... why put her through that needlessly?
 
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I'm sorry but you intentionally mated your sow and boar?!?!

You do realise this is a rescue friendly forum, right?! Also, do you know how many needy piggies there are in rescues and you're mating your pigs, why?

Furthermore, there's so many risks involved with pregnancy and labour for the sow... why put her through that needlessly?
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I wasnt sure if it was intentional so I never said anything....I really hope it wasnt
 
Cat&ThePiggies said:
I'm sorry but you intentionally mated your sow and boar?!?!

You do realise this is a rescue friendly forum, right?! Also, do you know how many needy piggies there are in rescues and you're mating your pigs, why?

Furthermore, there's so many risks involved with pregnancy and labour for the sow... why put her through that needlessly?
Click to expand...

you know when people say 'from your lips to God's ear'

well if only from your lips to other peoples ears in this case, this is not fair on the piggies.
 
I would say your boar is looking for your sow,He may also be very stressed if he can smell her in the room which is why he would constantly biting the bars,and I would say this is also why he has fallen out with your other boar - which would make them both very stressed and unhappy.

If you can take the sow out of the room then do.
 
My Rambo (rip) used to do this, he did it for attention, then I'd give him attention and a little veg and hay (even tho he had mountains of it and all the toys, cardboard, paper etc), then next time he'd do it more mallethead
I'd never get anything done lol, he just wanted cuddles and kisses, food and fuss, really annoyed my hubby when he got home from work and was trying to eat dinner and watch telly lol, he'd have to give him a big chunk of carrot and another handful of hay just to distract him, he did manage to get rocky to copy at one point, but rocky wasn't so bad, Rambo was so affectionate 8...
So it could be attention seeking if you haven't given him as much as usual?

He was ok after he'd had the fuss or when he knew I was going to work or bed, it was just if he knew I was there lol
 
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Cowlesyx said:
Well she is around 6-7 months old now, I'm hoping she is already pregnant anyway.

Do you think because he mated with her he can smell her easily?

(i sound so novice like)
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grrrr and :{ and most definitely mallethead.

Then for a few more of my favourite...

:laluot_08::laluot_32:

It's just getting ignorant now.
 
I'll probably get shot down now, but this person is clearly new to the site and isn't educated to the dangers of breeding and the pros for going to a rescue etc, some people I find very harsh with their replies, rather than have a go perhaps educate them ?

Over the past few weeks I have been considering coming off this forum after reading some not very nice replies to newbies, I mean sometimes they don't read that we are rescue friendly etc before they join and post, they come here for advice then get shot down.
They are more likely to reconsider there thoughts and actions if it was done in the correct manner than for them to be had a go at and them to not bother coming back on for advice and then even worse continue to breed or whatever etc all because they were not educated and given reasons

If after they have been politely advised/educated a polite message/post to explain this is recue friendly and the reasons would go alot further than people shooting them down in flames, if then they continue to advocate and post such things then yes by all means go in guns blazing

JUST SAYIN BEFORE I GET HAD A GO AT

Rant over now I'll breath.
Been very poorly and can't get out so i enjoy coming on here, maybe I'll take a break from this place
 
I will admit however I didn't realise she had just mated the boar with her sow, I read the posts but somehow missed that :0
 
HelsBels said:
I'll probably get shot down now, but this person is clearly new to the site and isn't educated to the dangers of breeding and the pros for going to a rescue etc, some people I find very harsh with their replies, rather than have a go perhaps educate them ?

Over the past few weeks I have been considering coming off this forum after reading some not very nice replies to newbies, I mean sometimes they don't read that we are rescue friendly etc before they join and post, they come here for advice then get shot down.
They are more likely to reconsider there thoughts and actions if it was done in the correct manner than for them to be had a go at and them to not bother coming back on for advice and then even worse continue to breed or whatever etc all because they were not educated and given reasons

If after they have been politely advised/educated a polite message/post to explain this is recue friendly and the reasons would go alot further than people shooting them down in flames, if then they continue to advocate and post such things then yes by all means go in guns blazing

JUST SAYIN BEFORE I GET HAD A GO AT

Rant over now I'll breath.
Been very poorly and can't get out so i enjoy coming on here, maybe I'll take a break from this place
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agreed with the educating, as a new person myself, I didnt no anything about breeding when I joined this forum. even though I have never considered breeding anyway I have only been educated about the pros and cons from being on this forum
I didnt even know alot about piggie rescues till I joined here.

maybe this poster can be educated to not do it again in future rather then disappear and carry on breeding?

as hard as it is not to :laluot_32:

but yes this sounds like the possible reason for the bar biting,
 
teddy2011 said:
I would say your boar is looking for your sow,He may also be very stressed if he can smell her in the room which is why he would constantly biting the bars,and I would say this is also why he has fallen out with your other boar - which would make them both very stressed and unhappy.

