Trio of males - squabbles?!

[Amanda1801]

So, for those of you who don't know, I have a trio of bonded males.

A bit of history for you...

I took on three males, about 2 years ago now, two adults, Big Dave and Boxy (Boxy was already castrated), and a baby, Little Dave.

I got them in the August, and by November/December, the two Daves were fighting and drawing blood - so they both went in for castration (on Christmas eve - merry Christmas boys!). Soon after castration, they got along fine. They have been a happy trio for 18 months with no problems at all.

Now, I'm having squabbles (not fights) between Boxy and Little Dave. (Little Dave still rumblestruts, and always has done. I haven't seen Big Dave rumble strut after about a month post castration, and I've never seen Boxy do it.)

They aren't hurting each other, they aren't biting, but Boxy is going up against Little Dave, head in the air, squeaking at him, and chasing him away. There's no actual biting, teeth chattering or anything.

It's very unusual behaviour for Boxy. They have previously had scuffles in the past, but very very rarely. This is now happening daily, all of a sudden, no gradual build up or anything. Big Dave isn't involved at all, he just sits and minds his own business rolleyes

So... any ideas what could have caused this change in behaviour, and any suggestions as to what to do about it?

 

[heavenlydemonick]

Well I'm not sure about the behavior change now but I just want to say, I thought castration didn't change the way boars behaved? And a trio of boars is very rarely a stable relationship so they could be having a fall out? But a more experienced owner might be able to help you better than me.

 

[Amanda1801]

Well I'm not sure about the behavior change now but I just want to say, I thought castration didn't change the way boars behaved? And a trio of boars is very rarely a stable relationship so they could be having a fall out? But a more experienced owner might be able to help you better than me.

Theres many different views regarding castration and behaviour.

Personally, I think it *can* make a difference, removing the testicles removes the production of sex hormones, which are responsible for the behaviours. Personally, the change in my boys behaviours is enough to convince me that it can alter behaviour.

They have been very stable for over 18 months, no problems what so ever, why now arghhh

 

[Doeylicious]

Maybe it's just moving house - everything will smell a little bit different now, they will be in a new space, things like that could set them off I believe.

I am not too good with boars tho, more used to stroppy sows!

 

[Amanda1801]

Maybe it's just moving house - everything will smell a little bit different now, they will be in a new space, things like that could set them off I believe.

I am not too good with boars tho, more used to stroppy sows!

Yeah thats about the only thing I can think of! I'm still not sure what to do about it - they have plenty of room to get away from each other and stuff... dunno what else to do!

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Theres many different views regarding castration and behaviour.

Personally, I think it *can* make a difference, removing the testicles removes the production of sex hormones, which are responsible for the behaviours. Personally, the change in my boys behaviours is enough to convince me that it can alter behaviour.

They have been very stable for over 18 months, no problems what so ever, why now arghhh

I've no experience of it, but it makes complete sense that it can make a difference. I always wondered about it, so that's cool to see that it did make a change with your boys.
Maybe it's like with dogs, if they are already sexually mature then it doesn't make a complete difference, but can still make some difference to them.

 

[Amanda1801]

I've no experience of it, but it makes complete sense that it can make a difference. I always wondered about it, so that's cool to see that it did make a change with your boys.
Maybe it's like with dogs, if they are already sexually mature then it doesn't make a complete difference, but can still make some difference to them.

Yeah, that's my thoughts on the matter. They were always going to be castrated anyway for health reasons, I didn't do it purely on a behaviour basis, it's just that their behaviour caused me to get them castrated sooner (i.e. before xmas!) lol

 

[mojo100]

Hi

I have a very similar problem - I have 3 males all the same age - two from one litter and one from another, but they have lived together since they were tiny. The dominant male (Buster) harrasses the smallest one (Einstein) - no biting or drawing blood but he chases him around the cage and causes Einstein to squeal loudly and sound very distressed.

As there doesn't seem to be any physical harm, and Einstein is happily eating and drinking (and on occasion still pinching food from Buster) I'm tempted to think it's just normal - I've never had guinea pigs before so don't really have anything to compare it to. But on the other hand I'm concerned that Einstein is being bullied and can't get away, which isn't going to make for a good quality of life for him.....

Does anyone more experienced in the strange ways of the guinea pig have any suggestions or opinions about this? Would be great to have some reassurance that all is normal or ideas of how to make this better.

Huge thanks

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Theres many different views regarding castration and behaviour.

Personally, I think it *can* make a difference, removing the testicles removes the production of sex hormones, which are responsible for the behaviours. Personally, the change in my boys behaviours is enough to convince me that it can alter behaviour.

They have been very stable for over 18 months, no problems what so ever, why now arghhh

I agree - one of my boars was really bothering his brother, chasing and mounting him to the extent I feared I would have to split them to give the passive piggy a rest
After neutering, there has been zero interest
Think I might have my OH neutered rolleyes