Rehomed bonded pair fighting

B

Brucehoose

New Born Pup
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
35
We have just this week rehomed a pair of boars, approx 2 years old. The previous owner advised that there were no problems - however whenever they cross paths in the cage we are seeing LOTS of yawning, teeth chattering, and chasing. Now one has pulled out the other’s hair a few times. We have separated them- but is this the right thing to do so soon? Any advice please?!
 
Don’t separate them unless blood is drawn. They need to go through this to re-establish their dominance positions. Separating them is stressful for them and will cause them to have to start the process all over again when they get put back together. Put them back together and let them get on with it. Watch them closely though but only separate if there is a full on fight with blood drawn. If that happens, then they will never be able to go back together again.
The change in environment from their old home to yours is most likely what has caused this.
Make sure they have plenty of space - two boars need more room than the average pair of sows. Make sure you have two bowls, two bottles and plenty of open ended hidey houses so that no one can get cornered by the other piggie.
 
Welcome to the forum.
Is it possible that the previous owner was not honest? In rescue we often get handed in pairs of boars who are “no trouble” and “love each other” but who clearly are not a well bonded pair and should have been separated sooner (usually the presence of bite marks, scabs and tattered ears tells the tale.
Alternatively, has the change of surroundings caused them to need to reestablish their hierarchy? What size cage have they come from and what size cage do you have?
Please read the following guides which explain boar behaviour.
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
 
Brucehoose said:
We have just this week rehomed a pair of boars, approx 2 years old. The previous owner advised that there were no problems - however whenever they cross paths in the cage we are seeing LOTS of yawning, teeth chattering, and chasing. Now one has pulled out the other’s hair a few times. We have separated them- but is this the right thing to do so soon? Any advice please?!
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry about your problem. A move to a new home can derail a boar bond that is not as stable as expected.
Piggies have to re-establish their group hierarchy in any new surroundings. If there have been pre-existing issues or old grudges simmering under the surface, this can lead to problems or even fall-outs in adult pairs over which of them comes top in the new home.

In order to minimise the impact of the change, we strongly recommend to use old bedding and uncleaned hideys and to wipe down any new cages/hutches/extensions with scent marked fabric or bedding, so it smells like 'ours' and can hopefully prevent a full blown confrontation. Please also remove anything that could spark a fight.

I would recommend to let your boys cool down overnight and then try to do a proper formal re-introduction on neutral ground. You should relatively shortly see whether they come to an agreement or not - in the second case, things will come to a head fairly quickly.
Have thick oven gloves at the ready to protect your hands from instinctive deep defence bites from riled up boys - they will react to any sudden movement without thinking of they feel cornered or attacked.

Please take the time to read this guide about boars in crisis. It discusses all aspects in detail and gives you practical help from stabilising measures, temporary separations, re-introductions, fall-outs and your further options.
You may end up with a bonded can't live together and can't live apart boar pair that need to have separate territories but full time interaction through the bars like a number of forum members have.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
Thanks for all comments.. still no blood drawn but I’ve found tufts of fur and a couple of scabs- I think from this.
As soon as they come into
contact with each other in the cage they shake, make the ‘durr’ noise and lots of teeth chattering. They have their original cage, hidee house (plus a new one), toys etc. Bowls are new and now new fleece. The cage is 5 x 2 c&c exactly as it came with them. Is this too small? (
We’ve had them since Tuesday and it’s now Sunday- I was hoping the hierarchy might be established by now!
I will read the info that you’ve added, thanks very much.
It does sound like they may be a ‘can’t live together, can’t live apart’ as you say but really don’t want to do that to them unless necessary but they seem very unhappy. Thanks everyone
 
I think it can sometimes take a while for it to settle down (somewhere between days to weeks I have seen noted somewhere). I’d leave them longer and see what happens a while down the line (assuming things don’t escalate in that time). My boys have been together for six months and they still sometimes bicker!
In theory a 5x2 shouldn’t be too small but you never know. Mine were in a 4x2 but are now in a 4x4 with an upstairs area and things are much better between them
 
Thanks, we do have some extra pieces for the cage so can convert if necessary. Good to know, thank you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top