Is a reconciliation possible?

Nic bee

Nic bee

Junior Guinea Pig
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Good morning experts, I've got 2 boars that lived together (accepted each other but never snuggled) for about 14 months. One is 5 years old "tinker" who I've had since a baby, and this was his second cage mate. My second piggie- "Spud"I'm not sure how old he is, I was told also 5 but he's acts like a toddler so I'm not sure. Anyhow about 4 months ago Tinker started being really aggressive towards Spud, there were clumps of fur, chasing and lots of teeth chartering so I separated them. They have since lived side by side and are both happy (they have 4*2 grid each). Tinker even chews the bars of the cage if Spud isn't in his cage and they sniff at each other through the bars... However there's also a lot of teeth chattering and rumbling going on.
Anyhow my question is, as it's warming up I'm looking forward to getting them on grass but it'll be awkward now I can't put them together, has anyone had a similar situation and been able to put them together at grass time, or back together in their cage? Thanks so much
 
Hi, have you tried reintroducing them on nutral territory? Just so they can't smell their 'own territory' and fight for it.
 
With boars you can’t separate and reintroduce at intervals eg for run time on grass then put back in separate cages, so the only option would be to try a proper introduction on neutral territory to see whether the time apart has changed their attitude to living together. If blood wasn’t drawn first time round it may be ok but only they can decide.
with boars you need time and space to do the introduction properly and see it through to the end -success or failure, but it may be worth a try to see if they will accept each other again. Just be ready to safely intercept if they need separating. Oven glove at the ready!
How big was their joint space before? Was it really big enough for both to have space? Is there anything that caused friction eg a house or a hide or anything similar? If so, before you try another introduction perhaps look at changing the original set up to maximise space and places to hide for each where no one can get trapped to improve the chances of success if the introduction works this time round.
 
Should I try little bits of together time? An hour on the bed whilst eating for a few days? Or is it a case of if there's peace, keep them together... I.e. get the cage put back as one and everything!
They had a 5x2 c&c cage and were happy, I think moved them into a spare bedroom and made their cage bigger 4x4, they had two of everything, 2 hole hideys. Then after a few weeks in this bigger better cage they started falling out? 🤷
 
Minnieandpebbs said:
Hi, have you tried reintroducing them on nutral territory? Just so they can't smell their 'own territory' and fight for it.
Click to expand...
I haven't tried anything yet other than getting both out on mine and my hubby's knees and sat next to each other but still not in touching distance.
 
Nic bee said:
Should I try little bits of together time? An hour on the bed whilst eating for a few days? Or is it a case of if there's peace, keep them together... I.e. get the cage put back as one and everything!
They had a 5x2 c&c cage and were happy, I think moved them into a spare bedroom and made their cage bigger 4x4, they had two of everything, 2 hole hideys. Then after a few weeks in this bigger better cage they started falling out? 🤷
Click to expand...


No - as I have said above. No periods together then apart. It’s all or nothing. You need to set up a bonding pen, see it through to the end. If it works then transfer them to the new, scent removed and clean home for them permanently. If you keep reintroducing and separating they have to re establish hierarchy each time which is stressful for both.
 
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