Help - boar introductions taking place...

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Domwe30

Domwe30

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I have just began the integration process for a very young boar and my 2 1/2 year old boar. I've followed all the advice on the threads here to make sure I'm giving them the best possible chance and have done it succesfully before.

However, it's only been 4 or 5 hours (and so I apologise that I'm probably jumping the gun) but arrrgghhhhhhh I cant stand all the worrying hearing their squeaking/running around haha! It's not been going badly - no raising up no hackles or anything and no nips. But - there is A LOT of butt sniffing, chasing, squeaking and mounting (it's been non-stop) and I'm struggling to just sit here and hear them, they are so loud!. Funnily enough, the younger boar seems to be doing a lot of mounting and I thought the older one would quite naturally dominate.

So I guess my question is - firstly what should I do overnight if they've not calmed down? As I cant watch for any signs of overly aggressive behaviour if I'm asleep

And secondly, can I take them both out for a cuddle or would that be a bad move if they're in the middle of, erm, sorting things out?! rolleyes

Thanks for any advice, as always
 
They will crash out themselves eventually and things will hopefully be quieter for most of the night. Make sure that they have two hides (preferably with two exits each). But as there is no bad bullying from your older boar, I do not think that you need to worry. The youngster will hopefully run out of steam at some point after a day or two!

I would leave cuddling for after they have settled down more; let them concentrate on their relationship for now!
 
Thanks for your help - I know I'm being a bit impatient and a worrying Mum, just really want them to be happy! :)

They have 2 x hidey homes with 2 x exits and 2 of everything else. Plus I have one small extra tunnel that only the baby can get into for extra protection.

And I will try to resist snuggles for now! Might need to be put in a straightjacket ;)

Fingers toes and everything crossed
 
Hi Domwe30

Best advice i could give would be to check, double check and triple check the sex of your youngest lol, up until a week ago i had a happy boar pairing (in fact i kept pinching myself at how well the bonding process went) - turns out i didn't pinch hard enough because now i have a boar and a very pregnant sow lmao.

When i was looking for advice on my boar introductions, i was given some good advice in that mounting is perfectly normal behaviour and it's best to leave them to it. I also thoroughly cleaned their cage and re-arranged things around so it was effectively new to both piggies. In addition to this i made sure i had two of everything. Before i built my C&C i made sure both my boys had a much leg stretching time as possible - so i got the run out at every available opportunity.

From everything you've said so far - it does sound like normal typical boar behaviour - but as i said - i'm no expert. There are some very good topics on bonding boars and typical boar behaviour, and the people on this forum offer up some very good advice.

I wish you luck with the bonding - i'm sure you won't need it though as things appear to be quite normal. I know it's hard to listen to the squeeks and squeals - but it will die down in a few days :)

Might be an idea though to do weekly weight checks and observe from a distance, just to make sure their relationship is developing as it should do and no one is getting bullied :)

Good luck!
 
I fully understand what you're going through. I wanted to set up CCTV so I could keep my eye on them from work! lol :))
They've got to work out who's boss so it may take a while and a lot of bum sniffing but stick with it as long as they're not hurting each other.
Best of luck. x
 
I know how you feel! I'm trying to introduce a new adult boar to my two baby boy boars. The adult one is really placid, but one of the babies keeps chasing him! But that's just because the babies are scared. I'm just letting them spend a few hours a day together, and then seperating them when I'm not watching, because I'm too scared they'll fight. I also have lots of places for them to get away from each other and for the babies to hide.
Good luck with your boars. I'm sure everything will be fine :)
 
CiaraPatricia said:
I know how you feel! I'm trying to introduce a new adult boar to my two baby boy boars. The adult one is really placid, but one of the babies keeps chasing him! But that's just because the babies are scared. I'm just letting them spend a few hours a day together, and then seperating them when I'm not watching, because I'm too scared they'll fight. I also have lots of places for them to get away from each other and for the babies to hide.
Good luck with your boars. I'm sure everything will be fine :)
Click to expand...

Please do not separate your boars all the time - they have to restart right back in square one every single time and cannot develop their relationship any further. You will have to trust them and let them get on with their own lives if you want them to have a life together!
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562
 
Thanks everyone for putting a Mums mind at ease! My two boys have made it through the night (I only came downstairs twice through the night, I promise!)

So I'm now nearly 24 hours in and there's been no nipping or raising of hackles at all. Still LOADS of sniffing, chasing, muttering at each other, some rumblestrutting and grumbling but all in all it seems to be going ok. I just love the constant chuntering mooching noise of the little one heehee

It has been hard not to intervene at times but I agree best to let them keep going and only step in if you see some serious fighting.

Both eating together etc aswell - not seen any snuggling yet though, why oh why wont they snuggle, I have my camera at the ready! drool
 
I am glad that everything is going well!

Please do not be disappointed if they don't snuggle - some piggies are not snugglers at all and with others it can take some time until they are relaxed enough in their relationship to allow that. It doesn't mean that they will be unhappy or less committed!
 
Wiebke said:
Please do not separate your boars all the time - they have to restart right back in square one every single time and cannot develop their relationship any further. You will have to trust them and let them get on with their own lives if you want them to have a life together!
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562
Click to expand...

I was just really scared they'd fight. And since the two young ones are so small they could be seriously hurt. So I was seperating them at night when I couldn't watch, but tonight they're staying together for the first time. I wasn't seperating them completely, since they were still in runs next to each other so it doesn't seem like they went back to square one luckily. They seem to be making friends now so I'm leaving them together for the night but with two houses for them to sleep in. :) I don't think they're ready to cuddle up in the same house yet!

Anyway, they're getting on great so far. I'm so glad.
 
Just thought I'd post a little update as it's now been a whole week since the first introductions took place and I am REALLY pleased to say everything is going swimmingly x)

I'd introduced 2 boars before but Ceebs (my older boar) is a little more fiesty so I was a bit worried about how he would take to the little one. So, I'd like to say a massive MASSIVE thank you to Wiekbe - I followed your advice on the forum pretty much to the letter.

They just seem so happy and it makes me so happy and the world is a wonderful place hee hee.

Will try to post a picture of them...X
 
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