Two boars had a big fight

[Richard Pashley]

Hi, I have two boars about 5/6 months old. I have had them for two months and I've never had guinea pigs before. My daughter has called them Moonlight and the other Starlight and they both share an indoor cage together about 120com long and 60cm wide

I've had no big problems until Sunday when I noticed them both having a nose off, showing teeth and then Starlight hunching up on his back legs and ready for a fight. Moonlight pounced on Starlight, what a jump, but missed. I separated them for the morning and then in the afternoon got them outside in a run in some shade with plenty of space. They clearly still had issues and irritated with each other even with all the grass and food etc to distract them.

I cleaned the cage downed and then a few hours later put them back into the cage together to see if they calmed down. Then about 20mins they both flared up and jumped at each other rolling around and fighting, biting etc, it was a full on fight and very nerve-racking as my daughter was watching at the time. I had to intervene carefully and separate them for the night. Moonlight had a bloody foot but otherwise having checked them both without other serious injuries.

I understand they might be hormonal and the two boys are going through puberty, but should I get them back together?
ny ideas what I should do next?

 

[DM2]

I would re introduce them to each other slowly and feed them treats whenever they do something nice to each other ! It’s normal for two boys have a fight!

 

[Richard Pashley]

Thank you for the reply, I try and re-introduce them slowly tonight and see how they get on sitting by the cage just in case!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I have two boars about 5/6 months old. I have had them for two months and I've never had guinea pigs before. My daughter has called them Moonlight and the other Starlight and they both share an indoor cage together about 120com long and 60cm wide

I've had no big problems until Sunday when I noticed them both having a nose off, showing teeth and then Starlight hunching up on his back legs and ready for a fight. Moonlight pounced on Starlight, what a jump, but missed. I separated them for the morning and then in the afternoon got them outside in a run in some shade with plenty of space. They clearly still had issues and irritated with each other even with all the grass and food etc to distract them.

I cleaned the cage downed and then a few hours later put them back into the cage together to see if they calmed down. Then about 20mins they both flared up and jumped at each other rolling around and fighting, biting etc, it was a full on fight and very nerve-racking as my daughter was watching at the time. I had to intervene carefully and separate them for the night. Moonlight had a bloody foot but otherwise having checked them both without other serious injuries.

I understand they might be hormonal and the two boys are going through puberty, but should I get them back together?
ny ideas what I should do next?

Hi and welcome

Your two boys have unfortunately just hit the biggest hormone infusion of the whole teenage months; they have testosterone singing and dancing throughout their body. It is the time when most fights and fall-outs happen.

Please give them time to cool down (at at least one or two days) while you make any plans in case they are not going back together.
Take the time to read this very detailed guide here that is taking you through all aspects of the whole process.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

If you want to try a re-introduction on neutral ground, please follow the bonding guide links and the advice given. Have your oven gloves and a sparator ready; DO NOT get in between them with bare hands! Please do not bank on it, though!

 

[Wiebke]

I would re introduce them to each other slowly and feed them treats whenever they do something nice to each other ! It’s normal for two boys have a fight!

Thank you for the reply, I try and re-introduce them slowly tonight and see how they get on sitting by the cage just in case!

Please DO NOT try to introduce them tonight (much too soon) and do not introduce them 'slowly' - boar bonding is either full on or not at all. And this is NOT a 'boars fight all the time' - there is a clear line between a minor scuffle and a full-on rolling ball!

Can I remind any new members to only give advice if they have personal experience with any particular issue.
Thank you!

 

[Richard Pashley]

Thank you for the guidance, I will not re-introduce them tonight and I'll make sure to follow the bond guide link beforehand.
In the meantime, I will be making plans just in case.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the guidance, I will not re-introduce them tonight and I'll make sure to follow the bond guide link beforehand.
In the meantime, I will be making plans just in case.

The guide lists all the possible options with their pros and cons, so you can hopefully make an informed decision as which is the best way forward.

All the best!

 

[Reenie]

Wiebke is our resident expert on behaviours, so definitely follow her advice. I've a trio of boars who have minor scuffles from time to time, but I have seen a full on fight with another piggy I was fostering, and it is a way different affair. What you have described definitely seems like the 'we mean it' end of the scale, so be prepared for a future bonding attempt not to work. Unfortunately boars sometimes just don't get on despite your best efforts, so don't blame yourself if it doesn't work. Good luck x

 

[Richard Pashley]

Thank you, I'll try not to blame myself!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, I'll try not to blame myself!

