Boar Bonding Advice :)

[alex may]

Hello everyone.
just in the need of some quick advice.
I recently posted on here regarding the separation of my 2 one year old boars who, sadly, have been permanently separated due to a huge clash in personalities!
As a quick fix solution, i separated their 2x4 C&C cage straight down the middle to create 2 2x2 cages for them to be apart - obviously this wasn't very roomy for them but it was all we could afford to do at the time. However, they adjusted well to their smaller super pig living areas & seemed to be more friendly with the grids between them, occasionally sleeping right beside each other, squeaking at each other and rubbing noses. I defo believe its a territorial thing as once they had their own space, they seemed fine, however during 'floor time' they still fight and as much as we try and be patient, they are defo not going to be friends.

So, we have now build a 2 story C&C cage, where both piggies have 2x3 grid space each, Benny is on the bottom floor and Mo is on the top - this is purely due to us living in an apartment that we couldnt expand out, only upwards. BUT despite the buckets more space they both have, Benny is squeaking a lot and will not settle, and i know this is down to being away from Mo, he misses him (despite them not liking each other) they can no longer see eachother... my question therefore is: would introducing a young boar to each of them be a good idea? ive read a few piggie forums that if i have an older boar, introducing a baby/young boar to him could be a success? i was advised that due to one being the older, he could take the younger under his wing, even becoming a father type figure to the younger?

Does anyone have any advise about this? as my two boys are going to be lonely, and id hate them to lead a depressed and unhappy life.

thanks

 

[Galaxy&nibbles]

I have read and been told the same thing. Though if I read correctly you have a 2x3 cage and this wouldn't be big enough for an extra piggy friend each. Not only that but if you were to get 2 babies I think you've still got the chance of them not getting on and that would be 4 single piggies. I hope someone who knows can give you proper answers.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone.
just in the need of some quick advice.
I recently posted on here regarding the separation of my 2 one year old boars who, sadly, have been permanently separated due to a huge clash in personalities!
As a quick fix solution, i separated their 2x4 C&C cage straight down the middle to create 2 2x2 cages for them to be apart - obviously this wasn't very roomy for them but it was all we could afford to do at the time. However, they adjusted well to their smaller super pig living areas & seemed to be more friendly with the grids between them, occasionally sleeping right beside each other, squeaking at each other and rubbing noses. I defo believe its a territorial thing as once they had their own space, they seemed fine, however during 'floor time' they still fight and as much as we try and be patient, they are defo not going to be friends.

So, we have now build a 2 story C&C cage, where both piggies have 2x3 grid space each, Benny is on the bottom floor and Mo is on the top - this is purely due to us living in an apartment that we couldnt expand out, only upwards. BUT despite the buckets more space they both have, Benny is squeaking a lot and will not settle, and i know this is down to being away from Mo, he misses him (despite them not liking each other) they can no longer see eachother... my question therefore is: would introducing a young boar to each of them be a good idea? ive read a few piggie forums that if i have an older boar, introducing a baby/young boar to him could be a success? i was advised that due to one being the older, he could take the younger under his wing, even becoming a father type figure to the younger?

Does anyone have any advise about this? as my two boys are going to be lonely, and id hate them to lead a depressed and unhappy life.

thanks

If you want companions, you have got two options:
- boar dating at a good rescue. For you, that is either Rainbow Rescue in Southport or Milhaven rescue in Keighley (which has bonded several member's single/fallen out boars successfully). You can find contact details here: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/
The issue with going down that way is that the space available is at the bottom end of what is recommended and that is can be a bit tricky while your boys are still in the hormonal stage (see the territory bit!).
- alternatively, you could have your boys neutered (as they have fallen out, they are definitely old enough for it now!) The crucial bit is finding a good neutering vet to minimise the risk of esepcially post op complications. On the other hand, they can each live with a sow after a full 6 weeks post op wait to make sure that they are 100% safe. I have got the surprise daughter of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post op boars living with me, just to prove that point.
The advantage is that cross gender bondings are the most stable of them all and that fall-outs are virtually unknown once initial acceptance has happened (again, bonding at one of our recommended rescues with a full pregnancy watch on top of the mandatory quarantine will make sure that both piggies like each other and that you won't be facing the next lot of nasty surprises).
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/

If you think that your boys are happy when they can interact through the bars, you could consider giving each boar a 1x2 grid hay loft on the other floor. You could angle a ramp so it ends on top of a square hidey and doesn't take up so much space. That would allow the boys to interact on either floor.