How Many Sows For One Boar Ideally?

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LydiaMinx

LydiaMinx

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I'm making baby steps towad getting my boars wives and I'm wondering how many sows is ideal per boar, I've seen a lone female up for adoption at my local RSPCA and 2 pairs so I'm wondering which to enquire about.

Also does the age matter with sows as it does with boars? As in, would a younger sow be easier to bond or would an adult sow cope better?

Thank you!
 
I personally really dont think it matters so long as they are all compatible. Also age doesn't matter.

I have one boar with 3 sows, my boar is coming up to 6 years, one sow is 5 years, another 3 and another nearly 2. xx
 
I think I'm going to have to go with a max of 2 per boar as my cages aren't big enough for more then that (and it be fair on them anyway). Would a single sow be ok with a boar? As one of my boars, Boris, is a real grump and generally prefers his own company - I feel like him living with two would just annoy him!
 
One is fine! Xx

And as for grumpy, i bet you will see a huge difference in him with a wife pig(s) x
 
I've had any combo from 1-12 wives and they have all worked! The main thing is that the piggies get on, so dating is very important (a boar always needs to be accepted by the sows), especially with pairs and small groups.

If you are considering a pair of sows you need to make sure that the girls are best friends, otherwise you can end up with an outsider situation.

Just a sowfe-husboar pair can often be very loving and dedicated, provided that she accepts him initially - hence the dating!

Age is actually much less relevant than character compatibility - I have and have had age differences of over 3 years either way without any problems.

A boar living with a sow or sows is a very happy boy indeed, even though most of his time is spent being told off... ;)
 
Wiebke said:
I've had any combo from 1-12 wives and they have all worked! The main thing is that the piggies get on, so dating is very important (a boar always needs to be accepted by the sows), especially with pairs and small groups.

If you are considering a pair of sows you need to make sure that the girls are best friends, otherwise you can end up with an outsider situation.

Just a sowfe-husboar pair can often be very loving and dedicated, provided that she accepts him initially - hence the dating!

Age is actually much less relevant than character compatibility - I have and have had age differences of over 3 years either way without any problems.

A boar living with a sow or sows is a very happy boy indeed, even though most of his time is spent being told off... ;)
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I'm going to ask if my local RSPCA do dating, as they have 2 pairs of females (all sisters) and the mother who is by herself, so hopefully at least one of these pairs/girls is suitable for my boys! I'm excited to see how differently they act with some girlfriends around!
 
For one, your boys will lose their language skills (and may even lose the on-switch for their brain for a day or two) - everything will come out as a rumble! :)

But they will be very happy boys indeed! Generally, young boars and sows are usually pretty easy to bond, as you have the natural instincts working for you. But it can get very lively initially and during the first few seasons - and VERY smelly!

I'm just going through it with my new boy Bedo.
 
Lol, My Tim does that 24 hours a day Wiebke, Sophie only has to move slightly and he rumbles.

I agree character compatability is the most important thing. I have a boar and sow pair, a boar and 4 girls and a boar and 2 girls (was 3), then a group of 5 girls.
 
helen105281 said:
Lol, My Tim does that 24 hours a day Wiebke, Sophie only has to move slightly and he rumbles.

I agree character compatability is the most important thing. I have a boar and sow pair, a boar and 4 girls and a boar and 2 girls (was 3), then a group of 5 girls.
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I'll keep browsing the local rescues then and keep as many options open for dating them as possible :) I'm just so anxious about having them neutered, even thinking about it makes me sweat!
 
Wiebke said:
For one, your boys will lose their language skills (and may even lose the on-switch for their brain for a day or two) - everything will come out as a rumble! :)

But they will be very happy boys indeed! Generally, young boars and sows are usually pretty easy to bond, as you have the natural instincts working for you. But it can get very lively initially and during the first few seasons - and VERY smelly!

I'm just going through it with my new boy Bedo.
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I'm not looking forward to the smell!
 
Just tell me... I've been doing multiple bonding over the last few days. I've stopped my hay fever meds during that time, as a bunged up nose is very much welcome at the moment! Still one more session to go tomorrow, but then we can hopefully let it all settle down. Bedo has got a new nickname - he's my little Stinker!

Make sure that you do the bonding where you can open the windows wide!
 
Here's where you could go through what I had... the anxiety of bonding and watching intently to make sure they get on ok. A couple of minutes of rumbling and then silence, they got on immediately with no further issues... kind of felt like an anti-climax after all that lol
 
I know what you mean I took on rupert as a pig who had "territorial" issues and "had to live alone". So I got him neutered then found him a wife on the internet who was agressive to other girls. Imagine my surprise whe I took him round to date and neither of them did anything. A bit of sniffing then just cuddled up together. No rumbling nothing. They even ate veggies lady and tramp style.

Since then there has been a little rumbling but nothing major I dont think rupert knows what to do lol. He just gets excited rumbles then dances around the cage popcorning no where near his wife lol
 
Edward loves his two wifeypigs, although during the bonding it was a little tense, as he was quite fearful. He doesn't speak any language other than rumblerumblerumble, especially when the girls move. Despite the girls being grumpy with him at times, he doesn't' seem to mind. He gets a good telling off from the girls, and then popcorns away so he must be happy :D
To be honest, I didn't really notice too much of a stink when bonding him with the girls, although he was very excited!
 
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