MunchMummy
Junior Guinea Pig
I'm afraid I am back on here to talk about another loss. My oldest boy Leonard passed away on Saturday morning. I am so heartbroken. It was so quick and the vet said it was almost certainly just an old age shut down, perhaps a stroke.
I am comforted by the fact he was seemingly perfectly fine the day before and that he didn't have to suffer. But I am missing him so much. About a week and a half ago we also had a close family bereavement and so losing Leonard on Saturday was devastating.
However, his cagemate Howie is a priority and as if it were fate, our local rescue has 3 lonely boars needing a friend. Howie is 4 and a little grumpy but was never the dominant pig in his pairing with Leonard.
We spoke to them rescue and between us we decided to attempt to bond Howie with the youngest of the 3 boars, who is also the most reserved of the 3.
We are unable to visit the centre as covid restrictions are still in place, so I have researched your wonderful site and all boars bonding tips. We have a neutral, large run and new open-ended hideys for the initial bonding. New hideys, cosies, bottles, bowls, toys etc and clean bedding all ready to neutralise the c&c if all goes well. The c&c is 2x6, with a loft at either end and we have 2 of everything!
We have a spare, large indoor cage I'm case things don't go well and I have read exhaustively! I think we are ready but apart from Howie and Leonard who were father and son, I've never had to "boars date" before. So I wondered if anyone had any more top tips or pearls of wisdom before new piggy arrives tomorrow!
My main question is whether our plan B is OK. If Howie and new pig Piggo don't bond, I don't think I would have the heart to send new boy back - I would want him to have a loving home with us here! Would it then be an idea to try Piggo with one of our sow pairs instead (as he is neutered)? Or would it be best to take him back to the rescue again?
And in the (hopefully unlikely) event that Howie doesn't take to a new cage mate, we can move C&Cs around and have him separated but next to a sow pair. Is that a good solution?
Sorry...so many questions but I so want to do the right thing by all the piggies!
I am comforted by the fact he was seemingly perfectly fine the day before and that he didn't have to suffer. But I am missing him so much. About a week and a half ago we also had a close family bereavement and so losing Leonard on Saturday was devastating.
However, his cagemate Howie is a priority and as if it were fate, our local rescue has 3 lonely boars needing a friend. Howie is 4 and a little grumpy but was never the dominant pig in his pairing with Leonard.
We spoke to them rescue and between us we decided to attempt to bond Howie with the youngest of the 3 boars, who is also the most reserved of the 3.
We are unable to visit the centre as covid restrictions are still in place, so I have researched your wonderful site and all boars bonding tips. We have a neutral, large run and new open-ended hideys for the initial bonding. New hideys, cosies, bottles, bowls, toys etc and clean bedding all ready to neutralise the c&c if all goes well. The c&c is 2x6, with a loft at either end and we have 2 of everything!
We have a spare, large indoor cage I'm case things don't go well and I have read exhaustively! I think we are ready but apart from Howie and Leonard who were father and son, I've never had to "boars date" before. So I wondered if anyone had any more top tips or pearls of wisdom before new piggy arrives tomorrow!
My main question is whether our plan B is OK. If Howie and new pig Piggo don't bond, I don't think I would have the heart to send new boy back - I would want him to have a loving home with us here! Would it then be an idea to try Piggo with one of our sow pairs instead (as he is neutered)? Or would it be best to take him back to the rescue again?
And in the (hopefully unlikely) event that Howie doesn't take to a new cage mate, we can move C&Cs around and have him separated but next to a sow pair. Is that a good solution?
Sorry...so many questions but I so want to do the right thing by all the piggies!
Fingers very much crossed it all goes well. I think Howie is getting fed up with me constantly giving him little tickles to check he's OK, without there food being involved! 
