Mixed bonding

B

Balfie3

New Born Pup
Joined
Oct 30, 2020
Messages
33
Reaction score
13
Points
130
Location
England
Hello
Today about 5 hours ago I put my two sows who I have had for over 6 months and my boar who I have had for 2 months (he was neutered 6 weeks ago) together. My submissive sow accepted my boar quite fast and she allowed him to hump her. Ever since then he keeps trying to hump her and she does her submissive squealing. Will this stop?

My dominant sow, however, is being really difficult. She doesn't let her guard down. Everytime my boar goes near her, she nips at him or chases him away. The nipping gets quite intense (in human eyes) but my boar has a tiny cut on his nose so far. My poor boy runs away from her as she goes after him. My dominant sow and boar are both texel. My boar is a bit larger in weight and fur size but we were thinking to maybe cut my sows fur shorter? I don't know if she will accept him. Should I give up or try again tomorrow? Should I let them keep going today?
 
Balfie3 said:
Hello
Today about 5 hours ago I put my two sows who I have had for over 6 months and my boar who I have had for 2 months (he was neutered 6 weeks ago) together. My submissive sow accepted my boar quite fast and she allowed him to hump her. Ever since then he keeps trying to hump her and she does her submissive squealing. Will this stop?

My dominant sow, however, is being really difficult. She doesn't let her guard down. Everytime my boar goes near her, she nips at him or chases him away. The nipping gets quite intense (in human eyes) but my boar has a tiny cut on his nose so far. My poor boy runs away from her as she goes after him. My dominant sow and boar are both texel. My boar is a bit larger in weight and fur size but we were thinking to maybe cut my sows fur shorter? I don't know if she will accept him. Should I give up or try again tomorrow? Should I let them keep going today?
Click to expand...

Your undersow is not a problem; she has accepted your boy and is complaining about the humping, but that is par for the course.
I am not sure whether the top sow has accepted him or not. If she has, then they are already in the dominance phase and he is just the usual sex-pest, as younger neutered boars tend to be when they finally meet the girls.

You can give it another try tomorrow as tensions are high; you should see how the girls react when they meet him then whether the bond is going to work out or not.
 
Wiebke said:
Your undersow is not a problem; she has accepted your boy and is complaining about the humping, but that is par for the course.
I am not sure whether the top sow has accepted him or not. If she has, then they are already in the dominance phase and he is just the usual sex-pest, as younger neutered boars tend to be when they finally meet the girls.

You can give it another try tomorrow as tensions are high; you should see how the girls react when they meet him then whether the bond is going to work out or not.
Click to expand...
Thank you for replying so fast. They're eating hay together and there isn't much tension then, only when my boy tries with the dominant one. We cut my sow's fur shorter because we found that to help in previous situations when there were only two girls. If that doesn't do anything then I guess we have to try again tomorrow. I wonder why my boy is running away though.
 
Great advice above. I just wanted to pick up on something. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to who’s dominant. And cutting your dominant sow’s hair won’t make a difference either. Hopefully she will have calmed down tomorrow and accepts him. Have a read of the dominance behaviours in the link below as well, very useful.
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
 
Siikibam said:
Great advice above. I just wanted to pick up on something. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to who’s dominant. And cutting your dominant sow’s hair won’t make a difference either. Hopefully she will have calmed down tomorrow and accepts him. Have a read of the dominance behaviours in the link below as well, very useful.
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the link. Definitely going to have a read of that one. I'm just really trying to do everything I can to make it work. Trying to pick up on every little sign.
 
Good luck! I'm sure it'll settle down in a week or so. I had the opposite situation, my boar was very submissive when I introduced him on Monday, hasn't tried to hump them once and only makes rumbling noises constantly. However it did cause issues with my sows (all my sows who never fight) started pretending to nip each other and then when they stopped bickering, another sow would argue with another one my boar kept out of it. But I left them to it and after a few hours there was no aggression atall. At first I made a hidey but this did cause issues as they pigs all wanted this area (even though it was big enough for all of them and was open ( a blanket drapped over a third of the cage) so I took that out made them sort out their issues with plenty of their favourite foods, fresh grass, hay and parsley and then when things had calmed down I put the hideys back into the cage (two seperate large open ended ones) and the issues stopped and they were all very calm.
You really need them together for atleast a few hours until they calm down. How long did you have them together for? It's always going to look a bit messy at first (I've watched no end of bonding videos online and it shows you what is normal quite often their is a dominant sow who struggles initially to accept the new herd member but this is normal and eventually (hopefully) settles down. Best of luck! Keep us all updated :)
 
