I Now Accept The Trio Has Absolutely Failed

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Goth Mummy

Goth Mummy

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So I have now got conclusive proof that Jack, Pumpkin and Boo can never be re-bonded into a trio. I had to separate Jack from Pumpkin and Boo some time ago, and have since then had them living side by side so that they can inter-act through the bars. I have tried several re-introductions on neutral territory, but then had separate as the teeth chattering escalated.
As I am having to bath them all regularly at the moment to deal with several skin issues, I thought I would have one last ditch attempt at bonding them, as they seemed to be so happy talking to each other through bars, and sleeping next to each other through bars etc.
So, they had a bonding bath in an antifungal shampoo, then I applied vicks to overwhelm any “boar smell” that they might have. They were huddled together in the towel and seemed to gain comfort from each other. All three seemed happy on my lap. So, I put them in a completely neutral territory (no food, just fleece in a large plastic paddling pool) and within seconds the most alarming fight broke out between all three. I dived in with a towel to separate, but unfortunately got bitten twice and now have a very sore, swollen and hot hand L
I will no longer wonder now if there is any chance of re-bonding the trio, and can move ahead with plans to find Jack a friend. Unfortunately now I cant even have Jack along side Pumpkin and Boo as they are all flying at each other through the bars, which is a shame because they were happy like that before L
Before anyone chastises me for being daft enough to attempt a boar trio, I did take them in from a private rabbit rescue where they were the only piggies, their pregnant mothers had been removed from unpleasant conditions along with some rabbits that ended up at that rescue, and if I had only taken Pumpkin and Boo, then Jack would have been left alone at the rescue. So I still think it was for the best to take him and attempt the trio.
A photo from happier times when they all got on :
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Such a shame, but you tried and that's all you can do. Sometimes people get lucky with trios of boys.

Hopefully you can get Jack a friend and you'll have two happy pairs together. Hope your hand feels better soon. Bites are really painful :( Healing vibes :)
 
thanks Sport Billy, my hand does really hurt and looks like quite a mess! Those teeth are very sharp. I'm glad however that it was me that got bitten and that none of the boys had any marks on them, or it could have been an expensive vet trip....
 
Goth Mummy said:
thanks Sport Billy, my hand does really hurt and looks like quite a mess! Those teeth are very sharp. I'm glad however that it was me that got bitten and that none of the boys had any marks on them, or it could have been an expensive vet trip....
Click to expand...

Yes, that is true. You forget how sharp they can be. Even Vimto doesn't savage me too violently :))

Always a good idea like you did to have a towel handy on introductions... and maybe gauntlets
 
You've given it your best shot. Pity it didn't work out.

Sounds like you may need to get your hand seen to.
 
What a shame! You tried your best though and that is all you can do. Will you be able to keep Jack and a friend or will you have to rehome him?
 
Poor you! Give the boys time for their tempers to cool down before letting them in sight again; it can take a day or two after a fight!

You could either consider having Jack neutered and bonded with a sow or two or bond him with another boar. I would recommend contacting Honeybunnies by Leicester/Fosse Park.
 
Aww what a shame. I wonder if Jack could be neutered and bonded to your sows? I hope your hand heals soon.
 
Sorry you had a traumatic experience. I am hoping to bond my lone single guinea pig with another younger one soon. I am dreading it.
But when I introduced the two older boars next door they had a go at each other through the bars. To stop this I resorted to putting a Berlin Wall like construction of cardboard covering the C and C wires so they couldn't see each other but still had the smells and noises. There has been no issues since I did this.
 
@AbiS Oh no, I would not part with him, the deal I made with the rescue lady was that I would find him a friend or keep him side by side if he could not stay in with Pumpkin and Boo.

@piggyfan its a nice idea in theory to neuter him and bond with my girlies, but Toffee is an extremely dominant pig who would not be bonded with Guinea Bec's other piggies which is why I had her, and I dont think she would accept Jack, I could be wrong though, I dont know how piggy dynamics work in mixed sex groups, as I have never had a mixed group before. I cant see Toffee being anything other than Top Pig, and Jack is the most dominant male pig I have ever met!

I think that I will find it very hard to find a boar for Jack to get on with, it would have to be a very laid back boar who was tolerant of Jack's advances! He also humps everything in sight! The answer might have to be to neuter him and bond him with a pair of laid back girlies. I need to seek more expert advice on this matter!

@Wiebke thank you for the recommendation, Fosse Park isnt too far from me :)

Everyone at work was very suprised that a guinea pig could do so much damage to a hand. You would be amazed the amount of people that said they didnt realise they could bite!
 
Bites can be really dangerous . I know a cat is totally different but I wasn't bitten by my cat thought nothing of it ended up in hospital having an operation to literally stop me losing it as the infection nearly penetrated my bone. Please please be careful and keep a close eye on it. Get better soon. Sorry about your boys. Xx
 
I agree with shirley, your hand sounds infected so I would get it seen to if I were you. Sorry the trio didnt work out - as I know from experience thats boy piggies for you!
 
eeeek! that does sound really scary, thanks for the warning @Shirley. I am at the doctors on Friday anyway so will show her my hand if its still sore (or before Friday if it gets worse of course)

I would be really too scared to attempt boar bonding on my own again.
 
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