Oh Algernon! Bullying older cage mate

[alexr]

I think I’m in for a bit of a restless night...

Before Christmas I managed to match my single boars Rupert and Algernon up with rescue piggies after they fell out some months ago.

Rupert and his younger 6 month old friend Claudio seem content aside from lots of humping to let the teenager know who’s boss.

My issue is with Algernon. He is just less than a year old and he chose a big, calm 2.5yr old boar called Harry during his boar dating. Despite being younger, Algy is clearly the boss.

However, on occasion, he keeps pushing the limits and chases Harry about, nips him, humps him aggressively and does his best to start a fight. For the most part, Harry refuses to rise to the bait as he is very placid.

This evening they played happily during floor time. I have started mingling their scents on a cloth so they are happy even if other pigs have been roaming about before them. This has worked well. The issue was when they went back to their cage. Algy started pursuing, climbing on and winding up Harry relentlessly and Harry was getting very annoyed. I kept taking Algy out and giving him a talking to. I checked Harry over and there are no obvious signs of wounds. It escalated to just about to fight state several times. They’ve calmed down a lot now but I’m so worried they’ll fight while I’m in bed. However, I’m concerned separating would be a mistake. For the most part, Harry’s refusal to participate in Algy’s dramas has de-escalated the situation.
Let’s hope all’s well in the morning!

 

[Kelly_uk18]

Ahh I'm bonding my 2 boars I adopted and one minute the 15m old is clearly boss but he winds up the 5 month old and he isnt so placid as to take it always. I think he has issues lol
It is terrifying and nerve wracking for sure. I haven't any advice as I'm new to it all, I'm very interested how this works out for you as my younger one does some of the dominant behaviours and might have a change of hierarchy in the cage when hormones change x

 

[DM030819]

@alexr I have a couple of boars that are fine together but if they ever have floor time after my others have been out then turn into little humping monsters. I have to make sure they either have floor time first so there's no other smells or they have floor time in a different room.

 

[alexr]

Ahh I'm bonding my 2 boars I adopted and one minute the 15m old is clearly boss but he winds up the 5 month old and he isnt so placid as to take it always. I think he has issues lol
It is terrifying and nerve wracking for sure. I haven't any advice as I'm new to it all, I'm very interested how this works out for you as my younger one does some of the dominant behaviours and might have a change of hierarchy in the cage when hormones change x

I think the issue is that Algy is not 100% out of the hormonal phase and keeps testing how much he can get away with. Luckily it’s all calm today and Harry is able to move about freely without being harassed. Let’s hope it was a blip!

 

[alexr]

@alexr I have a couple of boars that are fine together but if they ever have floor time after my others have been out then turn into little humping monsters. I have to make sure they either have floor time first so there's no other smells or they have floor time in a different room.

They were really calm and happy during floor time. I wonder if the issue was their cage fleece. I always wash at 60deg but I use the first one that comes to hand as they’re the same pattern and I don’t know which one belongs to which set. Perhaps a residual smell. I think next time I’ll put a little pile of their dirty litter in which is annoying as I like them to be immaculate. They’re calm today so let’s hope it was a blip.
I’d like to upgrade to three C&C cages later in the year for more space but I need to save up for these grand designs! Three pairs of boar houses to design.

 

[Merab]

I think I’m in for a bit of a restless night...

Before Christmas I managed to match my single boars Rupert and Algernon up with rescue piggies after they fell out some months ago.

Rupert and his younger 6 month old friend Claudio seem content aside from lots of humping to let the teenager know who’s boss.

My issue is with Algernon. He is just less than a year old and he chose a big, calm 2.5yr old boar called Harry during his boar dating. Despite being younger, Algy is clearly the boss.

However, on occasion, he keeps pushing the limits and chases Harry about, nips him, humps him aggressively and does his best to start a fight. For the most part, Harry refuses to rise to the bait as he is very placid.

This evening they played happily during floor time. I have started mingling their scents on a cloth so they are happy even if other pigs have been roaming about before them. This has worked well. The issue was when they went back to their cage. Algy started pursuing, climbing on and winding up Harry relentlessly and Harry was getting very annoyed. I kept taking Algy out and giving him a talking to. I checked Harry over and there are no obvious signs of wounds. It escalated to just about to fight state several times. They’ve calmed down a lot now but I’m so worried they’ll fight while I’m in bed. However, I’m concerned separating would be a mistake. For the most part, Harry’s refusal to participate in Algy’s dramas has de-escalated the situation.
Let’s hope all’s well in the morning!

Hope they sort themselves out.
I have sows and bonding them was stressful enough

 

[Merab]

Ahh I'm bonding my 2 boars I adopted and one minute the 15m old is clearly boss but he winds up the 5 month old and he isnt so placid as to take it always. I think he has issues lol
It is terrifying and nerve wracking for sure. I haven't any advice as I'm new to it all, I'm very interested how this works out for you as my younger one does some of the dominant behaviours and might have a change of hierarchy in the cage when hormones change x

Welcome to the forum
Hope the bonding goes well.
The foruguides on bonding are well worth reading
Keep us posted