Play Dominance?

[Fantasimo]

Since this is my first foray into two male pigs after a lifetime of girls or girls with boys, I find myself with all sorts of questions!

But tonight we have one in particular. My boys are now 7 months old and one of them (Oggie) has rumble strutted nearly constantly from the beginning. He will occasionally try and chase or mount his brother (Finn) but only for a split second, then either back off or run off to popcorn in great excitement. Usually Finn either ignores him, or tells him to buzz off, but tonight he tried to mount back and then ran off to popcorn himself. Sometimes they both popcorn afterwards.

So here’s my question (finally) can male pigs use dominance to trigger play in the same way that dogs do? Because to me that’s kind of what it looks like, one trying to rile the other so they can shoot off and run and popcorn.

 

[Siikibam]

Hmmm I’m not too sure about that. I think it’s more a case of ‘I’m the man!...oh I’m so happy!’ Dominance is used to show dominance rather than to trigger play.

 

[Fantasimo]

I mean, I would have said so too, but they’ve done their dominant phase (for the most part I think) and this just seemed kind of...different?

 

[Siikibam]

It happens. I’ve not seen it too often with the boys but have witnessed it once or twice. Confused little things.

PS they will get other hormone surges so just be aware.

 

[Fantasimo]

Yeah, around the 10 — 12 month stage I believe. I’m ready. But really one of my pigs is so chilled that he just ignores the hormonal one. They have two of everything but they’ve always been happy to share food and hay and there’s never really been too much chasing or mounting (except of the blink and you’ll miss it variety) just lots of chattering and strutting from Oggie.

Honestly I have no idea who the boss is, but as long as they do I’m okay with that!

 

[Siikibam]

Haha. My subdominant boar is also quite chilled. Sometimes ignores his cage mate when he’s bothering him. And in the last year he’s learnt to ‘fight his corner’ so to speak.

It took a while to work out which girl was dominant though Sounds like Oggie is. Just be careful to adhere to their hierarchy when doing anything.

Hormone surges can happen anytime within the teenage years, and afterwards as well. Maybe not as strong though, not sure.