3rd boar

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stripypig

stripypig

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I have a boar pair, one is 2 and one is 1. I am trying to introduce a new baby, the older boar was with another boar previously who died young of a kidney problem.

The younger boar has been introduced to the baby, and after the initially sniffing/rumbling was fine. I then went to add the older one, but now the original pair are squabbling. No teeth, but a lot of scuffling and chunnering.

I have taken baby out while they get on with it, they are both full size, should I just leave them to get on with it?
 
hmmm,introducing 3 is tricky,the best thing imo to do now so the original two get along would be to bath them both and introduce on neutral grounds,x
vickyt is better at explaining this x
 
I would recommend to leave the baby out of the equation; as your previous pair have started squabbling amongst themselves, you are risking a permanent breakup and may end up with three single boars in the worst case.

Better find another friend for baby, if you have the space. Three boars can work, but more often it doesn't, and you should respect that. Two boars is generally considered to be a more stable pairing.

If you really want to make it work, it would be better to have baby live next door for a while where the other two can see him and interact with him through the mesh/bars and get used to his presence. You may be able to gauge a possible reaction from that.

Before introducing them, I would give them all a bath with the same shampoo, so nobody smells "other" and let them get to know each other where there is lots of space but nothing to get possessive over and somewhere that is nobody's territory.

Be aware that once you have commited to putting them together, you have to stick with it (unless there is blood), because every time you separate the boys, they have to start back in square one with sorting out the dominance and relationship.

Three boars together will need lots of space and everything in threes - huts, bowls etc.

I would strongly urge you to have a good think about how you want to proceed for the sake of your piggies.
 
Sorry to hear they've fallen out, but often adding a third boar to an existing pair can leave you with 3 single pigs - a pair of boars, even if happy, will not always relish the introduction of a third. Some people have managed it but it very much depends on the temperaments of the pigs. I've had a happy trio of boars here a couple of times, but I've also ended up with 3 (injured!) single boars when trying it, so I tend to stick to pairs now.

Let the original two calm down, then bath them together in the same stuff and re-introduce them on neutral ground - e.g a run on a fresh piece of grass. The 3rd boar needs to be kept out of smelling distance for now. His best bet of finding a friend is to find him a partner of his own.

Sophie
x
 
Things seem to have calmed down again now and everything seems harmonious. Is going too dark now for photos, but the 3 are sat together (well boar 2 is lying down half asleep) with the baby in the middle.

I did have them on neutral ground (I know I didn't mention it) and rubbed everyone in the same towel then rubbed them all again so they all smell the same.

I will keep an eye on them but they have been like that for a couple of hours now.

There was never any biting, so I guess I am lucky.
 
Just a word of caution - I had three boars living together for about three months (an existing pair and then an additional baby) and all was well and they seemed to sort out a pecking order. But then, as baby began to realise he had hormones, all hell broke loose and he needed to be removed. Fortunately for me, the other two have a great bond so there was never a problem with them but I had to go and find a new friend for the third pig.

Good luck with your trio!
 
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