boar for stroppy girls

[muggins]

hi there from up here in aberdeen ,its been a while since ive been in contact ,everything seems to have settled down nicely with my daughters 3 girl piggies(spot,patch both about 14 months old ,unrelated,and coco 11 months ,patch's daughter).while they all get on fine ,the herd has a look of trio of stroppy /highly strung females nipping at each other ,sqwabbling over food , patch of hay to sleep in etc... there is never any big fights ,no nicks on ears or around mouth.they tollerate handling,none of us have been bitten, but ? would a neutered boar complete this herd or am i just interfereing? i have the room ,the hutch is L shaped 9' x2', two sleeping quaters at either end..i have been reading as much of the other notices /threads rehoming,introductions,problem piggies ,what to do leave be or trya boy in the mix ? i know there is no guarantees in any introduction , but i was thinking an unwanted boar from somewhere would find a new home with our girls.thanks for all info on this site .over to you what do you think ?

 

[Niki]

hi there from up here in aberdeen ,its been a while since ive been in contact ,everything seems to have settled down nicely with my daughters 3 girl piggies(spot,patch both about 14 months old ,unrelated,and coco 11 months ,patch's daughter).while they all get on fine ,the herd has a look of trio of stroppy /highly strung females nipping at each other ,sqwabbling over food , patch of hay to sleep in etc... there is never any big fights ,no nicks on ears or around mouth.they tollerate handling,none of us have been bitten, but ? would a neutered boar complete this herd or am i just interfereing? i have the room ,the hutch is L shaped 9' x2', two sleeping quaters at either end..i have been reading as much of the other notices /threads rehoming,introductions,problem piggies ,what to do leave be or trya boy in the mix ? i know there is no guarantees in any introduction , but i was thinking an unwanted boar from somewhere would find a new home with our girls.thanks for all info on this site .over to you what do you think ?

The behaviour you describe is perfectly normal especially if one is in season.
A dominant boar may sort out sow squabbles if they accept him but there are no guarantees.
If you want to adopt a boar my only suggestion is to take your girls to a rescue who has a neutered boar for rehoming, see how they get on & take it from there.

 

[claremw92]

hey,

your best bet is to get a REALLY laidback and placid bore... that dont really give a toss...

cleo was so nasty to my other girls she had to be seperated...
so i got her oliver... oliver is the most chilled out pig you'll ever meet...

and they get on fine... becuase she throws a hissy fit.... and he just moves out the way... lol

as for the girlies behavious... sounds totally normal...

good luck
x

p.s.
i took cleo in to a rescue and left her in a cage with oliver for a little while.... just to make sure they got on...

 

[Guinea Slave]

Hi

I had exactly this situation a few years ago, three squabbling girls, nothing terrible but just moody and squabbling all the time.

Someone advised getting a laid back boar so I went to a rescue and we checked they got on fine.

He has been wonderful, he rarely gets involved but on the occasions there is a big bust up (usually when they are in season) he just runs through the middle and tells them off...its hilarious to watch. They NEVER nip at him or moan at him and in fact grovel I'd say!

When I have adopted some youngsters he also makes sure that the elder girls don't bully them too much and I have seen him tell an elder girl off when they get too much....

The funniest moment when, early on, the top sow tried to boss him around, he gently went over to her, got his nose under her belly and rolled her over! You should have seen her face! Never again has she tried to boss him about and in the main they are a happy herd now..I'd say try it for sure! For the entertainment value if nothing else! |)

 

[muggins]

stroppy girl piggies

thanks for the replies, kind of confirmed what i was thinking anyway but good to get another oppinion /reassurance. i just thought the herd looked incomplete ? does that make sense?anyway i wont be trying anything till after the holidays just in case it goes pete tong ! only snag is finding a neutered boar up here (have looked on rescue sites ? not much up here)

 

[Coffeebucks]

I've noticed that most pigs that appear on the SSPCA rescue site are neutered. I knew it was their policy for dogs & cats, as my adopted kitten was neutered by them before he came to live with us, but it must be their policy for small furries too perhaps?

Anyway, as you're a fellow Scot I thought I'd mention the SSPCA to you Their website is here.