Territorial After Cage Cleaning

[Sakano]

I have two males. Last week I cleaned out their cage they were fighting for the rest of the day for hours. I didn't know what had set them off since it never happened before. But after that day they went back to living harmoniously for the most part.

I cleaned out their cage again today and guess what? They're fighting again. Is there any way to prevent this? It's weird that it's just started happening.

 

[kenken123]

It can help if you let them play with the bedding while they're in the play pen. So they can sent mark it. Hope this helps

 

[Wiebke]

I have two males. Last week I cleaned out their cage they were fighting for the rest of the day for hours. I didn't know what had set them off since it never happened before. But after that day they went back to living harmoniously for the most part.

I cleaned out their cage again today and guess what? They're fighting again. Is there any way to prevent this? It's weird that it's just started happening.

Hi! How old are your boys? It is normal that the hierarchy needs re-establishing in any new territory, but especially during the teenage months between 4-14 months with some boys even a cage clean can trigger this.
If possible, keep a cosy or rag with their scent and wipe it over the cage and clean bedding to keep their scent in the cage. It may not be totally hygienic, but it can prevent dominance behaviour.
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Sakano]

Thanks! I'll give those suggestions a try, hopefully it will help bring peace after the cage cleanings!

 

[Julie M]

I would do what wiebke advises. I started off by just changing one side of my newly bonded boys cage at a time (2x6 c&c). It seemed to work. Now I tend to leave their cosy beds in a day after I clean the rest as then they have some familiar scents in the cage. Boars are strange creatures. Lol.

 

[piggieminder]

I do something similar to the above suggestions. I use vetbed with small fllece pee pads in the cornwes they like to wee in so when I change the bedding I leave a couple of the used pads in until the next day.

 

[Julie M]

I do something similar to the above suggestions. I use vetbed with small fllece pee pads in the cornwes they like to wee in so when I change the bedding I leave a couple of the used pads in until the next day.

How do u find vet bed as a bedding? I was thinking of trying it.

 

[piggieminder]

@Julie M I love it, I've just bought some more for my new babies.
It's heavy so it doesn't slide around in the cage. It really locks the urine underneath so not as smelly as fleece. My cages are big so I cut it into 3 as it's hard to get it into the washing machine otherwise (my machine only takes a 5kg load). Cutting it also means I don't always have to change it all in one go as they have favourite wee corners. It dries very quickly.
I would suggest buying a small bit to try in one section of your cage first before you go to the expense of kitting out the whole cage. I bought mine on ebay, you can often get end of roll off cuts cheaper than buying it elsewhere. When new it's very stiff and hard to handle but it softens up after a few washes.