Bereaved Old Boar And Helping Him.

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Tewdric

Tewdric

Teenage Guinea Pig
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The pig in my picture is Moriarty. He will be five at the end of March. I had to have his half brother (Mycroft) put down on Monday. His brother was very much the dominant pig in the pair, but they got on very well and were always together.

Moriarty is obviously missing his friend. He's eating ok, but is withdrawn and I haven't had a squeak out of him all week, which is unusual as he is usually fairly vocal.

Due to allergy issues (my husband) the boys have/had to live outside in a sheltered location, in an insulated 6ft by 2ft hutch. I have a spare hutch which is slightly smaller (about 5 by 2) but isn't as well insulated.

So, knowing pigs need company I now have a new 7 week old boar in quarantine. He hasn't got a name yet - I'm waiting for his personality to come through and in a way for myself to get over the death of Mycroft.

When and where should I do the introductions? Neither pig is confident/happy indoors. I've never had to find a friend for a loan boar before? Would the run be the best place? I'm not sure the new boy had ever been outside before.

Ultimately if the match doesn't work out with the set up I have at home the two boys will be able to live separately but still talk to each other; but I would like to attempt to give Morry a friend.

I know Moriarty has the same problem that meant his brother (tooth related) had to be put down, but atm he is healthy (the vet said he was in exceptional condition for his age - apart from the lurking tooth problem) and needs a friend. When the worst does happen then the new chap can be neutered and I intend to keep females from then on.

Sorry for the ramble, I've got a lot going on internally and am trying to process it all.
 
Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your loss! We have got a Rainbow Bridge section where you are most welcome to post a tribute to Mycroft and share your grief with understanding people.

Unless you can put the run where it is not on cold ground, I would recommend using the kitchen floor and a couple of old beach towels (if necessary in the run) for intros - that is a wipeable area and should therefore be safe in respect to your husband; otherwise, the bathroom floor or even the bathtub with a towel for grip are usually good bonding places.
We have got tips on how to best conduct intros and a list of dominance behaviours at the top of our bonding section, which you may find helpful. Additionally this boar bonding thread from a rescue lady who conducts full residential boar dating for boars of all ages should be illuminating, as it contains bonding videos and descriptions on when she separates or not. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boar-dating-service-wales.59233/

By the way, there are several good guinea pig rescues in the Cheltenham/Bristol area that offer dating for single piggies. You can find them in our rescue locator on the top bar.

PS: I love your name scheme. How about Dr. Watson for the little side kick?
 
Thanks for the reply. The bathtub with towel sounds like a good idea. Will check out the links for bonding.

I'll admit I hadn't thought of looking for a friend for Morry in a rescue. My boys came from the animal care unit at the agricultural college I work in, (I work in a student support role). They haven't got any boys of any age there at present though.

My husband gets to name the new pig. He loves pigs almost as much as me even with his allergies.
 
We have got a recommended good standard rescues locator on the top bar, as well as a piggy savvy locator. ;)

Many people only stumble over the fact that there are quite a few piggy rescues in this country only through this forum or when they are looking a for new friend for a bereaved or fallen-out piggy.
 
Well the new boy is now going by the name of 'Telford' after Thomas Telford the engineer/architect. He is intended to be our 'bridge pig' so my hubby decided he should be named after a famous bridge builder.

Anyway, first introductions in the bath tub did not go well. Telford chased and humped poor Moriarty round and round and wouldn't back down or be put in his place in spite of Morry's best efforts at humping back/sitting on him. I separated them once they were inches apart, sitting back on the haunches and with teeth bared.

However, with the glorious weather we've had this weekend I thought we ought to try to at least get them to talk to each other. I split the 5ft by 5ft outdoor run down the middle, and for the warmest parts of the last two days the boys have been getting better acquainted through the wire. No tooth chattering this time. Plenty to rumbling and squeaking - but as Moriarty can retreat to his tub away from the youngster he seems much more relaxed. He's even started talking to me again. :) Young Telford is obviously enjoying the interaction as well.

Not an ideal situation, but at least they'll both have company for as long as Morry's health holds out, and then we have plans for some permanent company for young Telford.

DSCF0626.webp
 
at least they have company. I know its not ideal but the best solution at the moment
 
Gorgeous Piggies, lovely names and a nice looking run you have there!
I think that it is a good compromise. At least they can talk to each other. I hope you have a few more months with Moriarty before you have to say good bye to him as well.
 
This story really touched me. I recall many times in my childhood where people who had 2 guinea pigs and lost one just kept the remaining one on it's own until it too passed away.
I always shed a tear when I hear of someone losing a guinea pig - maybe this is because I recently lost my 1st boar. I am so sorry to hear of your loss - but the silver lining to this dark cloud is that you are doing something in the interest of Moriarty's welfare.
It's a pity that Telford and Moriarty didn't get on - but that's guinea pigs for you .
 
Goth Mummy said:
Gorgeous Piggies, lovely names and a nice looking run you have there!
I think that it is a good compromise. At least they can talk to each other. I hope you have a few more months with Moriarty before you have to say good bye to him as well.
Click to expand...

I also really hope that Moriarty has chance to enjoy basking in the garden when summer arrives. He's always enjoyed being out and about.

Thanks for all the support. It's been an odd few weeks.
 
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