Failed bonding.. next step

[Deem90]

Hi all, just looking for a bit of input after a failed bonding. I have 2 boars, Al and Moo, Al's cage mate died and I got moo as a new friend. After a week in the same cage Al seemed very withdrawn and I found bite marks on his rear and tufts of missing hair so I've split their cage and have enough space for both of them to have a 4 X 2 C and C. They can see each other through the bars and Al seems to be getting back to his old self now and seems happier. I'm just wondering about going forward what the best option is. I dont have space for another cage so cant have another failed bond so I wont be trying to get another boar. I dont know of any rescues in Ireland that could do the likes of dating. I could maybe get Al neutered and get a baby sow once lockdown is over but would that be unfair to Moo if he lives seeing Al and a sow through bars? I could get Moo neutered too in case he came into contact with the sow but I'm not sure about getting a sow for him as he was aggressive with Al even though Al seemed to be willing to be submissive. I can also leave them so they can see each other through the bars and live alone but it seems unfair on Al as he adored his old cage mate and he seemed like he was happy to have a new one until Moo started to be aggressive. Any advice anyone could give would be great! I've read the bonding guide and the guide to boars and bonds in trouble and anything else I could find on here to help lol

 

[Siikibam]

Separating them to live as neighbours is fine. I think if you’re considering neutering Al then you should also neuter Moo and get them each a wifeyAl isn’t aggressive, he just hasn’t found a friend yet. Cages can be stacked. If a c&c you can use the grids, or you could get a table and have one underneath with the other on top. Have a look and see if there are any rescues in Ireland. We also have a rescue locator maybe have a look there as well.
Vet Locator

Living as neighbours is better than nothing. The issue with just bringing in a piggy is you don’t know whether they’ll get on. If there aren’t any rescues then I’d consider whether to try. But if bonding failed you’d need a backup plan.

Out of curiosity...When you introduced moo, did you just put him in with Al or did you introduce on neutral ground?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, just looking for a bit of input after a failed bonding. I have 2 boars, Al and Moo, Al's cage mate died and I got moo as a new friend. After a week in the same cage Al seemed very withdrawn and I found bite marks on his rear and tufts of missing hair so I've split their cage and have enough space for both of them to have a 4 X 2 C and C. They can see each other through the bars and Al seems to be getting back to his old self now and seems happier. I'm just wondering about going forward what the best option is. I dont have space for another cage so cant have another failed bond so I wont be trying to get another boar. I dont know of any rescues in Ireland that could do the likes of dating. I could maybe get Al neutered and get a baby sow once lockdown is over but would that be unfair to Moo if he lives seeing Al and a sow through bars? I could get Moo neutered too in case he came into contact with the sow but I'm not sure about getting a sow for him as he was aggressive with Al even though Al seemed to be willing to be submissive. I can also leave them so they can see each other through the bars and live alone but it seems unfair on Al as he adored his old cage mate and he seemed like he was happy to have a new one until Moo started to be aggressive. Any advice anyone could give would be great! I've read the bonding guide and the guide to boars and bonds in trouble and anything else I could find on here to help lol

Hi!

I am very sorry that things have not worked out for your boys.

If you want to go down the neutering route, please have both neutered. Keep in mind that a sow is a very different proposition to a boar. A fair number of my own 'husboars', who have a very happy boar life, are 'unbondable' boars. Ideally you bond a very dominant boar with a more submissive sow; preferably a sub-adult one as older sows past ideal pup bearing age are often not as accepting of a husboar - especially not a pushy one.

Take the time to carefully read the information in the links below so you can think through your various options before you make any knee jerk reactions. Please also keep in mind that neutering is considered an elective surgery and is therefore currently not performed under lockdown conditions. You also have to factor in a 6 weeks post-op safety wait before a boar is 100% safe to go with a sow.
Two pairs you can keep on top of each other as they have got company. You CAN keep a single boy next to a bonded cross gender pair, but it is frankly not fair just because you have a more difficult to bond boy.

For the time being, please keep your boys in adjoining cages so they can still get the necessary vital mutual stimulation and interaction through the bars. Any bar biting will settle down in within 2-3 days.

Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (contains a chapter on companionship with various pros and cons)
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

 

[Deem90]

Thank you both for the advice! It's good to know it that Moo might not be happy if hes next to a pair so I'll factor that it. The cage is in my kitchen so I'm not sure how my OH would feel about it getting taller lol. If I did manage to bond them both with sows after neutering could they live in a split cage or would it be better to have some space from each other? I introduced them on neutral ground and then put them into Al's old cage after it was cleaned, after a day Moo was yawning at Al and chattering his teeth at him a lot and he lunged a few times so I separated them and started googling what to do and found this forum. Based on the guides here I made them a new 5 X 3 c and c cage with 3 of everything and hides with 2 entrances. I reintroduced again on neutral ground and it looked like it was going ok so put them in the bigger cage. They seemed fine for the first few days apart from some yawning from Moo and then Moo started chasing Al everytime he left a hide. Moo is 6 months though, I didn't realise that wasnt a good age to try bonding until I read some of the advice here. He also has a lot of
rips on his ears from the pet shop so I guess he might have had some bad experiences before I got him.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you both for the advice! It's good to know it that Moo might not be happy if hes next to a pair so I'll factor that it. The cage is in my kitchen so I'm not sure how my OH would feel about it getting taller lol. If I did manage to bond them both with sows after neutering could they live in a split cage or would it be better to have some space from each other? I introduced them on neutral ground and then put them into Al's old cage after it was cleaned, after a day Moo was yawning at Al and chattering his teeth at him a lot and he lunged a few times so I separated them and started googling what to do and found this forum. Based on the guides here I made them a new 5 X 3 c and c cage with 3 of everything and hides with 2 entrances. I reintroduced again on neutral ground and it looked like it was going ok so put them in the bigger cage. They seemed fine for the first few days apart from some yawning from Moo and then Moo started chasing Al everytime he left a hide. Moo is 6 months though, I didn't realise that wasnt a good age to try bonding until I read some of the advice here. He also has a lot of
rips on his ears from the pet shop so I guess he might have had some bad experiences before I got him.

Pairs or larger groups with a husboar can live next to each other with a divider; mine all do! All my boars have to be neutered, in case of accidental meetings.

The pairs could also live on top of each other.

Here is an example of my own setup, just as an idea on how to fit things in.
I just slightly lift the Ikea linnmon 75-150 cm tables (which accommodates a 2x4 cable-tied C&C cage with my shoulder during normal cage clean.

 

[Deem90]

That looks great! Thanks for sharing. I can see a table with one on top and one under maybe working if I need more space. It will all have to wait until after lockdown anyway but it's good to get some info to start planning ahead. They both seem content enough to live side by side for now with some rumblestrutting and chatting through the bars lol.