Mini Man Is Officially A Lone Bachelor :(

[LisaBelfast]

So 4 of my boys lived together. Bacon, Mini man (spud) , Craig and Nilla.

They have always had the odd little fight but no one has been left with injuries.
Over the past month my first pig Bacons personality changed dramatically, very depressed and always sitting alone in the corner guarding his bum.

I had noticed lots of little bite marks on his butt and while I was staying at my mums my partner told me that mini man was really bullying Bacon and Bacon was literally squealing. When I came home I noticed bacons ear was very flat and not perky as usual and a very big scab.

I have decided to move Mini man out into his own cage. He has been there for 2 days and ahas still not settled. He keeps squeaking and really chewin at the cage bars. Will this calm down after a while?

Here is the cage he's now in...

Bacon has been in allot better form since mini man has been moved from the cage. I am not happy with mini man ever moving back in with the other boys because its not fair that Bacon is depressed and being bullied...

Hope someone has advice ​

Love from lisa x​

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! A quartet of boars is the most unstable constellation of boars; it seems to work only with elderly or disabled boars for any length of time; closely followed by a trio, even more so when you have youngsters that are hitting the teenage hormones. You are most likely going to end with two single boars and hopefully one working pair. We have had other members that have ended up with four boars not getting on.

Please make sure that the bite wounds on Bacon's back get seen by vet ( he may need an antibiotic) and keep checking them in case of an abscess forming. Please weigh all your boys weekly to make sure that there is no bullying and diminished weight gain/weight loss.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...ng-ideal-weight-overweight-underweight.38805/

 

[LisaBelfast]

Hi! A quartet of boars is the most unstable constellation of boars; it seems to work only with elderly or disabled boars for any length of time; closely followed by a trio, even more so when you have youngsters that are hitting the teenage hormones. You are most likely going to end with two single boars and hopefully one working pair. We have had other members that have ended up with four boars not getting on.

Please make sure that the bite wounds on Bacon's back get seen by vet ( he may need an antibiotic) and keep checking them in case of an abscess forming. Please weigh all your boys weekly to make sure that there is no bullying and diminished weight gain/weight loss.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...ng-ideal-weight-overweight-underweight.38805/

The other 3 have always got on. I have another boar who lives alone and he really prefers it.
And yea I think mini man is going through his teenage stage. He is the youngest of them all.

And the wounds on Bacons back are all healed and the scabs have fell of its his ear that is the worst but will bring him to the vet to see what cream they would advise. And thank you for the links

 

[Wiebke]

If your remaining trio is stable, then please leave them to it and call yourself blessed - more trios fail than work!

 

[LisaBelfast]

If your remaining trio is stable, then please leave them to it and call yourself blessed - more trios fail than work!

Well that makes me proud ^_^ <3 I think its because Bacon is the leader of Nilla and Craig and both of them two are far to docile to fight lol Threw in a picture of them 3

Thanks for your help xx

 

[LisaBelfast]

Update : Mini man has been alone in his cage now for a few days and he is still really chewing at the bars and I'm afraid of him breaking his teeth? Iv'e kept him in the same room as the other pigs so he can see them and hear them because that's what I have done with Damien as he also lives alone and he loves it.

I'm just wondering will mini man be ok ? Is this to stressful for him being alone?

 

[Guinea Slave]

Could he not be neutered and get a wife? Sounds like he is very lonely. For now though, maybe give him a soft toy to cuddle up to? But really it sounds like he needs a friend...probably of the female variety...

 

[LisaBelfast]

Could he not be neutered and get a wife? Sounds like he is very lonely. For now though, maybe give him a soft toy to cuddle up to? But really it sounds like he needs a friend...probably of the female variety...

Yes he could but I am getting Damien operated on this friday to get a lump removed and also to get castrated so he can have a female friend also. Its £70 so i would have to wait another two weeks or so to be able to get mini man done. Also I live in an apartment and I havn't much room at the minute but am planning to move to a bigger house soon, when ever one comes up.

Should i monitor him and see if he calms down any ? Just dont want him dieing or getting extremely depressed. He doesn't like being held very much he always runs away and is very timid. All my other pigs love being held and sit on my knee and are content enough. I'm just worried about him.

 

[Guinea Slave]

Sorry to hear that Damien needs an op....healing vibes sent!

I would definitely try and plan to neuter mini man if and when you can then take him wife dating :-). In the meantime a teddy or other soft toy may well help. He sounds like he is just a stressful boy and just needs time and your love. Keep trying with him, be patient, some take more time than others and he's unhappy right now which won't help. Maybe sit with him and hand feed him for a while? Then start the lap time. Just lots of small repetitive steps. Most of mine naturally run when you first go to catch them, it's a natural instinct as they are prey animals and their eyesight is terrible, but then they just chill and love their cuddles, so it's nothing personal. With trust and care, He will turnaround I promise!

 

[LisaBelfast]

Aww Thank you I'm really nervous about it but it has to be done.

And he has a little monkey toy in with him but he chews and the cage then goes over to the monkey and rips his hair out and its a never ending cycle. And I will he deffo needs some more time with me because he is so nervous and its been made worse with him having to be removed from the others. And I didn't know that about their eyesight :O and I hope so thakn you so much for your help <3 much appreciated .

 

[Guinea Slave]

I am sure Damien will be fine, they are tough little things really and he's in good hands :-)

Re mini man, poor little chap, he sounds very frustrated, hopefully he will settle. I have a lone girl, she hates other guineas despite numerous attempts she is far happier on her own. If she sees the others (or they are too close) she bar chews. We thought it was because she wanted to be with them but when one was having a wander and got too close, my girl went for her through the bars. On numerous occasions she has expressed how she feels about them in a very negative way. So maybe he still feels threatened by them?

 

[LisaBelfast]

Damien done really well he's home! He got his lump removed and his two wee lower men... He's quite quiet think he's coming of the anaesthetic. The stitches dissolve but I have to keep an eye on him, Do you know if I clean the wound? the vet didn't tell me to much about after care just as long as he's pooping,peeing and eating it should all be fine. I have to go back after 4 days for a check up. The lump was apparently a impacted gland? can any one tell me anything more on this and can they return? Also the vet said if he starts to pick at the stitches i've to make him some sort of outfit to keep him from biting it, if anyone has any ideas just incase

So an update on mini man also! I have gave Damien the cage mini man was in and mini man now has Damien's cage which is smaller but resembles the one he was previously in with the other boys and he isn't chewing at the bars and seems allot more content thank god <3 And yea mini man used to have a go at Damien through the bars and then took it out on the others and it became a habit I think.

So all is good in my piggy house hold at the minute <3

Also Damien will be receiving a girlfriend in a few months time, lots of piggy dates because he deserves it. He has turned around from being Damien the omen pig to my wee happy man who gives kisses all the time <3 :')

The picture is of Damien's pillow for when he returned home " reserved for his Lordship" ^_^ <3

Thank you all for your help .

xxxxxx

 

[Julie M]

Get well soon Damien.