Two Brothers Can't Seem To Bond

[fishradiohost]

Hello all,

I got my boys, Dominic and Shepard, around 10 months ago. They are both around 11 months. I adopted them as brothers, and as they grew up and started to go through puberty all seemed well. Shepard was clearly the dominant pig and Dominic knew not to mess with him. I only remember one night considering separating them, but they ending up working out their differences. Since then, and growing up through puberty, they have lots of dominance fights, nothing too crazy though.

However, for the past two months, they have been so weary of each other. They hardly want to be near each other, they fight constantly, there doesn't seem to be a clear hierarchy among the two of them (dominance fights always go both ways), they always yell at each other, and food is a huge point of tension between the two. Fights hadn't been too bad until about a week ago, they had a huge fight and I noticed a chunk of hair missing from Shepard's nose and a small bite on his lip, where Dominic had drawn blood. Since this big fight, they've been okay, I've been keeping a very watchful eye on them, they haven't been fighting badly, but they're still certainly not getting along.

And so, I need some real help and direction! Their cage is 5x2 with a loft and a big ramp, they have plenty of places to hide, two of everything, and we have a routine for all other food and treats. Another important detail is that I am going to be moving cross country in January. I am so so nervous for this, given all the fighting recently. I'm scared it's going to be way too stressful for them and they'll end up fighting and really hurting each other. At the end of the day, I want them to be happy. Do I need to consider separating or rehoming them? Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum and I’m sorry to hear of their issues.

There is a hormone spike at around 9/10 months of age. For most pairs it is a mild one and doesn’t cause issues but occasionally you get a pair that get to this spike/even towards the end of the teens and then fall out. It sounds like your pair are unfortunately one such pair.

They don’t sound to be happy. While you expect dominance, it should not: result in fights, be this constant and definitely should not be resulting in injuries. An injury causing fight is usually the end of their relationship and permanent separation there and then.
It does sound like you are probably going to need to permanently separate them.

What we would suggest is separating them as a trial. Give them a few days apart to calm down and then carry out a neutral territory reintroduction.
They may appear indifferent to each other upon separation and actually settle into separated life quite happily (that is a pretty surefire sign that they don’t want to be together.
You may also see behaviours such as bar biting, laying against the divider - but be aware these are territorial behaviours and not friendly ones

Upon the neutral territory reintroduction, it should become clear quite quickly whether they want to be back together. They will either work out their hierarchy and be fine or they will go back to being tense/potentially fight etc and in which case it has failed and they will need to be permanently separated.
If they have to live separated then each piggy needs a minimum of a 3x2 cage.

The guide below explains everything further

Bonds In Trouble

 

[fishradiohost]

Welcome to the forum and I’m sorry to hear of their issues.

There is a hormone spike at around 9/10 months of age. For most pairs it is a mild one and doesn’t cause issues but occasionally you get a pair that get to this spike/even towards the end of the teens and then fall out. It sounds like your pair are unfortunately one such pair.

They don’t sound to be happy. While you expect dominance, it should not: result in fights, be this constant and definitely should not be resulting in injuries. An injury causing fight is usually the end of their relationship and permanent separation there and then.
It does sound like you are probably going to need to permanently separate them.

What we would suggest is separating them as a trial. Give them a few days apart to calm down and then carry out a neutral territory reintroduction.
They may appear indifferent to each other upon separation and actually settle into separated life quite happily (that is a pretty surefire sign that they don’t want to be together.
You may also see behaviours such as bar biting, laying against the divider - but be aware these are territorial behaviours and not friendly ones

Upon the neutral territory reintroduction, it should become clear quite quickly whether they want to be back together. They will either work out their hierarchy and be fine or they will go back to being tense/potentially fight etc and in which case it has failed and they will need to be permanently separated.
If they have to live separated then each piggy needs a minimum of a 3x2 cage.

The guide below explains everything further

Bonds In Trouble

Thank you so much for the response. I am curious on your advice about the travel, given the idea that I should trial a separation. Do I need to arrange travel in which they are separated? Will this only add stress to them traveling alone?
After reading the Bonds in Trouble thread, I also wonder since they are so young, can they lead a happy life living as a neighbor to a boar they fell out with? I am not in a place where I am able to adopt new piggies to try to find them each a new pair.
Thanks!

 

[Piggies&buns]

You should do the trial separation now: it is just a few days apart and then the reintroduction so you will know the fate of their bond a long time before your move.
If their bond fails, then that means their separation is permanent and thus must travel separately. There is nothing you can do about it as you cannot put them back together just for travel (a confined space with two piggies who don’t get on is a recipe for disaster).

Yes they absolutely can live happy side by side. In fact if they can’t get on they are going to be happier to be apart than continue to be together.
My Wilbur and Hugo fell out when they were just 18 weeks old (after only 9 weeks together). They have lived separated for three years now and are much happier to not have to share territory with each other!
(Wilbur was briefly bonded with one of my older boars when he lost his cage mate until he himself passed away. Hugo and Wilbur are now back side by side and will remain that way as I’m ending my piggy cycle).