Fighting How far is too far? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**delilaharcade** · #1 10-20-09, 10:55 am

I have finally introduced my new guinea pig to my other two males. I introduced them on neutral territory and I have read all about what behavior is normal dominance behavior. I have also read about when to separate them. I know that I need to let them figure everything out on their own. All three are about the same age and are all adolescents. I realize that it could take a while for them to figure out who is dominant because they are so young. I am prepared to deal with minor scuffles.

I know that I should separate them when their is bloodshed, but how much? They have been together for a few days so far and they have not had a bad fight. I have never had to grab a towel to separate. It's always been just warning nips, chasing and mounting. However, two of my pigs have little nips on their noses. They are not bad gashes or anything and look similar to a paper cut on a human. Are these little nips okay?

The little cuts are only noticeable if I pick on of my guys up and closely look at his nose, so it's hard to know when to separate them during the act. They don't cause enough harm to make it obvious that I have to separate them and they don't have bad fights. It's more like they "nip" real quick and then walk away from each other. It usually happens as they are nosing off.

So...are these tiny nips normal or should they be separated before they have a chance to nip?

**Africa** · #2 10-20-09, 11:38 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by delilaharcade

It's more like they "nip" real quick and then walk away from each other. It usually happens as they are nosing off.

So...are these tiny nips normal or should they be separated before they have a chance to nip?

I have just gone through this, so from what you describe it sounds ok. I would not separate them. My boars fought quite a bit, more than yours from the sounds of things, its was stressful to watch, and even took a couple days for them to totally sort things out (meaning the dominant one would still pick on the submissive boy every now and again, humping him and the usual stuff).

I would say as long as they dont get into those 'ball of fur' fights that are super aggressive then they are ok.

saphira1354 · #3 10-20-09, 01:28 pm

my two boars were doing the same but l put a divider in the cage and they don't seem to mind being seperated. they do have floor time together which they don't do any of that behaviour. they are about 8 weeks old should l keep doing this until their hormones calm down l can't always be in the same room with them to make sure they get along. Thank you!

**JD In Van** · #4 10-20-09, 02:03 pm

At 8 weeks old their hormones are nothing. I would leave them together unless they're actually drawing blood/leaving scabs on eachother.

I have two boys who are well into puberty together, they nip, they bicker, they squeel but they're teenagers and honestly it's much less comfortable for me watching it then it is for them. They cry when I seperate them for more then a few minutes.

**Africa** · #5 10-20-09, 02:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphira1354

my two boars were doing the same but l put a divider in the cage and they don't seem to mind being seperated. they do have floor time together which they don't do any of that behaviour.

Definitely dont separate (no divider). If you search this topic you will see its not a good idea to keep on separating them then putting them back together in floor time. Every time you do this they have to re-establish dominance and go through the saga again. You also dont have to watch them all day, as long as you can see that they are not going to tear each others heads off

**lissie** · #6 10-20-09, 03:06 pm

See this thread on Guinea Lynx. It has helpful information with pictures and videos.
http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46468

saphira1354, your cage is too small when you put a divider in. Each pig should have 2x3 space. If they don't fight until bloodshed, don't separate them. If your son's room is too small for a proper sized cage, please consider moving them to other room.

**Africa** · #7 10-20-09, 03:12 pm

Oh my word, I wish I had seen this before I did my re-introduction! Its so good! It makes sense not to have hidey's because it creates something to fight over! and especially if you put one's in there that they know from their cage

Thanks Lissie!

**lissie** · #8 10-20-09, 03:16 pm

My 3 pigs have been introduced for a while and I still don't use closed hideys in my cage. It's always good to have hideys with multiple entrances/exits so no one gets cornered. My pigs love their foot stool hidey, towel tent. Bent grid tunnels are also good.

**Ly&Pigs** · #9 10-20-09, 03:58 pm

A few nips is nothing. A large gash on the other hand would mean you'd need to separate.

"Thank you, JD In Van, for this useful post," says:
lissie (10-20-09)

"Thank you, Africa, for this useful post," says:
lissie (10-20-09)

"Thank you, lissie, for this useful post," says:
Africa (10-20-09)