Bonding Advice Needed

[happybunny]

Hi,

We have been trying to bond 2 females and 1 male together and are not convinced it is working.

We have been told that the females are 2 and 3 years old and have been together for nearly 2 years. The males is about 7 months old and was neutered 2 months ago.

They were introduced on neutral territory a few weeks ago and the girls immediately took the upper hand. They have been playing out in the same area ever since by the male is nearly always on his own and moves if one of the girls want his spot. We are not convinced he is very happy in this situation so hutch time is on his own. There have not been any violent attacks and the male is not lossing weight so it is not affecting his eating.

Any ideas on how we can improve the situation? Should we seperate?

Any help apprecaited.

P.s. out time is about 12 hours a day.

 

[caviaporcellus]

I am guessing that your boar is a lot smaller than the girls at the moment. My oldest sow used to boss my boar around and mount him a lot when he first arrived as he was a lot smaller than her (we thought that she was a boar at the time). Now that he is bigger he does not get so much grief from her, although, yesterday, when she was in season, it was hard to tell who was the boar with them both chasing each other around and trying to mount each other! I would guess that your boar feels intimidated by the two gorgeous ladies (wouldn't any teenager?) and he will get more confident as he gets bigger.

 

[Wiebke]

It is not easy to introduce a third piggy to a well bonded pair. Hopefully, things should get better in the measure that your boar grows.

I would not separate; your boy is happier in company than on his own. Only if you were considering putting him with just one girl of his own.

 

[happybunny]

Thank you for your replies.

Yes Rascal is very small compare to the girls (Maisey & Shandy).

I was hoping for some reassurance that over time things would improve. I guess we will persist and see how things go.

 

[Romily]

I would wait until he is bigger, as the others have said the ladies will not be viewing him as the lead piggy because he is young and tiny.