Herd of Boars?

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Just asking the question:

Has anybody successfully had a large number of adult boars living together (i.e. more than 3)? Would it be possible with an abundance of space and no sows in sight, or are they just not compatible in anything greater than a trio?

I like boars and they're often the ones left at rescues, so I was just wondering if there was a possibility of making a herd of them work (not that I'd be getting any as I already have sows with a neutered boar).
 
Teardragon had 4 plus she was watching 2 and managed to get them all living together. She technically had 6 living together at one point I believe. Emma correct me if I'm wrong :)!
 
I have heard from somebody on a German forum who has a herd of about twenty boars in a HUGE safe outdoors run. (Don't know what they are doing right now!) There was quite a bit of oohing and aahing as you can imagine!

On the German/Swiss forums it is recommended to provide at least 1 sq metre ground floor space per boar (about 2x4 C&C grids per boar!), and preferably more, so each can have their "territory" and space to disperse and avoid fights and confrontations that way.
 
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Friend of mine keeps approx 15 boars all living happily together in a huge outside shed with an equally huge run attached. In the winter he moves the whole group indoors into a stable. They all seem to get along fine and as far as I'm aware they've never had a fight. He also manages to add boars, which he rescues from animal markets, and again dosen't have any problems.
I think the very large area is the key to his success.

Teresa x
 
Teresa and I rescued some boars who were living, about 20 of them, in a 6' run rolleyes and seemed to be just thrown in there, all ages, most of them with scars / wounds from fighting. Obviously not ideal, but that is the most i've seen together.

I know some people have boar pens, there must be a knack to it... the most I've had living together (apart from babies) is 3

I've often wished you could house boars in groups - wish someone could tell them that!

Sophie
x
 
From what I have been able to gather, LOTS of space is the key!
 
Wow! This is great. So it does seem to be possible then, so long as they have masses of space.

Thanks for all of your replies.
 
You probably will still end up with some single boars...

But if it were possible to create larger boar herds provided you have the space, it would be great!
 
One of the girls who runs a shelter over here has a herd of 11,they were mostly free range rescue pigs so were fairly used to the company of many males.
I'm thinking of trying for a quad with my boys;)
i will have 3 trio's soon but would only ever think of adding more to the calmest group of pigs;)
 
One of the girls who runs a shelter over here has a herd of 11,they were mostly free range rescue pigs so were fairly used to the company of many males.
I'm thinking of trying for a quad with my boys;)
i will have 3 trio's soon but would only ever think of adding more to the calmest group of pigs;)

You mean you are not just going to remove the cages and let them all roam free in the room? lol :(|)

I don;t think i could be brave enough to do boar intros!
 
You mean you are not just going to remove the cages and let them all roam free in the room? lol :(|)

I don;t think i could be brave enough to do boar intros!

haha no way,very careful planning is being done;)
they can be stressful but i find boys so easy now i actually think i would find sows harder than boarsmallethead
 
Have to say, I also wouldn't rehome a pair of boars to live in a group with other boars...

It's hard enough to keep a pair bonded somtimes, and if they were, I would want them to remain as a pair rather than tough it out in a group :)

It's a nice idea though

Sophie
x
 
Might work best with a gang of 'old men' when their hormones have shrivelled and given up. lol. I wish it would work. xx
 
My friend says that he's found you are best with either a pair or a group of 10 or more in a huge space. He's tried groups of 4, 5 etc and he cant get that to work.

Teresa x
 
My friend says that he's found you are best with either a pair or a group of 10 or more in a huge space. He's tried groups of 4, 5 etc and he cant get that to work.

Teresa x

thanks,
i may rethink my idea of a group of four;),id love to attempt a huge groups but i have 4 pigs who are very delicate that are in pairs and i wouldnt take the risk of them falling out from there friends.
I may just stick with my trios and pairs i think;)
 
a herd of boars would be lovely. presently all our boys have fallen out, so we have 4 boys each in side by side cages - harry and arthur, and monty and junior.
4 boys, 4 cages, too much work on cage cleaning day!
damn teenage hormones! i wish they would all just get on.
Becca
 
Wow 3! I didn't even think THAT was possible!

I currently have 2 pairs of boars. I put a 2.5 year old in with a baby and they are like an old married gay couple! The other 2 are babies, and I think will fall out at some point as there is always alot of dominant noises coming out of their hutch!
 
I have 14 un-neutered boars living together and have never had a fight ,a bit of rumbling and chasing but no injuries .I think space is the secret plus they have all been together since babies.
 
When i had piggies in the 90's i had 4 unrelated boars living together in a small hutch, definitely NOT the recommended size by todays standards. All were added at different times & i'd no problems. I personally think wether they be boars or sows if you get the personality mix/space right they can live harmoniously together & I've had almost as much trouble with some sows as i have with boars :)
 
I know its not a huge group - but I have four boars living happily together, they do have a seven by two c&c though and are out and about in their room everyday. I must say... they were all youngsters when I got them although not litter mates (in my ignorance I did not re-home - but I would never do that now I know better)!
 
I wish it was easy to get a big group of boys as I currently have 3 sets of boys living separately. A young trio, an older trio and an older pair of boys. I did know someone on another forum who had 17 boys living together but they were in a massive C&C with a second floor as well I think.
 
I wish it was easy to get a big group of boys as I currently have 3 sets of boys living separately. A young trio, an older trio and an older pair of boys. I did know someone on another forum who had 17 boys living together but they were in a massive C&C with a second floor as well I think.

Do you have the space to make a huge cage and try putting them together on neutral territory?
 
My piggies are outdoors and the boys live in big hutches - the trios in 6x3 ft hutches and the duo in a hutch just over 4ft x 2. The hutches are all also double storey. So each group has lots of individual space but i would love to have them in a free range shed the way my girls are. I have tried Rodge and Podge with one other piggy before but Podge, who is a very calm piggy, just was not having Whiskey even side by side with him. They are all happy as they are and it's just not worth the risk of breaking up bonds. However, I still like the idea in theory.
 
I have found this thread REALLY interesting. I currently have 7 neutered boars living seperately and hadn't even considered trying to put them together so thanks to everyone :)p x
 
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