Experienced Boar Owners: Opinions Please

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Twinkle

Twinkle

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So I've had a very sad couple of days as one of my 2 boars, Ernie, sadly passed away. He had a respiratory infection a couple of months ago, appeared to fully recover with antibiotics and then the other day I came home from work to find him very sick and he died within 2 hours on our way to the vet. :(

Anyway, I realise I have a duty as a responsible pig mum to find a new friend for my bereaved piggy, Bert. He is 2 years old.

I've had him checked over by the vet who says he's in perfect health and that I should feel free to get him a new friend whenever I am ready (I never will be). I would like to wait a couple of weeks just to be completely sure he is healthy first but also don't want to leave it so long that he becomes depressed. He is eating and drinking fine but does seem a little more skittish which I assume is down to him feeling alone and unprotected.

My question is, if you were in my position, what kind of friend would you ideally seek? A grown up boar, baby boar or spayed female? I understand spayed sows are quite hard to come by so I guess my realistic options are the first 2. What would you look for if you wanted to try and minimise problems with bonding etc? I know adopting a piggie in need of a new home is the right thing to do and ideally what I'd like to do but what are the chances of it working out?

If it's relevant, I am genuinely unsure which of my piggies was the dominant one. They had a very similar temprement to each other. If I had to pick, I'd say Bert is probably dominant but it's never been clear cut.

I'd really appreciate your guidance.
 
Hi I'm sorry for the loss of your piggy but I agree with you finding a friend for Bert. I would try to find a boar with the opposite personality to him. So if he is dominant than a more timid male would likely bond easier with him and vice versa. A younger piggy is advised when bonding with an older boar as they are usually more likely to get along but then there's the hormone stage (about 6/7 months) when they could bicker and fall out. Older boars can get along and if you're getting your boar from a rescue its possible they do boar dating where Bert can choose his friend.

It can be difficult to find a spayed sow but occasionally some pop up. The only other option is neutering Bert. :)
 
Firstly, I am so sorry for your loss.

Personally, I am a big believer in finding new companion straight away -but you have to do what you feel is right for you . Do you have a rescue near you ? If so, I would contact them to see if they offer a bonding service.



Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
 
Sorry for your loss recently. It is hard to lose a much loved piggy.

Spayed sows are like gold dust so it would need to be another boar. Boar dating at a rescue would be great if there is one near you if not then as Jesse has said above maybe go for a younger piggy, but you'll still hit the hormonal stage with them at some point but by then hopefully the bond will be strong enough.
 
Ok, thanks for your help guys. There is a rescue quite near and I already know they do boar dating. How does it work? Do I leave Bert with them for a whole day or?
 
Twinkle said:
Ok, thanks for your help guys. There is a rescue quite near and I already know they do boar dating. How does it work? Do I leave Bert with them for a whole day or?
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Rescues do it differently . The rescues I have been to , I have taken my guinea(s) in the morning and picked them up later in the day . The rescue will discuss what they do with you .
 
Twinkle said:
So I've had a very sad couple of days as one of my 2 boars, Ernie, sadly passed away. He had a respiratory infection a couple of months ago, appeared to fully recover with antibiotics and then the other day I came home from work to find him very sick and he died within 2 hours on our way to the vet. :(

Anyway, I realise I have a duty as a responsible pig mum to find a new friend for my bereaved piggy, Bert. He is 2 years old.

I've had him checked over by the vet who says he's in perfect health and that I should feel free to get him a new friend whenever I am ready (I never will be). I would like to wait a couple of weeks just to be completely sure he is healthy first but also don't want to leave it so long that he becomes depressed. He is eating and drinking fine but does seem a little more skittish which I assume is down to him feeling alone and unprotected.

My question is, if you were in my position, what kind of friend would you ideally seek? A grown up boar, baby boar or spayed female? I understand spayed sows are quite hard to come by so I guess my realistic options are the first 2. What would you look for if you wanted to try and minimise problems with bonding etc? I know adopting a piggie in need of a new home is the right thing to do and ideally what I'd like to do but what are the chances of it working out?

If it's relevant, I am genuinely unsure which of my piggies was the dominant one. They had a very similar temprement to each other. If I had to pick, I'd say Bert is probably dominant but it's never been clear cut.

I'd really appreciate your guidance.
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Hi! I am very sorry for your loss.

Please contact any good rescues that offer boar dating at a rescue to find a new mate for Bert. Several in your wider area offer residential dating at the rescue to find him a character compatible friend and to make sure that they two are getting on well before they return to you. A careful bond like that is as stable as a sow bond. Boars of any age can be bonded that way; the key is mutual liking and character compatibility. You also have the added security of the rescure backing, as well as the comfort of knowing that any new piggy is fully quarantined and healthy when being put up for adoption and that it is properly sexed. Spayed sows in rescue are about as rare gold dust, as spaying is a much bigger and expensive operation than boar neutering.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator

You can contact any of the rescues you can get to. They usually have got waiting lists as boar dating is very time consuming. However, despite what your vet says, unless Bert is acutely pining (stopping to est and drink ), it is necessary for him to wait anyway to make sure that he doesn't carry anything into a place where it can be passed on to some rather frail piggies. The same goes for a baby shop piggy whose immune system is not yet fully developed and that is therefore much more likely to come down with any bug in the environment.
 
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