Non-stop Humping - What Do I Do?

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Hi, I have yet another problem I am afraid.
Squeaks is I think boss pig of my two, ever since he was a teenage boar he has been the one doing the bum-sniffing and humping. Zebedee seems submissive, just squeals and occasionally tries to shake him off or makes a token lunge. However this evening the humping seems pretty constant, I don't know why. I could hear Zeb squeal from the other end of the corridor while I was clearing up after dinner, and he was still doing it when I went to clean their cage, so I put Squeaks in a separate box while I was doing the cage, to give Zeb some rest. I have just put them back in the cage (with the new VetBed) and he's at it again. Zeb is just trying to eat some hay. I don't think the humping can be helping his recovery, especially of his poorly leg.
What do I do? Should I separate them so Zeb can rest and recover in peace, or would that damage their bond? I have just put together a 2x2 c&c which he could go in underneath the main cage. Or is there something else I could do to stop the incessant humping?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I have yet another problem I am afraid.
Squeaks is I think boss pig of my two, ever since he was a teenage boar he has been the one doing the bum-sniffing and humping. Zebedee seems submissive, just squeals and occasionally tries to shake him off or makes a token lunge. However this evening the humping seems pretty constant, I don't know why. I could hear Zeb squeal from the other end of the corridor while I was clearing up after dinner, and he was still doing it when I went to clean their cage, so I put Squeaks in a separate box while I was doing the cage, to give Zeb some rest. I have just put them back in the cage (with the new VetBed) and he's at it again. Zeb is just trying to eat some hay. I don't think the humping can be helping his recovery, especially of his poorly leg.
What do I do? Should I separate them so Zeb can rest and recover in peace, or would that damage their bond? I have just put together a 2x2 c&c which he could go in underneath the main cage. Or is there something else I could do to stop the incessant humping?

I would recommend to split the cage for a day or two and re-introduce on neutral ground once the hormone spike is over a pile of hay (in view of the promised snow). The boys should ideally go simply back together as if nothing untowards has happened. I had to do this a couple of times with my two boys Nosgan and Nye when Nye's teenage hormones became too much for Nosgan.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

I would recommend to split the cage for a day or two and re-introduce on neutral ground once the hormone spike is over a pile of hay (in view of the promised snow). The boys should ideally go simply back together as if nothing untowards has happened. I had to do this a couple of times with my two boys Nosgan and Nye when Nye's teenage hormones became too much for Nosgan.

Thanks @Wiebke . Do you mean split their current cage (a ferplast 120 which is on a low table indoors). I could do that though it would mean v little space for S to run around in. Alternatively I could move the Ferplast onto the floor and put the small c&c next to it so they can still see and smell each other.

Squeaks is 2 1/4 years old now so should be past teenage hormone spikes? Do older boars have hormone spikes too ?

 

[VickiA]

I think I’d have them side by side to give Zebedee a rest. Poor chap.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke . Do you mean split their current cage (a ferplast 120 which is on a low table indoors). I could do that though it would mean v little space for S to run around in. Alternatively I could move the Ferplast onto the floor and put the small c&c next to it so they can still see and smell each other.

Squeaks is 2 1/4 years old now so should be past teenage hormone spikes? Do older boars have hormone spikes too ?

Use the two cages if you can and give it a couple of days. Adult boars (even neutered ones) can suffer the odd hormone spike. It generally doesn't lead to a fall-out and the short separation won't break the bond.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Use the two cages if you can and give it a couple of days. Adult boars (even neutered ones) can suffer the odd hormone spike. It generally doesn't lead to a fall-out and the short separation won't break the bond.

Ok I will do that. It seemed a bit quieter when I went in a moment ago, not sure if that is because I turned the main light off after I finished cleaning their cage.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Peace and harmony seemed to be reigning yesterday, so perhaps it was just a very brief hormone spike after all. But I decided to make Zeb a separate hosital cage anyway, to give him some p&q for recovery. I thought also that the humping may have been stressing Zeb a bit, as he was showing signs of the URI recurring, eg a gunky nose.
Squeaks is in their usual cage which I've moved to the floor, and Zeb is in a 2x2 next to it. So Squeaks can stand up or climb on his carrot cottage if he wants to see Zeb, though neither of them are showing signs of being desperate to get to the other. Not sure if that is good or bad!
Will they be okay like this for a couple of weeks, or would a long separation damage their bond? If the latter, how long can I leave them safely before they need to go back together?