Advice pairing sow with boar

[Jacqueline77]

Hi We recently had our 8/9 month old boar, Bob, neutered with the plan to pair him up with a sow. He is now just over 2 weeks post op and recovering very well. We will wait 6 weeks before introducing him to a female friend but are just starting to plan for this. Should we keep them in separate cages side to side for a while before their ‘first meeting’ to get used to each other? Would It be okay to get a younger sow around 8-12 weeks old or would it be better to try and pair him with a sow around the same age? Could a significant size difference be a problem if the sow was younger?
Any advice or tips appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

Age is not as relevant as mutual liking and character compatibility. If you can, please consider rescue dating so you come home only with a new lady if acceptance has happened so the biggest hurdle is out of the way and you have the rescue to fall back on if things go haywire at any stage. It may be more effort but on the other hand, you can neatly avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary and have the nerve-wracking bit of the bonding happening under expert supervision.
Your closest good welfare standard rescue that offers dating is Ayr Guinea Pig Rescue. It may be worth contacting them via Faceook now.
Rescues, Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs (also contains a chapter on rescue dating)
Rescue Locator
@Julie M (who is connected with the rescue)


As to intros:
Piggies under 4 months (sub-teenagers) are desperate for company and should be introduced very quickly. You can give them a few hours in a divided run, if necessary. Over 4 months (teenagers or adults), it is better to give them time to settle next to each other.
Please follow our our comprehensive step-by-step bonding guide, which takes you through all stages of the complex bonding process (including the run-up) and also has got chapters with videos on mixed pairs and baby bonding. You will find it very helpful: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Further information in mixed gender pairings and sow behaviour:
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

I hope that this helps you?

 

[Julie M]

Hi, if you pop the rescue a message on Facebook or email we will get back to you. There is a pre adoption form on the website to complete. We offer piggie dating so the piggies can choose their own friends.

 

[Jacqueline77]

Hi!

Age is not as relevant as mutual liking and character compatibility. If you can, please consider rescue dating so you come home only with a new lady if acceptance has happened so the biggest hurdle is out of the way and you have the rescue to fall back on if things go haywire at any stage. It may be more effort but on the other hand, you can neatly avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary and have the nerve-wracking bit of the bonding happening under expert supervision.
Your closest good welfare standard rescue that offers dating is Ayr Guinea Pig Rescue. It may be worth contacting them via Faceook now.
Rescues, Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs (also contains a chapter on rescue dating)
Rescue Locator
@Julie M (who is connected with the rescue)


As to intros:
Piggies under 4 months (sub-teenagers) are desperate for company and should be introduced very quickly. You can give them a few hours in a divided run, if necessary. Over 4 months (teenagers or adults), it is better to give them time to settle next to each other.
Please follow our our comprehensive step-by-step bonding guide, which takes you through all stages of the complex bonding process (including the run-up) and also has got chapters with videos on mixed pairs and baby bonding. You will find it very helpful: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Further information in mixed gender pairings and sow behaviour:
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

I hope that this helps you?

Thanks very much for your reply, info really helpful!