My two boars had a fight

Lisa7845

Lisa7845

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Hi everyone. Not the post that I wanted to write on a Sunday evening! I have 2 boars, Bertie and Bailey, aged around 10 months. I believe that they are in the throws of the teenage period. We've had the usual from around 6 months, rumblestrutting and some teeth chattering (mostly from Bertie) and high pitched submissive responses (mostly from Bailey).

At 10pm tonight, seemingly out of nowhere, the most horrendous banging (of piggies slamming into the C&C I'm presuming) occurred, I stood up as quick as I could and just saw Bertie alnost flying at Bailey (I would describe it as a tornado). Bertie had a chunk of Bailey's fur in his mouth. I've checked over both boys, Bertie is fine, Bailey with hair pulled out but no obvious bite mark or any blood. It was horrible to hear and see.

I'm aware there is a forum guide for this, but I think I'm looking for additional advice as it was a 'tornado' fight with fur removed, but no blood. They are in a 2x6 C&C enclosure, which for now as it's so late, I have separated into two areas with both having what they need.

Would this be a permanent separation? What I will say though is I'm very proud of how I have responded to the situation - I suffer with an anxiety disorder as I've mentioned before and my immediate reaction is instantly blaming myself and going over what I did wrong etc. But this time I've had a very level-headed approach!
 
I’m sorry to hear this.

Yes you have responded to it brilliantly, well done!

Yes unfortunately a vicious fight is sadly bond breaking and a permanent separation.
Splitting the cage to make two 3x2 cages is absolutely fine long term (although if you can increase so they have a 4x2 each then even better).

Between 8-10 months there is an another hormone spike. While it isn’t as big as the 6 month one and is less likely to cause a bond break, there is always going to be some pairs who are not going to get through it or the later stages of their teens.

It isn’t nice to see it happen and it is a shame when they can’t live together any longer but they will be happier as neighbours.
I have two boys who had a fight at 18 weeks old. They have lived as neighbours ever since, they’re about to turn 4 years old.
 
Thanks so much for your advice! I will keep them separate. I will look to expand their living quarters when I can 😊

They had a large car litter tray for their hay which would sadly take up alot of space if I was to have one each, do you have a recommendation for hay? 😊
 
I just throw hay loose in on the cage floor (but mine live in a shed so don’t use fleece bedding, meaning loose hay isn’t a problem).
 
Found a good solution! This medium corner tray is big enough for one piggie to snuggle into the hay! So going with this so they still have the enrichment each of a hay pile, but won't take up tonnes of space!
 

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So sorry that your boys have decided to have a major falling out.
You responded in exactly the right way.
Hope you can find a permanent solution for them
 
Hi Merab! I think I'm going to keep them within a 2x6 C and C for now, separated in the middle. We have an elderly hamster in the same room at the moment so we can't extend, but in the future I will be upgrading to two 2×4s which are next to one another for interaction.

I know no blood was drawn, but I could never forgive myself if there was a bigger injury next time.
 
In addition, I've had a 6ft outdoor run delivered today as now the weather is in the low 20s, I wanted them to have some fresh air. That may have come in clutch 😂
 
Lisa7845 said:
Hi Merab! I think I'm going to keep them within a 2x6 C and C for now, separated in the middle. We have an elderly hamster in the same room at the moment so we can't extend, but in the future I will be upgrading to two 2×4s which are next to one another for interaction.

I know no blood was drawn, but I could never forgive myself if there was a bigger injury next time.
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Make sure the divider is well secured in case some pig decides to try and break through.
Sounds as if you have a good plan looking forward
 
Not ideal, I would like it to be bigger but this will have to do for now. Hay pile gets topped up twice a day and is easily the size of them. Once they go up to a 2x4 in a few months they can have a tray again!

Having had a look at them seperated, I have an inkling the fallout was to do with Bailey attempting to be the dominant pig instead of Bertie. Boars 😭😂
 

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It could be, or it may be that the hormones simply took over and Bertie decided to chase his rival away. Bailey had nowhere to go and decided to fight his way out of a corner. It's hard to know what is going on in their minds, but when hormones are involved not much thinking is done in any species 🐾♥️
 
Truffolo said:
but when hormones are involved not much thinking is done in any species 🐾♥️
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Exactly! I was walking Margot today (dog sitting son and DIL's dog atm) and she is 3 weeks from her season. There have been a couple of male dogs who haven't seen the plum fairy who have been very interested in her (she must be starting to smell very inviting). When I have explained that she's about to come into heat, their owners have immediately put the male dogs on a lead and called/pulled them away. Hormones have a lot to answer for!
 
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