Key to any successful piggy bond is mutual liking and character compatibility as well as lots of space for boars.
Shops and breeders selling same-ages babies for looks cannot provide that vital factor and still sell cheap hamster cages as 'starter cages' for guinea pigs to win repeat impulse customers.
Only a good standard rescue will - but sadly far too few people or online place know of this or would consider or recommend adopting from a good rescue in the first place. Most people discover going rescue as the safest way only when they run into trouble and for their second set of piggies (fall-out, unplanned pregnancies/babies, bereavement, re-start etc.)

Sadly too many boars have to pay the price of ignorance by being dumped, bounced back as aggressive/unbondable/biters, sold on via free-ads, brought to a euthanising (US) shelter/(UK) pound or kept in single confinement for the rest of their lives. The lucky few end up in a good standard rescue that will pair them up, either with another boar or as a neutered boar to live with sows.

The VERY lucky ones have devoted piggy parents who will do their best to find a solution that keeps their needs in mind.

Please don't feel guilty; how you deal with the situation is where you show whether you are a caring owner or not!

 

[Richard Pashley]

Thanks again for the reply it is all really useful for me as a newbie.
I am keen to be a devoted piggy parent, in fact, I am taking one to the vets as he doesn't seem himself.
Last night I made a makeshift cage for them to be close to each other but not in the same cage.
I did notice them talking to each other and also teeth chattering to each other as if they still have compatibility issues!
I also briefly cuddle them separately to check each over again. However, I used the same towel in handle each so when I went to pick up Starlight he straight away picked up the scent of the other and started to rumble and teeth chatter immediately, he was in a state hence I'm taking him to the vet tonight.
I probably should have washed my hands and used a different towel but I honestly didn't think and I am learning fast what not to do.
Moonlight is very keen to get back with Starlight and calls often to him.

From what I read about re-introducing and bonding I am correct to try lap time together first with them both?
Or, from what I have said above is this a no go with each other as I just fear if they are together they will have another fight.
Anyway, again thanks for the help it is very much appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks again for the reply it is all really useful for me as a newbie.
I am keen to be a devoted piggy parent, in fact, I am taking one to the vets as he doesn't seem himself.
Last night I made a makeshift cage for them to be close to each other but not in the same cage.
I did notice them talking to each other and also teeth chattering to each other as if they still have compatibility issues!
I also briefly cuddle them separately to check each over again. However, I used the same towel in handle each so when I went to pick up Starlight he straight away picked up the scent of the other and started to rumble and teeth chatter immediately, he was in a state hence I'm taking him to the vet tonight.
I probably should have washed my hands and used a different towel but I honestly didn't think and I am learning fast what not to do.
Moonlight is very keen to get back with Starlight and calls often to him.

From what I read about re-introducing and bonding I am correct to try lap time together first with them both?
Or, from what I have said above is this a no go with each other as I just fear if they are together they will have another fight.
Anyway, again thanks for the help it is very much appreciated.

Please switch to weighing daily at the same time (instead of a regular weekly weigh-in) if you are worried about a piggy and start offering top up syringe feed to help keep the guts going and the weight as steady as possible once your piggy has lost more than 50g in a short amount in a matter of days. 80% or more of the daily food intake is hay, which you cannot control otherwise. Good that you are seeing a vet promptly.
It can be the fight, the stress or the current heatwave that is all contributing.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide


As long as there is teeth chattering through the fence, you will not get anywhere with any bonding apart from another fight - they still have rather strong feelings about what has happened!
With separated boars you always have to ignore the willingness of the more dominant boar and look at the boar who is not so happy to get back together. It means that there is a major problem in the relationship and that is actually dysfunctional.
Personally, I would leave be and draw the line. I know that the signs are very subtle and not at all what you want to see, but they are definitely there. In the longer term they are better off if you didn't push them too far and force another fight.

You may find out New Owners' guide collection helpful; we are addressing the most often asked about issues in detail and have included information that will help you to understand guinea pigs and their needs better.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

You can find a lot more information on a very wide range of issues via our guides shortcut on the top bar.

 

[Richard Pashley]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your quick reply, helpful links and just been there to professionally advise.
I would encourage anyone new to join the forum and don't hesitate to post any concerns and questions you have.
From my recent experience, I have come to appreciate and learn loads than I would have from a book etc.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your quick reply, helpful links and just been there to professionally advise.
I would encourage anyone new to join the forum and don't hesitate to post any concerns and questions you have.
From my recent experience, I have come to appreciate and learn loads than I would have from a book etc.

Thank you! We try our best to create and maintain a friendly atmosphere in which it is possible to ask any questions you would not dare ask elsewhere and have it answered in a supportive way. We also aim to provide good quality support and advice and not be just another one of the many do it yourself hip-shooting online places as well has having a lively but friendly community where everybody respects and supports the others.

Please let us know how you are getting on at the vets! Are your boys indoors or outdoors?
Here is our hot weather advice: Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes