Grids: Chewing - Boar Dominance?

[MissFormosa]

We have two very dominant pigs (Alton and Byron), which at one point were separated because they were never ever going to get along after Byron hit puberty, even after trying all the tactics and some bloodshed and resulting vet visits. It just seems to be their dominant personalities. At that time, they would chew on the cage sides constantly and rumble at each other through the grids (this is when we had the divided 2x4). We would put towels up on the grids, cardboard, coroplast, etc. so they couldn't see each other. So we fixed that.

Fast forward through time and they still are separated (and have their own herds and spaces now) and all has been peaceful for a while. We took away the chewed up grids and used the ones that weren't so chewed up for the new spaces. Well, I don't know what has started it up again, but Byron and Alton are back to chewing. We think Winston is on the verge of puberty and might be giving off some smells. And not really on the grids that are closest to where the cages face each other. They just chew randomly for the heck of it, even though they have more than enough hay and things to chew on and lots of floor time. And here's the worst of it! The submissive pigs see the bosses doing it, so now they do it too! It's not in any one particular spot either. They just stroll up to the side and start gnawing the grid. I have six chewing pigs! And here's the part that really concerns me...I see the vinyl coating being torn off by the chewing. Sometimes I find it on the fleece, sometimes on the floor, never in the poops...but I am still concerned they might ingest it and the toxicity of that.

So I did a search and just finished reading about a dozen threads on chewing. I had a few questions regarding what I read on these threads:

1) Bitter apple as a solution - good or bad?

2) Vinegar - good or bad? I saw some people said it worked and some said the pigs didn't care.

3) Someone mentioned coroplast up the sides and one of the mods replied that it wasn't good to do that because it can reduce air circulation. Someone then suggested a mesh or screen. Did this work? I couldn't understand what sort of screen they meant, but wouldn't the pigs eat that too?

4) We were thinking of adding a few inches of plexiglass above where the coroplast ends and the pigs can get to the grids. But it wouldn't go all the way to the top. Okay? Or would this cut too much circulation as well?

5) Since they are ripping off the vinyl coating, does anyone know where I can order uncoated grids...like chrome ones or something? I looked at a few places today and all I could find were the standard coated black, white, and red.

Any other suggestions?

We are already in the process of planning another expansion to two 2x5's with lofts, since in a few months the two babies will hit puberty. We have the design down and went to IKEA to measure for tables yesterday, but first I need to address the grid problem in case I need to purchase new and/or other additional materials for the project.

[MissFormosa]

I just read that lemon juice might help also. Is that good? I'd rather use something natural. Anyone have any suggestions?

[JD In Van]

I made my own pen out of acrylic that's curved into an oval that's about 4 feet long and about 2.5 feet wide and high enough that they can't climb out of it (I think it's about 18" tall) but big and open enough that there's still good ventalation and air flow (as it's got an open top.) You might want to look at something like that?

We went that route cause we were concerned about the drafts (as I have a large screen door in that room that's often open) but as an added bonus piggy can't chew it either.

[MapleOwl18]

If I were you I would just zip tie coroplast between the two cages. If its just like 2 grid area and all the other sides are open it should be ok.

I did this and it seemed to work in my case but I think your guys might be past the freindly neighbor state. They only chew on the bars to get the other pigs attention, and the bars can take that.

Silly Male Piggies - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Or if you want to really get around the problem, make two levels of piggy cages. You could also try clipping fleece to the grids and see if that helps. It might just result in the fleece being pulled off. I like the plexiglass idea just because it'd be funny to watch the piggies be like why can't I chew on this. I'd say as long as its 2 grids or under you probably don't have to worry about loss of air circulation.

[MissFormosa]

Originally Posted by MapleOwl18

I like the plexiglass idea just because it'd be funny to watch the piggies be like why can't I chew on this. I'd say as long as its 2 grids or under you probably don't have to worry about loss of air circulation.

I just imagined piggy lips pushed up on the glass! Funny!