Hi, I have 4 boars living together (which we now realise was wrongly advised - we were told they would be ok). We've had them since they were young and are now a year old. We have had no issues unitl now. We have noticed that one of them has bite marks and loss of hair on the back. I have identified the bully - but don't know what to do. The cage is big enough that the bullied one can get away, but I don't want this to be the case - he should not be getting bullied. I need advice on the solution? Do I remove the bully and one of the non bullied ones (how am I certain they are also non bullied? - I have seen the 'bully' nipping the others but not to the extent of the injured one) or do I just remove the bully (leaving him non paired?). All advice is welcome.
Please Help - Bullying Advice Needed....
- Thread starter Smitgla
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2 pairs of boars is a much more stable solution.
Hi and welcome!
Please have the boar with bite marks and hair loss on the back checked for mange mites by a good vet. If that is the case, you need to treat all guinea pigs in contact with a high dosed ivermectin product, not the cheap low dosed broad spectrum stuff pet shop, which can do more harm than good. Please do not home treat on spec without a diagnosis.
Mange mite eggs are present in the skin of most guinea pigs. Normally they are kept under control by a fully working immune system, but stress (like from bullying) or illness can mean that this check is no longer working. It is more effective and ultimately cheaper treating your guinea pigs with a full 3-4 rounds course of high dosed ivermectin (in the US, selamectin in revolution is also sometimes used) during an acute outbreak than building up resistence in the eggs by using low dosed ivermectin; first cases of that have been reported in recent years.
In view of that, it may be better to split your boys into two compatible teams. You can be very proud that you have got that far with the most volatile constellation of boars at the most difficult age! Nipping is mild dominance behaviour; it is meant as a painless demonstration of power, not as an aggressive behaviour. You must have a very laid back bunch indeed!
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