If you can take the sow out of the room then do.
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Very good advice above ^

A fellow Doncaster member.... Hello :)p

Please be aware that we do not discuss breeding on this forum.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36529

As this is a rescue friendy forum you will find our members are against intentional breeding.

However, we also have lots of brilliant members that are helpful and knowledgeable and gladly give advice- so please stick around
 
To answer all your harsh comments, no it wasnt intentional.. It happened by mistake.

Not trying to be nasty or offend anyone, but there will be still lots of guinea pigs (and other animals) in rescue centers no matter how much we try and stop that. I'm studying all about it now in college and it is just what happens, thats why the centers are there, to help animals have a better life.

Just saying, theres no need to be so blunt and nasty about it when i've done nothing but care for all the animals i have in my life!
NEVER have i tried to place my animals in any danger!
 
Cowlesyx said:
To answer all your harsh comments, no it wasnt intentional.. It happened by mistake.

Not trying to be nasty or offend anyone, but there will be still lots of guinea pigs (and other animals) in rescue centers no matter how much we try and stop that. I'm studying all about it now in college and it is just what happens, thats why the centers are there, to help animals have a better life.

Just saying, theres no need to be so blunt and nasty about it when i've done nothing but care for all the animals i have in my life!
NEVER have i tried to place my animals in any danger!
Click to expand...

So, why do you hope your sow is pregnant if it wasn't intentional?
 
First of all I'm sorry you feel judged and some of the comments were a bit harsh. It would have been better to ask if it was your itention or not to get the sow pregnant.

Second of all, if it was intentional then I would do some reading on this site as to why so many of us are against it, just to see the other side of things. Particularly the threads in pregnancy & labour and the rehoming thread.

Thirdly, if it was an accident, relax, it can happen, you're not the first and won't be the last, again, see the thread in pregnancy and labour!

Lastly, do stick around, there's some wonderful experienced members here who have invaluable knowledge and experience to help.
I would advise getting your sow checked for possible pregnancy. If she is pregnant I would again, read the pregnancy section if it's something new to you as it is really helpful and I hope all goes well.
If she isn't, then phew! from my point of view! And yes, to keep the boys in a seperate room would really help as her smell can aggravate boys regardless.
Hope this helps :)
 
gogoguineas said:
First of all I'm sorry you feel judged and some of the comments were a bit harsh. It would have been better to ask if it was your itention or not to get the sow pregnant.

Second of all, if it was intentional then I would do some reading on this site as to why so many of us are against it, just to see the other side of things. Particularly the threads in pregnancy & labour and the rehoming thread.

Thirdly, if it was an accident, relax, it can happen, you're not the first and won't be the last, again, see the thread in pregnancy and labour!

Lastly, do stick around, there's some wonderful experienced members here who have invaluable knowledge and experience to help.
I would advise getting your sow checked for possible pregnancy. If she is pregnant I would again, read the pregnancy section if it's something new to you as it is really helpful and I hope all goes well.
If she isn't, then phew! from my point of view! And yes, to keep the boys in a seperate room would really help as her smell can aggravate boys regardless.
Hope this helps :)
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Thankyou for being kind and honest with your answer!
I can understand peoples views on the pregnancy thing but its just it was an accident and i wouldnt over panick if she is.
She seams to act her normal self, but i will definatley get her checked at the vets as soon as possible to be certain!

Thanks again! i Will read up of every fact there is!
 
Cowlesyx said:
To answer all your harsh comments, no it wasnt intentional.. It happened by mistake.

Not trying to be nasty or offend anyone, but there will be still lots of guinea pigs (and other animals) in rescue centers no matter how much we try and stop that. I'm studying all about it now in college and it is just what happens, thats why the centers are there, to help animals have a better life.

Just saying, theres no need to be so blunt and nasty about it when i've done nothing but care for all the animals i have in my life!
NEVER have i tried to place my animals in any danger!
Click to expand...

Hi i just want to say nobody is judging you or saying you have put your animals in any danger. It's just the way you said "hope she's already pregnant anyway" made people concerned about the motives. Just please read about the dangers and complications of pregnancies. But I am sure you taken great care of your pigs.
Also everyone here understands that there still be animals in rescues but we want to try and minimaze those numbers. And
I hope you stick around, even with a bad start, this is an amazing fantastic forum with lots of intelligent people who just want to help.
 
But I do feel bad you had some negative comments but please don't take it personal. As long as you take great care of your animals that's the main thing :)
 
AnnaB said:
But I do feel bad you had some negative comments but please don't take it personal. As long as you take great care of your animals that's the main thing :)
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Thanks!
I will stay on this forum because i feel as though people are extremely helpful! i mean ive had guinea pigs all my life, and want to go back to getting them from rescue centers, but i have kind of got my last few from friends due to them not wanting them anymore or not having the time.

I just need to look into any rescue centers around Doncaster that i could visit!
 
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