Fighting Pigs

[cavycalm]

Two of my pigs started fighting today. They are Mellow, male, 1 1/2 years old and his baby boy Baby Bandit, almost five months old. I'm assuming they're fighting because Baby Bandit is reaching puberty. They haven't hurt each other, but it scares me (they also make a huge mess running around). What should I do? Will they stop fighting once one of them has established dominance? They've always got along real well and I know they like each other (they hate being seperated even for a moment), so I would rather not put them in seperate cages. Advice?

 

[Denise]

The suggestion is that if there is no blood drawn, leave them alone to figure it out.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Yes, please do not separate unless there is bloodshed. Bandit is probably starting through puberty and testing the waters.

 

[cavycalm]

Thanks for your thoughts. There haven't been any fights today, just some teeth chattering, so maybe they're calming down. Thanks again.

 

[cavycalm]

I was wrong they are not calming down. Bandit bit Mellow's nose and its bleeding. He got him right on the nostrils and Mellow is sneezing out blood. Time to seperate my boys.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

This sucks. I really don't know much about puberty in pigs, but try just floortime together for a while. How big is your cage?

 

[cavycalm]

Their cage is 2X4, with 2 shelters (so they can avoid each other if needed). I thought floor time was a good idea too, but it was during floor time that the attack happened. Mellow is now with Skunkarella, a spayed female I got from a shelter who used to be housed with Mellow's girls and Bandit is alone in a cage next to them. I gave him a stuffed animal so he's not too lonely (I hope). I'm thinking about getting Mellow fixed. Do you think that'll help? Does anyone have experience with getting their males spayed?

 

[cavycalm]

I mean getting their males neutered. Oops.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Getting males neutered does nothing for their attitude. However, getting him neutered and adopting him a female wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[cavycalm]

Mellow has a spayed female. What if I got Bandit neutered? Do they have to be a certain age? Bandit is almost five months.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Five months is fine for a neuter. Personally, I wouldn't do under 4 months and over three years.

 

[KatieJean]

you should try giving them a bath. the scarey experience will make them bond, and also it will get rid of any scent.
they talk about it here:
https://cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Can you expand or build a loft? That may help.

 

[cavycalm]

I'm thinking about expansion. I have a small apartment though that is pretty full. I'm trying to rearrange stuff to accomodate a larger cage, but i just can't see it happening. I'll try the bath, but if it doesn't work I'm going to have to seriously consider getting one of the boys neutered so he can go with Bandit's sisters, since I only can two large cages, and right now Bansit is in a small one.