[Gpdd] BEHAVIOR: boars fighting

Brenda Colijn bcolijn at wideopenwest.com
Wed Oct 20 15:10:56 EDT 2004


Alge,

How old are Chester and Charlie?  I've found with my gpigs that when 
they reach adulthood they often try to "renegotiate" dominance.  I've 
been lucky in that these negotiations haven't resulted in real fights.  
Usually a few snaps and it's over, with no harm done. 

I have had real fights when first introducing two boars, and once when I 
accidentally let my male and female pair out while the other two males 
were already out.  Checkers, although he was neutered, considered Olga 
to be his, and he lit into Airedale, who hadn't even noticed Olga yet.  
I got a deep bite when I got in the middle.  Airedale was rather 
bewildered by the whole affair.

Anyway, when two boars that I'm introducing have had fights, I've gone 
very slowly and let them live side by side in different cages for a 
while.  Then I've let them out for floor time together and kept a towel 
handy to throw over a troublemaker if necessary.  It seems to be 
important that they have enough space to get away from each other.  When 
I put them together it's in a clean cage, and I give them both a bath to 
cut down on the scent.  Some people have said that they put Vicks on the 
gpigs' noses for the same effect.  For Max and Shadow, I have two food 
bowls and two water bottles in the cage to make sure nobody can hog them 
(no pun intended).  So far these approaches have worked for me (several 
times).  Some people have talked about having hiding spaces so the 
pestered one can have a safe haven.

I've never had to deal with your situation, so I don't know if any of 
these ideas will work.  But I hope the not-so-mini-guineas will be able 
to sort things out.  Otherwise you may have to send in Mr. Cooders.

Brenda (in Ohio)
Max and Shadow





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