fighting pigs !

Question
We have 2 male pigs about 10 weeks old. 1 has always been more dominant but last week they fought badly and we separated them. We have tried to put them back together but the more dominant pig chatters his teeth and his fur stands on end before he starts to chase him. It is making the other more placid pig start this too. Will we ever be able to have them together again, as although they are both eating and drinking, they do not make as many noises and seem less active & happy.

Answer
Hello!

I really don't know what you can do, but here's some info I found on guinea pigs fighting:


There can be only one sexually mature male in a guinea pig herd, and sexual behavior from young males is not tolerated. As the young males attain sexual maturity, dominance battles can result between the lead male and any challengers, or even amongst the younger males. The males threaten each other by hissing, rattling their teeth and stiffening their bodies. They may try to circle each other, attempting to get access to the other males' back. They will then bite at each other, trying to do so on the chest or the back of the neck. This fighting will continue until the weaker male submits, and is driven from the herd. In the wild, the young males will often pick out a female and start their own family in a new location.

In the cage, there is no escape for the loosers in a dominance fight, and they must be removed or they will die from starvation and exhaustion, as the alpha male drives them from food, water and sleeping spots. To prevent dominance battles from injuring your guinea pigs, it is important to separate the males from the herd when they attain sexually maturity, between four and seven weeks of age.

As pets, two or more males can live together, provided they are given sufficient room and are never in contact with a female. It is the sexual behavior of males that induces dominance fighting, and the introduction of a female to a pair of males can permanently sever their friendly relations. Some males actually have to be neutered to live together because they engage in sexual behavior without the presence of a female. Neutering does not lower aggressiveness, but it does eliminate sexual drive. However, even a neutered male will instinctually engage in sexual behavior if put in the company of a female. In short, if you have males together, neutered or not, don't try to introduce a female to them.

If you decide to put them together, always keep a small towel handy to separate them if they fight (to avoid getting bit).

Hope this helps you out.

~~Arielle