Advice On My Boars Please !

[Tammy2389]

Hia, I've recently been seeing a lot of dominant behaviour from my bigger boy (harry) towards my smaller one (bane) but due to age 4 months hoped they'd get past it . . . But yesterday bane attacked harry and ripped into his shoulder I took him to the vets and got some antibiotics ect but the vet said I needed to neauter them so they may be able to go back together . . . But from what I've read it won't make a difference to their relationship? They've never slept on the same level and don't seem to be bonded . . . So do I separate them and get them neutered and try find them a sow each so they're not lonely once separated or hope that neutering them helps their situation ? I separated them last night as I didn't want any more injuries but I feel bad about them not having company . Any help would be much appreciated

 

[Cute_Guineapigs]

From what I understand, once blood has been split, there's no chance of a bond. Neutering makes no difference to a boar bond. It may be best to try them with a sow each (obviously got to neuter them for bonding to sows.) It's best to get a rescue for bonding for you if possible to get the most stable bond.

 

[Tammy2389]

Ok thank you , there was definitely blood so I guess I'll adopt if possible then . . . It's sad but I'm not entirely convinced they're brothers like the lady I bought them off said . . . Ones a Rex I think but the other has a soft smooth coat that's a little longer by his bum so maybe they were just thrown together just before I got them.

 

[Wiebke]

Hia, I've recently been seeing a lot of dominant behaviour from my bigger boy (harry) towards my smaller one (bane) but due to age 4 months hoped they'd get past it . . . But yesterday bane attacked harry and ripped into his shoulder I took him to the vets and got some antibiotics ect but the vet said I needed to neauter them so they may be able to go back together . . . But from what I've read it won't make a difference to their relationship? They've never slept on the same level and don't seem to be bonded . . . So do I separate them and get them neutered and try find them a sow each so they're not lonely once separated or hope that neutering them helps their situation ? I separated them last night as I didn't want any more injuries but I feel bad about them not having company . Any help would be much appreciated

It is sadly a misconception from many vets not familiar with the differences between rabbits and guinea pigs to think that two neutered boars will get on. Please separate. After a fight with full-on bloddy bites they won't go back together again.

Could you please add your location to your details so we can help you with any further choices, which are largely based on what is available to you locally. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location to add your country, state/province or Uk county. Access to a good standard piggy savvy rescue or a good vet with experience in guinea pig neutering is going to determine how many options you have. We may be able to help you with recommendations.
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Tammy2389]

It is sadly a misconception from many vets not familiar with the differences between rabbits and guinea pigs to think that two neutered boars will get on. Please separate. After a fight with full-on bloddy bites they won't go back together again.

Could you please add your location to your details so we can help you with any further choices, which are largely based on what is available to you locally. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location to add your country, state/province or Uk county. Access to a good standard piggy savvy rescue or a good vet with experience in guinea pig neutering is going to determine how many options you have. We may be able to help you with recommendations.
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

thank you and yes I'll do that now . . . Any help and advice is welcome ! I just want what right for my boys

 

[Wiebke]

thank you and yes I'll do that now . . . Any help and advice is welcome ! I just want what right for my boys

Thank you for adding your area.
You can look up our recommended vets locator for a good vet if you want to go down the neutering route; this is still crucial in minimising the danger of fall-outs. You will have to wait 6 weeks post-op before they are safe to go with a girl. One of my piggies is the daughter of an over 5 weeks post-op boar (not one of mine), but I have also heard of other cases. The advantage of this option is that cross gender bondings are the most stable, especially if you let the piggies choose each other at the rescue, so you are assured that they really like each other and that any sow is healthy and guaranteed not pregnant.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator

Your other option would be to date your boys at one of our recommended rescues that offers this service. Windwhistle Warren near Cheltenham or Hazelcroft in St. Albans are likely the two closest rescues for you to contact if you'd like to go down this route to make sure that a character match can be made. Burford doesn't offer dating at the rescue. This is a more instant and less expensive option. By going through a rescue, you have their support if things go wrong, so you won't end up with more boars that don't get on.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator

Forum members have successfully gone down either way. Please take your time to think things through and to do your research. Your boys need time to settle down as well, so there is no need to rush blindly into the next disaster. Until then, they will be OK living next to each other with some grids or bars in between, but still able to give each other enough stimulation to not feel lonely.