Today, I went to get some new piggies for one of my boars, who recently lost his cage mates and was beginning to sink into a bit of a depression. I asked the rescue near me for the male herd who had been there the longest and was most in need of a home.
I was delighted that her most needy boars were not a pair, but a triplet! I brought them home, and introduced my lone boar to them in a neutral location. It went very well, with only slight bickering.
However, once they were in their pen, one of the new boars began acting up. He is very aggressive to the others, and seems a very crabby fellow. He instigates tussles and gets argumentative at the slightest interactions.
After closer inspection, it seems as though he has been bullying one of his herd already, as both have some decent scabbing along their backs and rears. I currently have him in a large cage by himself, and he honestly seems more happy and much less on edge.
I want to keep the little dude, but I'm worried for his health and happiness. I know guinea pigs are herd critters, but this fellow seems to do so much better alone. He is in the same room as the other pigs, and can see/hear them.
Is he going to be all right on his own? Will the solitude shorten his lifespan and make him less happy?
I was delighted that her most needy boars were not a pair, but a triplet! I brought them home, and introduced my lone boar to them in a neutral location. It went very well, with only slight bickering.
However, once they were in their pen, one of the new boars began acting up. He is very aggressive to the others, and seems a very crabby fellow. He instigates tussles and gets argumentative at the slightest interactions.
After closer inspection, it seems as though he has been bullying one of his herd already, as both have some decent scabbing along their backs and rears. I currently have him in a large cage by himself, and he honestly seems more happy and much less on edge.
I want to keep the little dude, but I'm worried for his health and happiness. I know guinea pigs are herd critters, but this fellow seems to do so much better alone. He is in the same room as the other pigs, and can see/hear them.
Is he going to be all right on his own? Will the solitude shorten his lifespan and make him less happy?