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Post by tuladahl on May 6, 2011 6:30:06 GMT
I have recently become a new owner of two piggies. They are males and believe are adolescents, but could even be younger. In the last week of having them, I am noticing that one of them is becoming quite aggresive towards the other one. I have researched online about this, and know that it is normal for one of the piggies to dominate. However, I am wondering when do I intervine? They have a little shelter thing that they USED to cuddle in together, but now the brown one doesn't even let the other one in, at ALL!! Plus whenever the white one so much as moves, or tries to eat, or drink water, he makes what I would describe as a kinda rumbling noise, and he kinda shakes/vibrates, while he does it. He has also been mounting, and now even biting the white one. I felt so bad for the him , so I seperated them with a baking 'cooling' rack!!! because I read that this may help, but that they should still be able to see one another. ANY advice would be appreciated!!!! I don't want to intrerfere too much with their natural behaviour, but I am concerned for the other's safety. signed... HELP!!!!!
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Post by Kayleigh on May 6, 2011 7:01:47 GMT
It all sounds like natural dominance issues. It should calm down after a few days. If one boar is claiming the hidey then i would suggest putting another in so that he cant claim both. What size cage are your boars living in?
Do not seperate unless blood is drawn. Mounting, rumble strutting is all natural.
If you seperate the boars in any way, reintroducing starts the dominance behaviours again and they have to start from square one. Its best to leave them too it unless a full fight starts. But from the sounds of things your white boar is submissive so once your brown boar has asserted his dominance he will settle down.
Kayleigh
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Post by mblight on May 6, 2011 10:13:12 GMT
Congrats on your two boys! I fully agree with Keyleigh, it's best to leave them to their thing unless there's fur flying... good luck!
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Post by tuladahl on May 8, 2011 4:43:59 GMT
Okay, I will try this. I have had them seperated with the rack, but in the same cage. The cage is about 2 feet by 1 1/2 feet. Right now they are only babies, well at least I think they are!! The white one pretty much fits in my hand. The brown is a little bigger and heavier. I don't know if this would have anything to do with it, but for about a week the white one (peanut) has been on an antibiotic drop for its right eye. It was squinting and kinda goopy. But the drop wasn't really successful so the vet has prescribed Tetracycline. And now both of them have to have it because the brown one's (Pistachio) eye started close and get the goopy stuff. I will have to put the ointment on twice a day on both eyes, for both of them for two weeks! Today I let them out for a little play time, and Pistachio was very aggressive towards Peanut. He just kept mounting him, and was making 'humping' motions any chance he could get! And I could also smell urine. Now I'm worried that maybe Peanut is a girl?? I have looked at their 'parts' and I am pretty sure they look the same... but again, this is all new to me. Up until now I have never even touched or been close to a cavy!! So forgive my ignorance. Anyways thanks for the advice I will remove the rack now, and let you know how it goes. I must admit I am a little nervous!!! I hope nothing happens to Peanut!! signed, worry wart!!!
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Post by Kayleigh on May 8, 2011 9:28:18 GMT
Its perfectly normal for boars to mount and scent mark. They will rub their bottoms along the ground also.
Do you have a picture of their setup?
Also if you are unsure of their sex, you can post a pigture of each and im sure i can let you know their sex.
Its best to let them astablish dominance, it can look quite mean but aslong as no blood is drawn its best to leave them to it.
Kayleigh
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Post by tuladahl on May 9, 2011 5:41:07 GMT
I have removed the rack, and yes they are doing what you said they would do. But so far no blood.... so I have let them be!! I have included pics of them. The white one is Peanut and the brown one is Pistachio. I have another post on this forum about my pigs regarding their eyes, and you have given me great advice for that as well! thanks, Tami
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Post by tuladahl on May 9, 2011 5:44:57 GMT
I tried attaching more than one photo but it won't work!! so heres one at a time!
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Post by tuladahl on May 9, 2011 5:46:47 GMT
the wihite one is Peanut and the brown one is Pistachio.
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Post by tuladahl on May 9, 2011 5:50:26 GMT
Peanut and Pistachio
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Post by Kayleigh on May 9, 2011 17:03:20 GMT
Your piggies are lovely, But you do know you have posted pigtures of their bottoms aswell right?
What size cage is that the boars are living in? The cage is either very large or the hideys are small, i cant quite work it out hehe.
Kayleigh
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Post by tuladahl on May 10, 2011 6:22:43 GMT
Oh well yes... I was hoping you could tell me the sex?? I hope the pics are clear enough!! God I hope you don't thinknim some kind of weirdo!!! Just in mybearlier posts I was wondering if they were BOTH in fact males, and you asked to have pics of them!!! It wasn't easy either!!! I got bitten a couple of times!! They seem to b doing alright without being seperated, but now the the white one is actually trying to dominate the brown!!! Ahhhhh when will it end;) They haven't been as friendly with me either, I've been getting bitten alot lately. When this happens what do I do?? I've just been telling them"no" but obviously it doesn't work!!! It's not like I'm picking them up all the time or anything maybe a couple times a day initially it's for their eye ointment and then a little cuddle, but they must not be liking any of it!! Their cage is 2.5 feet by 1.5 feet. And yes their hidy's are small!!! I've already been looking into the 'cubes' and that cloroplast stuff... Ok thanks Kayliegh Tami
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Post by Kayleigh on May 10, 2011 6:40:45 GMT
Ahhh i was just double checking, I was just a tad confused when i opened the image. Dont worry you arent weird at all.
I would say that Pistachio is definately a boar and im sure Peanut is too, The pigture of Peanut isnt a great angle.
As they are bigger pigs if you apply pressure above their genitals their penis should pop out. If your still unsure try posting a clearer front view of him.
Some guinea pigs do like to bite and its not acceptable to most owners. I had a nibbly pig who drew blood a couple of times. This was sorted simply by telling her no and tapping her on the nose with a little force. If that doesnt work sometimes blowing them on the nose and saying no works.
Guinea pigs will often bite by accident as we sometimes hand feed them, they mistake our fingers for food.
It will take a few attempts to get them to stop biting or nibbling. A few of my pigs will nibble gently on my hand but this is to get the salt from my skin and they dont bite. its a nibble and lick they do. Very cute.
How are the boys getting on?
Kayleigh
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