Advice on bonding lonely boar

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Pigpal

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We've had two well bonded males (not neutered) for two years (Pancake and Jim), not sibs but paired by the RSPCA at a young age, and recently Jim passed away. Pancake was instantly very subdued and we were worried about him being alone, so we have 'fostered to adopt' another lone male (6 months old ish, also not neutered) through the RSPCA. The RSPCA told us to try for a few weeks and if it doesn't work we can return him no problem. We have had him for about a week. We are trying to bond them but it doesn't seem to be going very well at all. We have their cages next to each other, and while they do seem to interact a little through the mesh, whenever we have tried to introduce them in a neutral play area they fight after a few minutes. Both display dominance behaviours constantly (rumble strutting, rearing, teeth chattering) but our boy Pancake seems the most dominant at the moment. The new male has lost 150g weight since he arrived and seems very stressed. A local shelter has suggested it might not be the best match and to try with a baby male instead. Any thoughts/advice? Should we return the new boy to the RSPCA and start again with a younger male (there are lots of babies that need rehoming at the local shelter). Many thanks in advance for any advice!
 
I think it sounds like they might not be a good match. Have you read our Bonding guide, there are some good videos of bonding which might help you decide. Bonding is usually a one off, it either works or it doesn’t.
Our recommended rescue list does have rescues that offer boar bonding, especially bereaved boars. Don’t be put off if you see no single boars on their websites as they generally do not offer single guinea pigs for adoption, only to go with an owners existing guinea pigs, bereaved piggies etc. This way Pancake gets to choose who he likes which adds to a far secure bond. It can work with baby boars, but once that 4-14 month teenage stage sets in, fall outs by young upstarts challenging the older boar can happen sometimes

Good luck, hope you find Pancake a friend🤞
 
Bill & Ted said:
I think it sounds like they might not be a good match. Have you read our Bonding guide, there are some good videos of bonding which might help you decide. Bonding is usually a one off, it either works or it doesn’t.
Our recommended rescue list does have rescues that offer boar bonding, especially bereaved boars. Don’t be put off if you see no single boars on their websites as they generally do not offer single guinea pigs for adoption, only to go with an owners existing guinea pigs, bereaved piggies etc. This way Pancake gets to choose who he likes which adds to a far secure bond. It can work with baby boars, but once that 4-14 month teenage stage sets in, fall outs by young upstarts challenging the older boar can happen sometimes

Good luck, hope you find Pancake a friend🤞
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Thank you, this is really helpful and I think we agree.. Such a shame. We've followed the bonding guides and am not sure what we could have done differently, so they are probably just not a good match. I'll check out the other rescues - thank you!
 
Pigpal said:
Thank you, this is really helpful and I think we agree.. Such a shame. We've followed the bonding guides and am not sure what we could have done differently, so they are probably just not a good match. I'll check out the other rescues - thank you!
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Sending emails is often the best way to get through as they are very busy. Do mention you have a bereaved boar looking for a new friend, they will help you find a match. be prepared to travel a little way if you can, piggies travel very well, far better than we imagine
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m sorry for your loss.

Sadly I would also agree that it does not sound to be a good match unfortunately.

He has also lost a large amount of weight and needs to be syringe fed to replace his lost hay intake, and seen by a vet.

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
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Thank you, we are so sad about Jim, so appreciate that very much. I think the new boy is ok...he's eating better now and I think the weight loss was really from the first few days when it must have been very stressful for him. I'll weigh him again tonight but I suspect some of it is back on. He is also exercising more as he was in a much smaller cage at the shelter, and here has had outside time and lots of run around. So I think he is ok...despite the poor social setting for him just now. I hope they can find him new home with pigs he likes!
 
Would anyone recommend neutering to smoothen the bonding process between boars, or so that boars can live with females? Would that be an option? Our vet has always been reluctant to neuter due to the risk of anaesthetic, but I would be interested to know what folks here think. Many thanks!
 
Pigpal said:
Would anyone recommend neutering to smoothen the bonding process between boars, or so that boars can live with females? Would that be an option? Our vet has always been reluctant to neuter due to the risk of anaesthetic, but I would be interested to know what folks here think. Many thanks!
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Neutering does not change behaviour so it will not do anything to aid the boar bonding process. It won’t make them get on or like each other. Neutering only prevents pregnancy.
So they can be neutered and after the six week post surgery wait they could then have a sow each.
It is very important that you find a vet who is confident and had experience in neutering though.

Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
 
Neutering won’t alter boars behaviour, but it can mean they can be bonded with females which can have higher chances of success, but there will be a 6 week wait before bonding can take place.

I was also recently left with a bereaved boar but thankfully he was a submissive piggy so bonding was not too much of a challenge. As you have only tried one boy I would be inclined to try another few if they are available, a baby or one a bit older.
 
rp1993 said:
Neutering won’t alter boars behaviour, but it can mean they can be bonded with females which can have higher chances of success, but there will be a 6 week wait before bonding can take place.

I was also recently left with a bereaved boar but thankfully he was a submissive piggy so bonding was not too much of a challenge. As you have only tried one boy I would be inclined to try another few if they are available, a baby or one a bit older.
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Pancake was totally chill and subordinate to Jim (our lost boy) so it’s such a shame he’s finding it hard with our foster boy…
 
So sorry about your loss of Jim.
When my Titus lost his brother I opted to have him neutered and he then bonded very easily and happily with a pair of sows.
I currently have a neutered boar who is also matched with a sow.

Hope all goes well for you.
 
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