What should I do to help this situation?

[Smurf]

Hi, I have 3 brothers, always been together. I got them when they were 5mths old, they are now 11mths.
My problem is one of them is constantly showing dominant behaviour. It has been going on for 3 weeks now. Initially it was just Wiggy constantly mounting Sniffler, lots of chattering and chasing. Then Sniffler decided to return the favour! Although it was happening most of the day it seemed to be 50/50 and everyone was eating. During this time Dobby just sat in a corner till the moment was over.
For a couple of days they have been eating less.
I have put in more hides, more enrichment and bought a dog pheromone diffuser, hoping to calm things down.
Then yesterday Wiggy started on Dobby. Dobby did his usual of running off screaming to sit in a corner. Then Wiggy pounced on him and took a chunk of fur out!
Not only was this horrible to watch, but such a sudden escalation that I now don't know what to do.
Dobby's wound is healed and I have separated Wiggy into the top part of the cage. He was there 24 hrs. Just tried to reintroduce him but he immediately tried to mount Sniffler and faced off with Dobby in the corner.
I would love some advice on how to possibly help them be 3 again. If not some reassurance that Wiggy will be ok living upstairs on his own.
Thanks

 

[Sabrina-piggy]

Hi, I have 3 brothers, always been together. I got them when they were 5mths old, they are now 11mths.
My problem is one of them is constantly showing dominant behaviour. It has been going on for 3 weeks now. Initially it was just Wiggy constantly mounting Sniffler, lots of chattering and chasing. Then Sniffler decided to return the favour! Although it was happening most of the day it seemed to be 50/50 and everyone was eating. During this time Dobby just sat in a corner till the moment was over.
For a couple of days they have been eating less.
I have put in more hides, more enrichment and bought a dog pheromone diffuser, hoping to calm things down.
Then yesterday Wiggy started on Dobby. Dobby did his usual of running off screaming to sit in a corner. Then Wiggy pounced on him and took a chunk of fur out!
Not only was this horrible to watch, but such a sudden escalation that I now don't know what to do.
Dobby's wound is healed and I have separated Wiggy into the top part of the cage. He was there 24 hrs. Just tried to reintroduce him but he immediately tried to mount Sniffler and faced off with Dobby in the corner.
I would love some advice on how to possibly help them be 3 again. If not some reassurance that Wiggy will be ok living upstairs on his own.
Thanks

Hi, boars are known to be pretty aggressive to each other sometimes, how big is the cage? Boars typically need more space than cavies because they can be more dominant, maybe redoing the whole bonding process is what’s needed and if not then separating the piggies and having one live by themselves might just be the only option, as long as your piggy can see,hear, and smell the others he should be okay! If you want more advice you could always contact a vet and ask some questions!

 

[Smurf]

Hi, boars are known to be pretty aggressive to each other sometimes, how big is the cage? Boars typically need more space than cavies because they can be more dominant, maybe redoing the whole bonding process is what’s needed and if not then separating the piggies and having one live by themselves might just be the only option, as long as your piggy can see,hear, and smell the others he should be okay! If you want more advice you could always contact a vet and ask some questions!

Thanks for your reply. I have a C&C set up 2x4 and two stories high.
I haven't had to do bonding with them as they came from the pet shop having always lived together.
Would you recommend them living side by side when separated or on separate floors as I have them temporarily?

 

[Sabrina-piggy]

Thanks for your reply. I have a C&C set up 2x4 and two stories high.
I haven't had to do bonding with them as they came from the pet shop having always lived together.
Would you recommend them living side by side when separated or on separate floors as I have them temporarily?

When having a cage it is floor space and not how high up it is, three of them need minimum 2x5 but I would recommend 2x6, I would say have them live side by side sometimes even if they nip you can put a piece of glass between the two cages, if they don’t bond some guinea pigs just aren’t meant to be together and that’s fine, they could do just fine living by themselves as they would together! Just make sure each piggy has enough space and is happy and healthy! I tried to bond a trio of girls and it just didn’t work out the two sisters live pretty happily together and the third girl is very happy having her own space where she can still see hear and smell the others!

 

[Siikibam]

2x4 is enough for two sows or a boar and sow. It’s unfortunately not enough for two boars let alone 3.

The trouble with boars is they don’t work in more than pairs. Your boys are now in the midst of their teenage phase where they’ll test each others’ boundaries. I would advise you separate them permanently and don’t try to bond them again. You could potentially end up with all three living separately.

If possible, for now, have their cages next to each other so they can still interact through the bars. Then find Wiggy a friend (boar dating at a local rescue) or neuter him and get him a girlfriend after the 6 week wait.

The other two need 2x5 minimum (or 10 sq feet). Wiggy needs 2x4 minimum. If you get him a boar then it needs to be 2x5.

 

[Smurf]

Sorry, I have confused things. They did have two floors of 2x4, with free access to both levels.
At present they are split between the two floors.
All 3 seem much more relaxed now so I'm grateful to hear that Wiggy will be fine on his own.
So glad I have C&C caging so I can reconfigure the area to allow them to live side by side. With Wiggy on his own side.
Thanks for all your advice.

 

[Siikibam]

Piggies are ground roaming, so any other floors except ground floors aren’t counted towards the square footage of their living space. Good luck.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I have 3 brothers, always been together. I got them when they were 5mths old, they are now 11mths.
My problem is one of them is constantly showing dominant behaviour. It has been going on for 3 weeks now. Initially it was just Wiggy constantly mounting Sniffler, lots of chattering and chasing. Then Sniffler decided to return the favour! Although it was happening most of the day it seemed to be 50/50 and everyone was eating. During this time Dobby just sat in a corner till the moment was over.
For a couple of days they have been eating less.
I have put in more hides, more enrichment and bought a dog pheromone diffuser, hoping to calm things down.
Then yesterday Wiggy started on Dobby. Dobby did his usual of running off screaming to sit in a corner. Then Wiggy pounced on him and took a chunk of fur out!
Not only was this horrible to watch, but such a sudden escalation that I now don't know what to do.
Dobby's wound is healed and I have separated Wiggy into the top part of the cage. He was there 24 hrs. Just tried to reintroduce him but he immediately tried to mount Sniffler and faced off with Dobby in the corner.
I would love some advice on how to possibly help them be 3 again. If not some reassurance that Wiggy will be ok living upstairs on his own.
Thanks

Hi!

Baby boar trios have sadly a near total fall-out rate during the teenage months.

Please take the time to read these links here. You may hopefully find them very helpful.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

 

[EllsB3lls]

At 11 months you are in the middle of adolescence which is tough for boars, especially trios. I was lucky to have one older than the other two who went through adolescence first and became a peace maker for the other two. A 2x4 is nowhere near big enough for your boys, ours are in the equivalent of a 2x7, can you put both levels next to each other? Also at least one each of hidey, bottles, and food/hay plus a spare.