Going back into the group

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Hi All,

I've just tried to reintroduce Cuzzy back with Sunshine and Twinkle, it didn't go well. I'm not sure if it is just me though. Twinkle wasn't bothered by Cuzzy at first and Sunshine was sniffing him to check him out. I left them in the hall in their pen while I just put some washing on, I came back to find Cuzzy in the corner and Twinkle making an odd news, very high pitched wheeking and I think some chattering although I could be wrong on the chattering as they were wheeking a lot. I've seen teeth chattering before in pet shops and this whats that!

Sunshine was walking around wheeking not being agressive at all but they did seem highly strung and Twinkle seemed a little frightened, Cuzzy was wheeking and making similar noises to Twinkle so I took Cuzzy out and put him back in his cage. Sunshine and Twinkle are back in the hutch like nothing happened.

The boys are now teenagers and I'm not sure I'm going to get my bonded pair back with Cuzzy, I really don't want another pig if Cuzzy is seperated but will do it if there is no way they will let him back.

Does anyone have any advice on this? I'm quite distressed about it and didn't think that Cuzzy wouldn't be allowed back!

Thanks,

Louise
 
This can be a problem when boars have been seperated for any length of time, even a day or two. The only suggestion I can make is to continue to let them have floor time together as often as possible and for short amounts of time (1/2 hour or so) supervised of course. Continue to build this up and if things settle down you should be able to house them together again. If they dont, then you will have to keep them seperate I'm afraid :-\
If possible, can you house them in the meantime so they can see/smell eachother? boar bondings are very tricky but dont give up just yet!
 
Hi Jade,

It was horrible to see because I'd never seen the boys behave that way, they are normally my placid monkeys! I can take Cuzzy's cage out and sit with them and see how they react. I can also bring the boys in to see Cuzzy as well as floor time. I'll try for the next week or so and if I get no joy then I'll have to think of getting another hutch and getting a friend for Cuzzy from a rescue centre one which he can choose maybe a female who has been 'done' would suit him better. Although they are hard to find.

Argh it's all decisions, decisions! I'll keep you all posted. I have calmed down a bit now, I'm having a cuppa!

Take care,

Louise
 
When they have been seperated, you need to start from scratch at bonding them again. Thats why you shouldnt do it unless there are absolutely no other options. Have a look at the barmy4boars website, and start at the beginning....will probably be a looong process, but it will be worth it,
Good luck O0
 
Hi louise, poor you! I know how you feel stressing out, I'm sorry i have no idea about boars or rebonding, wish i could offer some advice but good luck with it i hope they accept him back fingers crossed :)
Love Emma x
 
Hi Emma,

I've just been out with Cuzzy and Twinkle went mad again...fiesty boy! I'll keep trying but I'm probably going to have to go down the other guinea pig road. I just can't see this working now. Twinkle was shaking with rage, and he looks so placid as well! Little devil!

Louise
:)
 
Lol the little onkey! U could try the bathing thing? Not quite sure what you do but i think u just bath them and take everyones scent away, not sure if it'd work 98) xx
 
It wont happen in one day, its a long process, a little everyday, dont expect miracles or be too hasty...

If you buy another guinea, and they fall out, you are in an even worse position. Have some patience :)
 
Thats one thing I don't have a lot of PP! :D You are right. I'm going to get a bigger indoor cage for Cuzzy and try a bit each day, I'll give it a while. Would you suggest introducing Sunshine with Cuzzy and then Twinkle with Cuzzy, do it seperately? Sunshine really isn't the problem it's Twinke.

I really don't want another pig for the reasons you suggested I'd just be going around in circles. I'll get another cage and keep Cuzzy in that, he does seem happy with us though he popcorns when we talk to him which is all the time seeing as my daughters are forever playing with him, he plays barbie with them, hes in the cage and they play games but least he is getting attention! :D

Thanks again!

Louise
:)
 
To be honest, I am not the best person to ask about boars, as I havent much experience bonding adults as personally if he was my piggy, cuzzy would get the chop and let him choose a girlfriend, but i know some people dont like that!

I think its a case maybe, concentrating on twinkle and cuzzy first, as like you say, sunshine isnt the problem..

Some people put vicks on their bums and noses so they smell the same, do the bath thing, rub straw from one onto the other etc etc etc there are lots of things on the barmy4 boars website, but like I say, it could be a long process with tiny babysteps everyday, as everytime they have a bad experience, they are less likely to be bonded in the end! :)

Trios of boars that spend their whole lives together are few and far between as far as I have seen, so you may end up being faced with a choice, and like I say, I would go with the neuter and a girlfriend rather than with another boar, as the same thing could happen again...

If you do however, go for another boar, if you go to a rescue, you can usually let him have a sniff of a few different boars and let him choose a friend, ditto with a girlfriend if he gets neutered :)

Just have some patience and have a good think of all the options/consequences before you decide anything O0
 
UPDATE:

We've made a little progress. I was doing my ironing in the kitchen and could see the hutch from there so I placed Cuzzy in his cage and put him in the hutch with the boys. Cuzzy did some teeth chattering and then nothing Twinkle went about his business and Sunshine sat by Cuzzy. They had their tea together and seemed to get on. I know we've a long way to go but this was a huge improvement from this morning.

Tomorrow I'll be putting Twinkle and Cuzzy together, I really think Cuzzy is the problem other than the teeth chattering there has been no stand off or trying to look bigger etc so hopefully I can get them to be friendly again! I'm in for the long haul and will give it a month if need be, hopefully it won't come to that but I'll let the boys guide me.

Will update with news tomorrow night! :)

Thanks everyone for your help and support!

Louise
x
 
Thats really really positive, thats brilliant! O0

Take it slowly though, as you dont want to go back to the beginning ;) ;D
 
Well it's not day three and things have gone backwards. I introduced Cuzzy to Sunshine and they had an actual fight! It wasn't Sunshine who started it, it was Cuzzy. He done similar with Twinkle and I just think its not worth the hassle as I don't want to upset the bond between Sunshine and Twinkle.

I know some of you will say stick and it but it is going from bad to worse and with every time they fight they are going further apart and will never be buds.

So it's a bigger cage for Cuzzy and possibly a spayed female if I have the fortune of finding one. I know they are hard to find but I think this is my only option.

Louise
 
Aw louise i feel so sorry for you :( could you not get anonther boar for cuzzy? I know you said don't say it but i'd say try again another couple of times it's still really early days? Love Emma x
 
I wouldnt go for another boar, def not....

Could you not consider getting him neutered and a girlfriend? Spaying sows is a LOT harder and more risky than neutering a boar!
 
Hi Emma and PP,

Its just when it happens they really go for it and its horrid. Cuzzy is a :D It may be that he becomes a house pig and gets all the attention he loves that! There are so many options to consider so I'm just chatting allowed, forgive my insane ramblings! ;D

PP, I really don't want to get him neutered thats why I'd prefer a Sow thats already been done for whatever reason. I'm asking a lot I know. Maybe I shouldn't dismiss neutering him so easily, I'll have to read up on it and make a decision then. :)

Louise
:)
 
Personally i dont think you should leave him on his own unless there is absolutely no other option....but its something you have to think about :) O0
 
Well really it comes down to getting him neautered, getting a spayed sow which would be difficult or having him next to the girls or boys with a divider, that way he can still see/hear them? x
 
I have to be honest, I always cringe when people suggest the divider thing, I understand why people do it, but I just think its not the same as a piggy having a friend :(
 
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