Understanding what is triggering close-fights between Boars?

[Alamerona]

Hi TGPF - Our two Boars, Bluebear (1y 8m) and Walker (8m) have been loudly chattering at eachother sporadically the last few days; it seems to come and go in spurts, and it appears that Bluebear is always the instigator; previously Bluebear was the submissive, but is now trying to become the dominant.

We've observed that they seem to calm down when they're in a larger floor cage (Approx. same size as a 5x5 C&C cage), as opposed to their main cage (A 3x5 C&C) - We don't know if we need to expand their cage, as they have two of everything. Two hay boxes, two bottles, two hideys (Total of 3 in the cage), two food bowls, all on opposite sides to help them establish their territories.

Saying this, we've had a few leaps from Bluebear at Walker, but want to understand this better.

Otherwise both are eating and drinking fine, and have no wounds and have had no 'proper' fights.

How can we better understand the triggers for these little fights? Do we need to expand our cage?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi TGPF - Our two Boars, Bluebear (1y 8m) and Walker (8m) have been loudly chattering at eachother sporadically the last few days; it seems to come and go in spurts, and it appears that Bluebear is always the instigator; previously Bluebear was the submissive, but is now trying to become the dominant.

We've observed that they seem to calm down when they're in a larger floor cage (Approx. same size as a 5x5 C&C cage), as opposed to their main cage (A 3x5 C&C) - We don't know if we need to expand their cage, as they have two of everything. Two hay boxes, two bottles, two hideys (Total of 3 in the cage), two food bowls, all on opposite sides to help them establish their territories.

Saying this, we've had a few leaps from Bluebear at Walker, but want to understand this better.

Otherwise both are eating and drinking fine, and have no wounds and have had no 'proper' fights.

How can we better understand the triggers for these little fights? Do we need to expand our cage?

Hi and welcome

8-10 months is the typical age in which teenage boars push their boundaries often right up to breaking point but generally not necessarily beyond. It can however make for some rather stressful weeks for owners.

Please take the time to read these guides here. You will find them very helpful:
- A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (especially chapters 2 and 3; Ages and Boar Dos and Don'ts)
- Journey through a Lifetime: The Ages of Guinea Pigs (how piggies develop from birth to death; of special interest for you is the teenage chapter)
- Lots of very practical information for all ages in here: Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
- Dominance behaviours: Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Pigwhisperer]

I think a 3 x 5 c&c is below the minimum space recommended for a boar pair. Should be in the threads above anyway.

 

[Piggies&buns]

A 3x5 is larger than recommended for a boar pair. The recommended size is a 2x5. So they do have plenty of space and expanding the cage shouldn’t be necessary. Expanding the cage will mean a change in territories which will cause an increase in dominance in itself

Are you certain Walker has been the dominant? Adult boars can still experience hormone spikes so even though Bluebear is in excess of 18 months old, it may be that. Walker at 8 months is right at the time of a teenage hormone spike also.
If Bluebear is trying to take over as dominant, how is Walker taking it?

 

[Alamerona]

A 3x5 is larger than recommended for a boar pair. The recommended size is a 2x5. So they do have plenty of space and expanding the cage shouldn’t be necessary. Expanding the cage will mean a change in territories which will cause an increase in dominance in itself

Are you certain Walker has been the dominant? Adult boars can still experience hormone spikes so even though Bluebear is in excess of 18 months old, it may be that. Walker at 8 months is right at the time of a teenage hormone spike also.
If Bluebear is trying to take over as dominant, how is Walker taking it?

Walker had traditionally in the past hounded Bluebear with non-stop humping, ear nibbling, following, and forced territory takeovers; now however Bluebear is doing a lot of that same behaviour. Walker is taking it with submissiveness, often running away or lying down, and it appears to be Bluebear who is doing the majority of the chasing, humping and ear nibbling now.