Help required for my 11 week Boar

Status
Not open for further replies.
SophandRufus

SophandRufus

Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Chesterfield
I have had Rufus for a week now. He is approximately 10 weeks old.

I bought him from a garden centre/pet shop where he lived in a cage with a rabbit. He never got on with other animals and was only placed with the rabbit because of lack of room. He and the rabbit didn't get on.

I brought him home and put him in a small cage for one night then brought a new, larger cage the next day. He loved this and 'popcorned' around for ages.

In the week, I have held him 3 times. He won't come out of his home until I have gone to bed and if I sit up to watch him he shoots straight back into his house and stays there.

When I came home from work today he was squealing at me as I came in the room and ran around his cage for about 5 minutes. I then opened the cage to greet him and he ran into his house and hid. This behaviour, to me, made me think he was glad to see me, so I thought he would like to be held and have a cuddle for a little while, but no. He hid.

I currently live with my parents but I am moving out to my own place in 3 weeks. I brought Rufus to keep me company in my new home.

I'm worried that he will just stay in his house and wont come out for a cuddle.

When he does come out [occasionally], I say 'hello Rufus' in a soft gentle voice, and he runs straight back in to hide.

Why does he do this?

I have offered him food and treats and he'll poke his head out of his house and snatch it from me. I have tried so many tricks to coax him out but nothing works.

What am I doing wrong? :[

I am now considering to buy him a friend, what do you think?
 
i think defo a friend.

But i also think its early days and you both need time to get used to each other. He **** needs to know hes not going to get kicked by a big grumpy bunny every time he comes out to play!

Persevere x :(|)

ps/ mine are the same, i got them on saturday and one of the is in his igloo allllllllll the time, i take it away for an hour a night and sit next to the cage and talk to him, it all takes time x
 
My 2 new boys are like that, Out of my other 4... Donnermeat and Chips were like that for about 4 weeks and when I homed Rogan & Josh they came from a home who bred ferrits and Staffys anf theyve only just come out from there shell in the last few weeks (I homed them about march time).

I perservered with Rogan because he was petrified of everything... he now popcorns everytime I leave the house! and then stands on his hind legs as if to say ' you going to work, and leaving me mummy?'

If you perserve then you will be overcome with joy (just like I am now with Rogan) and he will be your little mate for life.
 
Should I get a boar or sow? I dont want them to fight nor do I want baby guineas! So much to think aboutttttt :[

Thanks for your advice everyone
 
if you have a rescue near you, you might be able to take rufus along to find his own friend, this is less likely to end in a falling out and the rescue will help to bond them for you.

he might come out of his shell more when he has a friend, i think the best option would be to get an older boar. good luck.
 
I'm not sure, personally i prefer two boys, but if you got a girl just make sure she is 'done' he he he

Good luck with it all, keep us updated

dont worry so much, i love all this bonding stuff at the beginning, enjoy it

ps/ i just got two, one is approx 5 weeks the other approx 5 months x
 
its very hard to find females which are done, you could wait until your boy is old enough to be done which i think is 6 months.

i have 7 girls and a boy and I'm still having issues with who's top pig! mallethead
 
I think an older boar would be perfect and agree that taking him to a rescue to choose his friend would be good. Where abouts are you?

Mine took ages to come out of their shells and even now don;t really like being picked up but they come up to me for food and sit on my feet. He just needs time, sounds like he has had a traumatic start in life.

Any pictures?
 
i agree, the bunny thing has probably affected him psycologically (spelling?)

Why do people always put bunnys with piggies??!

make sure you talk to him a LOT, just your voice will probably calm him a bit as he gets to recognise it x
 
There are quite a few rescues on here, one of them may post soon. My geography is rubbish so not sure how far anyone is from you.
 
helen105281 said:
I think an older boar would be perfect and agree that taking him to a rescue to choose his friend would be good. Where abouts are you?

Mine took ages to come out of their shells and even now don;t really like being picked up but they come up to me for food and sit on my feet. He just needs time, sounds like he has had a traumatic start in life.

Any pictures?
Click to expand...

IMG00146.jpg


apologies for the size.
 
Ive decided to go looking for a new guinea pig today for him.

Rufus' cage may be a bit small for two but will it be okay for now?
 
hmmmmm I'm not sure, if both small it may be ok for short time, but does look a wee bit small for two really :{
 
ideally for 2 you need a minimum of 4ft by 2ft but for 2 boys more is better.
 
My Dad is quite handy at improvising and making things. He has said he is going to create another cage with a tunnel interlinking the two so Rufus and Guinea Pig 2 will have their own cages but can go to each other for play time

good idea?
 
ok that will work :) good luck finding another piggy, do you know where your going to look?
 
Hi all, sorry for the late reply.

I found a local breeder yesterday. Their address is www.furrypetz.weebly.com. I 110% reccommend them!

I went to buy Rufus' new friend today and I have called him Ruffles.


I haven't had him 24 hours yet and Rufus has already totally changed for the better. He is so much more confident and inquisitive. I have managed to hold both of them and have had cuddles.

The boys are all over each other at the moment [Rufus is trying to mate with Ruffles] but they both seem content.

Thank you all for the advice.

Below are some pictures!

This is Ruffles:
IMG00152.jpg


And Rufus:
IMG00154.jpg


And my handsome boys together:
IMG00158.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top