erinroneree
New Born Pup
Our two male pigs that are 14 months old and have been together since birth are suddenly fighting. We have a 4 by 2 c&c cage with a 1x2 loft. Why is this happening? What do we do?
New fighting
- Thread starter erinroneree
- Start date
Sadly some boars can get to the end of their teens and decide their relationship isn’t working.
When you say fighting, do you mean actual full on fight and not just dominance behaviours?
If they are full on fighting, then they do need to be separated permanently sadly as it means their bond has broken
Bonds In Trouble
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
When you say fighting, do you mean actual full on fight and not just dominance behaviours?
If they are full on fighting, then they do need to be separated permanently sadly as it means their bond has broken
Bonds In Trouble
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
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erinroneree
New Born Pup
Right now dominance behaviors would more accurately describe it.
If it is just dominance (mounting, chasing, rumbling) then you don’t need to do anything just yet other than be prepared.
If things get too tense you can give them a few days separation to allow them to calm down and then carry out a neutral territory reintroduction to allow them to make a decision about their relationship.
Ensure you have two of every item and that all hides have two exits (nothing enclosed, as these can be a flash point for problems).
erinroneree
New Born Pup
The disagreements seem to be exacerbated when we change the pads or the fleece liner of the cage and clean it. Any tips on this?
This will be occurring because you are removing their territorial marks and smells when you clean their cage. This can be a common issue amongst teen boars, and this is why territory changes should be kept to a minimum with boars.
The best way is to only change part of the cage at a time (by having multiple smaller liners) or rub the old bedding on the new bedding so to transfer scent.
The guide below will help you with boar behaviour and territorial nature. There is a section in the guide explaining ‘boarsonalising’ the cage which may help you.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
erinroneree
New Born Pup
Perfect thank you so much!
Do you have anything on potty training them so we can get them to pee and poop in mostly the same area? Our single pig in another cage came to us fully trained and it is a God send. And I think it will help us keep our cage changes to a minimum if we can do this. We already use multiple smaller liners so that helps. We generally do the whole cage once a week but we will change how we do this for now.
Even picking up poop and changing liners can stir them up so anything that can help.
Do you have anything on potty training them so we can get them to pee and poop in mostly the same area? Our single pig in another cage came to us fully trained and it is a God send. And I think it will help us keep our cage changes to a minimum if we can do this. We already use multiple smaller liners so that helps. We generally do the whole cage once a week but we will change how we do this for now.
Even picking up poop and changing liners can stir them up so anything that can help.
I’m afraid guinea pigs cannot be litter trained. The fact your other one doing it is luck.
They will mostly pee where they eat so putting hay in trays (lined with a disposable absorbent bedding) can help but given they also pee and poop in their sleep as well, they cant be trained (They won’t get up to use a toileting area like some other animals do).