Finding our bereaved boar a new pal

[Free Ranger]

I feel like I have to put Martin first and may have to find Lennie a more suitable home with other piggies that want to play with him.

You might have a point here. One of the forum members took in an old boar that had been on his own his whole life. Such a kind act and the hope was that he could pair with her own patient old boar. Turned out he was a merciless humper to the point where she worried for her frail older chap's health! We speculated that he had not learned any piggy social skills so didn't know when to stop. Has Len been alone for long?

It sounds like Martin is clearly affected by his new neighbour and I think you might have to work from there. Maybe some lap time with food so he can see that he's definitely away from Len to eat? At least Len has had an interesting holiday. Would he go back to where you got him, do you think, or will you look to a rescue? I'm sorry it didn't work out.

 

[VeeAngel]

It took 1-2 weeks for my house to calm when I brought home a new rescue piggie. New guy is blind, was rescued from a hoarding situation and had been bullied and food deprived. He was facing life as a single at just 6mos and I couldn’t stand the thought of that. I brought him home to live next to my two boys (who had fallen out and living as grumpy neighbors). I put Jack in the room with my guys but not next to the big cage. I actually covered all the bars in his cage and one side to my spunky Sammy’s cage (who was trying very hard to get over to the new guy). It was pretty stressful and I really wondered if it would calm or I had made a huge mistake. After the first week, new buddy realized he was safe and was exploring his enclosure, Sammy was calming down after week one I moved one side of Jack’s cage next to Sammy and Deano. Then after another about three weeks moved everything to the current setup (with options to interact and also get away from each other). It’s mostly gone well...but took a while for things to settle and everyone to feel safe. I may explore a shared enclosure for Sammy and Jack at a later time, but I’m not rushing since everyone seems to get their entertainment and interaction without the worry of bullying. Time and distance might help your boys, but it might also be better to look for a better pairing if it’s too stressful. (It took Jack about 3 days to come from under his hidey box during the day, and he was in his own separated space...but uncomfortable as he adjusted to a new setup).

 

[Gingerspider]

Aww, that's good to hear. We gave them both a separate run around and cuddles then moved Len back upstairs with more of a gap...I added an old herby chew toy that the boys never took too and he seems distracted by that. Fingers crossed so far tonight Martin seems more relaxed and Len not as excitable. We will just have to see how we get on in the next few days and see if we can put them near eachother again.
Don't want to give Len back, he's such a sweet cuddly boy and he's had a traumatic time with his first buddy going missing

 

[Gingerspider]

I feel your pain - i had a bit of this with my belle who was left on her own in december - trying to find a friend for her during a lockdown was very daunting. Eventually, the 5th try was a hit so it is worth persevering but so stressful.

Have you got a rescue that can do residential bonding? Or at least supervise the bonding for you?

Good luck!

We did ask at the nearest one an hour away but they have a HUGE waiting list. I think Martin seems pretty happy not being bothered by anyone. He's always been a grump who basically just tolerated Kurt. It's nice to have seen him come out of his shell a bit and bond with us. His nature has totally changed in the last two weeks. He's become very sweet!
His time will come

 

[Gingerspider]

Pleased to say the bar chewing wasn't as insesant and Martin seems to have chilled out a bit more. He's sleeping a LOT and doesn't have the enthusiasm for the things he usually likes. Still eating, drinking and wondering about during playtime as normal but just looks a bit sad. I'm thinking of moving the cages back together again tomorrow to see how they get on. Martin is due his check up at the vets on Friday. Len is hiding and has dry poops so going to give him some cucumber tonight at separate lap times...I think this may now be a full time job