Teeth chattering

Piggy_novice

Piggy_novice

Junior Guinea Pig
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We rescued 2 bonded boars last weekend. There has been some rumbling, chasing etc but tonight the more dominant one is not letting the other out of the hay tray and has been teeth chattering for about an hour or so. Other one making usual submissive noises but every time he tried to come out tray was getting chased so he’s just staying there now.

I cleaned their hay tray out today but not full cage clean. Can’t think of anything else that might have set them off. Not sure if I should be worried or they’re likely to sort it out amongst themselves? There hasn’t been any fighting just lots of noise.
 
It’s probably the dominant one just asserting his...dominance! When they move to an new place they will usually have to re-establish their positions in the hierarchy.

Do you mean he’d be chased when he left the litter tray, so decided to just remain there? How are they now?
 
They’re at opposite ends of the cage. The submissive one is still in the litter tray and the dominant one on the wee ledge at the other side. I wonder if I should remove the ledge so he can’t claim it as his own? The submissive pig has been up there plenty but it’s definitely where the dominant one likes to lie.

They seem to have calmed down a bit now. The teeth chattering has not been too loud it’s just out of the ordinary for them. I’m hoping it’s just part of them settling in still.
 
Normally they both wander about the cage but tonight the submissive one has definitely been chased back to the hay tray repeatedly. There’s a water bottle and hay at each end of the cage.
 
Do you also have more than one hide for them?
 
There are 2 wooden tunnels for hides and both ends of the cage have blankets covering (one of the blankets was off yesterday getting washed and went back on this morning, I wonder if that change has upset them?) seem to have calmed down again so hopefully whatever it was has passed. Will keep a close eye tomorrow and make sure Fred’s not being bullied into staying in the hay tray.

Thank you so much for replying. I’m just worried I’ve done something to upset them as they’ve settled so well.
 
It’s not you, it’s them. Literally 😁🤷🏾‍♀️ Boars can be funny creatures sometimes but they will hopefully be fine. It’s only been a couple of days so they usually take some time to settle into their new surroundings. When you handle or feed, do you sort the dominant pig first?

This is a good thread for you to read through, particularly the part about ‘boarsonalising’.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
 
just wondered if you have two hay trays,the dominant piggie cannot be in two places at the same time.@Siikibam has given you some excellent ideas.
 
We have more peace this morning, both are sitting side by side in the hay tray enjoying some fresh hay. No teeth chattering just the usual rumbling and squeaking which is good.

I have said again to my daughter about making sure George (the dominant Piggie) always gets fed and handled first. She had friends in yesterday and they were giving the piggies they’re veggies so wonder if Fred got fed first/ more and that’s caused issues.

Still haven’t seen Fred out of the hay tray so I’ll keep an eye on them today. I’ve read the boar guides and behaviour threads but just needed a bit of reassurance
 
I might buy extension for cage and put second hay tray in, that’s a good idea. The cage is a plaza 160 but can get a 40cm extension which would give them bit of extra space which from what I’ve read can only be a good thing.
 
Piggy_novice said:
I might buy extension for cage and put second hay tray in, that’s a good idea. The cage is a plaza 160 but can get a 40cm extension which would give them bit of extra space which from what I’ve read can only be a good thing.
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More space and 2 of everything is a good idea!
 
There’s definitely an element of bullying going on just now. Poor Fred is chased every time he tries to leave the hay tray. They were both out in playpen earlier and it was a bit better but now they’re back in cage Fred’s stuck in the hay and George wandering around ready to chase him.
 
Yes they’re a bonded pair we rescued, approx 2 1/2 years old so should be past teenage hormones. I’m hoping it’s just them settling into a new home and not their bond failing. They’ve been sitting in hay tray with each other but George not letting Fred out of the tray for more than a minute. No teeth chattering or fighting so I’m hoping it’ll pass and they’ll get back to normal soon.
They’re both lovely piggies but I’m feeling really sorry for Fred today. I’ve noticed the plaza 140 cage is only £10 more than just the 40cm extension so I’m going to order that and try using it’s extension but at least I’ll have an option if worst comes to the worst.
 
Piggy_novice said:
Yes they’re a bonded pair we rescued, approx 2 1/2 years old so should be past teenage hormones. I’m hoping it’s just them settling into a new home and not their bond failing. They’ve been sitting in hay tray with each other but George not letting Fred out of the tray for more than a minute. No teeth chattering or fighting so I’m hoping it’ll pass and they’ll get back to normal soon.
They’re both lovely piggies but I’m feeling really sorry for Fred today. I’ve noticed the plaza 140 cage is only £10 more than just the 40cm extension so I’m going to order that and try using it’s extension but at least I’ll have an option if worst comes to the worst.
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At this age and, as a bonded pair, it’s most likely just the re-establishing of dominance in new surroundings. Is Fred able to get to the food? If not, try abandoning bowls and scattering pellets and veg on the floor all round the cage so George can’t guard it all at the one time. Hopefully this will settle down.
 
VickiA said:
At this age and, as a bonded pair, it’s most likely just the re-establishing of dominance in new surroundings. Is Fred able to get to the food? If not, try abandoning bowls and scattering pellets and veg on the floor all round the cage so George can’t guard it all at the one time. Hopefully this will settle down.
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Yes I’ve made sure Fred can get food. Hand fed them veggies and they had some in playpen this afternoon when Fred got a little run as George more shy and hid in tunnel. I used 2 bowls for pellets and put them opposite ends of cage so Fred got out hay tray to eat while George was distracted.

There’s a water bottle by hay tray and one opposite end of the cage so both have access to water.

They’ve sat together at times and it’s much calmer this evening so hopefully they’ll settle down again.
 
A few years ago I had two brothers that lived happily together until I put a tent in their house it caused chaos as they both wanted it for them selves so I had to take it out and have two of every item and bed for them. They settled down after that 🧐
 
Jess565 said:
A few years ago I had two brothers that lived happily together until I put a tent in their house it caused chaos as they both wanted it for them selves so I had to take it out and have two of every item and bed for them. They settled down after that 🧐
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Tent-gate ⛺️😂

Mine are the same with super soft fleeces, although they did share the best one briefly tonight (for about ten seconds...but still, progress!)
 
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