Not sure who is the boss!

[SueJ69]

Hi all

I am new to Guinea pigs and have 2boars about 4 months old. Dougal, who is slightly larger and Jamie. Jamie is constantly bottom wiggling with a low growl but it seems that Dougal is quite clearly the boss. Jamie will move out of the way if Dougal wants to get pellets or water. I’m a little confused as I thought the boar displaying was the boss but could this may end in a fight for dominance? Or am I totally misreading the signs with the dominant boar showing respect?

Any thoughts would be helpful

Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

It is sometimes the case that both boars display these behaviours. Some are just happy like that but they know how their hierarchy works and who is in charge.

What is important is that they have the space - 180x60cm; that there is two of everything in the cage; that all hides have two exits; cleaning half the cage at a time so you never fully remove scent.
We also recommend that you do everything for the dominant first. That will obviously be a bit tricky if you can’t tell which one it is but it may also be that they don’t mind. In some cases if you do something for the submissive first, then that upsets the dominant and makes the dominant to become even more dominant to assert their position - in one way that would then help you determine who it is.
But it may just be that they are laid back and aren’t going to mind.
My old pair dexter and popcorn were like that. They are both now passed but they were a laid back couple with popcorn being the boss, but Dexter did all the mounting and popcorn did all the rumbling!

We recommend that you scatter feed veg and their one tablespoon of pellets each around the cage instead of using food bowls. This helps as enrichment and mental stimulation but also means that there is less likely to be dispute over it as they can both be away from each other when eating.
They may be happy to share but it’s about minimising any potential flashpoints as they become teenagers.

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on teen boars and have a back up plan in mind just in case.

 

[SueJ69]

Thank you. Is it possible that the less dominant is female? Dougal shows no signs whatsoever of dominant behaviour

 

[Piggies&buns]

Not all piggies will show dominance but they can be in charge they just don’t feel the need to constantly assert because the other piggy respects them. It can be the case that if dominance displays are excessive, then it can be because the dominant is not confident in themselves so they go overboard.
It is also possible that Jamie is the boss.
They will know their hierarchy so it doesn’t really matter if you can’t tell.
Even In a boar/ sow relationship it is not always the case that the boar is the dominant one anyway - often the sow is in charge.

However, more importantly If you are concerned that you may have a missexed pair then you must check them right now

 

[wheek!guinea]

Hi all

I am new to Guinea pigs and have 2boars about 4 months old. Dougal, who is slightly larger and Jamie. Jamie is constantly bottom wiggling with a low growl but it seems that Dougal is quite clearly the boss. Jamie will move out of the way if Dougal wants to get pellets or water. I’m a little confused as I thought the boar displaying was the boss but could this may end in a fight for dominance? Or am I totally misreading the signs with the dominant boar showing respect?

Any thoughts would be helpful

Thanks

Definitely double check with your vet to see if both are males, as you will have babies on your hands if not. But if they're both boars, this sounds very normal and they could be doing this type of behavior forever. Hierarchies also change, and you see more conflict around the 6 month and 18 month mark when hormones are high. I had my boars from when they were both 3 months old and had them ever since, one is 5 years old now, and sadly the other passed away last year but my point is, that they always stayed rumblestrutting, chasing, and argued but never fought and got along well. Unless you see a real fight that needs to be separated, all of it is normal and they will figure it out; just know they may always do that forever with one another. Be sure there is two of everything in the cage, and ample amount of space as 2 boars need a minimum of 2x6 in a C&C cage and there are other charts online if you're using a different type of caging. I found with boars having two of everything including water bottle, pellet bowls, vegetable bowls and hideys are crucial along with ample amount of space. Sometimes boars get moody with one another and need space to get away from their buddy, so it's important they have that opportunity if needed.

 

[Piggies&buns]

. Be sure there is two of everything in the cage, and ample amount of space as 2 boars need a minimum of 2x6 in a C&C cage and there are other charts online if you're using a different type of caging. I found with boars having two of everything including water bottle, pellet bowls, vegetable bowls and hideys are crucial along with ample amount of space.

2x5 is the recommended cage size (not 2x6 as a minimum) but bigger is always better

We don’t recommend the use of food bowls at all for either veg or pellets