Tara95 said:
Good luck! I'm sure it'll settle down in a week or so. I had the opposite situation, my boar was very submissive when I introduced him on Monday, hasn't tried to hump them once and only makes rumbling noises constantly. However it did cause issues with my sows (all my sows who never fight) started pretending to nip each other and then when they stopped bickering, another sow would argue with another one my boar kept out of it. But I left them to it and after a few hours there was no aggression atall. At first I made a hidey but this did cause issues as they pigs all wanted this area (even though it was big enough for all of them and was open ( a blanket drapped over a third of the cage) so I took that out made them sort out their issues with plenty of their favourite foods, fresh grass, hay and parsley and then when things had calmed down I put the hideys back into the cage (two seperate large open ended ones) and the issues stopped and they were all very calm.
You really need them together for atleast a few hours until they calm down. How long did you have them together for? It's always going to look a bit messy at first (I've watched no end of bonding videos online and it shows you what is normal quite often their is a dominant sow who struggles initially to accept the new herd member but this is normal and eventually (hopefully) settles down. Best of luck! Keep us all updated :)
Click to expand...
They were together for about 5 hours. I'm glad your sows calmed down eventually though. They are all back in their cages and I think I'm going to do it again with a fresh start tomorrow. Today was quite hectic. And I did watch a few videos but the owners seem to persevere so well. I know guinea pigs can be quite overreactive but my boar kept running towards me when the sow would nip at him. I will update tomorrow, hopefully with more success. Thank you for the kind supportive words!
 
Aww bless him, that is hard to watch when he's running towards you for help! I remember my boar was looking at me when he was first introduced too, kind of like "take me out" as I think he was a bit nervous. A lot of these owners/experienced pig handlers really do persevere! It's easier to say than do though! Sometimes it looks really messy. I remember watching little adventures video when she introduced her recent neuteured boar and I think it was Gatsby that was really reluctant to accept and being quite nippy as she was the new leader of the herd! Try and persevere next time (I know it's hard to do) just put lots and lots of food in to distract them (plenty of grass if you can pick some) Grass has always solved all of my guinea pigs problems. Best of luck I'm sure it'll be fine! These things take time though and it may not help you if you keep removing him unecessarily. Xx
 
Edit: have only just read about the cut on nose! Can see why you'd be worried. Perhaps it was just an accidental warning nip. Best of luck tomorrow! Xx sorry have just woke up after a nap. Excellent advice above! Xx
 
Your boar runs away because he doesn't want to fight. Aggression and dominance are not the same thing. It may take time for him to win her round. If he is confident to keep approaching her and sensible enough to back off when she nips I would take as a positive sign. Sometimes bonding neutered boars with sows can take several attempts with cooling off periods inbetween.
 
Tara95 said:
Aww bless him, that is hard to watch when he's running towards you for help! I remember my boar was looking at me when he was first introduced too, kind of like "take me out" as I think he was a bit nervous. A lot of these owners/experienced pig handlers really do persevere! It's easier to say than do though! Sometimes it looks really messy. I remember watching little adventures video when she introduced her recent neuteured boar and I think it was Gatsby that was really reluctant to accept and being quite nippy as she was the new leader of the herd! Try and persevere next time (I know it's hard to do) just put lots and lots of food in to distract them (plenty of grass if you can pick some) Grass has always solved all of my guinea pigs problems. Best of luck I'm sure it'll be fine! These things take time though and it may not help you if you keep removing him unecessarily. Xx
Click to expand...
Yeah, I just rewatched that video because that bit where Max and Gatsby jumped at eachother looked quite rough. I will do 110% of what I can for this to work.
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
Your boar runs away because he doesn't want to fight. Aggression and dominance are not the same thing. It may take time for him to win her round. If he is confident to keep approaching her and sensible enough to back off when she nips I would take as a positive sign. Sometimes bonding neutered boars with sows can take several attempts with cooling off periods inbetween.
Click to expand...
That makes sense! Thank you for helping me see this somewhat in a positive light. I really do want my boy to be happy with my girls.
 
Balfie3 said:
Yeah, I just rewatched that video because that bit where Max and Gatsby jumped at eachother looked quite rough. I will do 110% of what I can for this to work.
Click to expand...
It will work stay positive, it's how nature intended it to be. Try not to worry! Even if they bicker every now and then after the settling in period.. it's normal and you've got this do not to worry!
 
Today I put them together again at around 08:20. All 4 of us (me and the three piggies) are sat around as if we are waiting for something magical to happen. Well at least I'm waiting for something magical to happen. My submissive one is getting annoyed with my boar so she nips at him too. My dominant isn't as nippy as yesterday, so I think that's good. I think I'm going to leave them here for the rest of the day. They shouldn't have a terrible fight now right?
 
Things actually seem a lot better as all three of them ran away onto the carpet together and my dominant one only nips when my boar starts making dominant moves. Hopefully I can move them back in by today.
 
Sounds like it’s going well, good luck!
My Jess (right on my avatar) was the boss over my boar Luigi who was almost twice her size and weight until she passed away a few months ago at 7 and a half, she was 750g ish and he’s 1420g at his biggest! Size definitely doesn’t matter, it’s piggy attitude! :)
 
alpacasqueak said:
Sounds like it’s going well, good luck!
My Jess (right on my avatar) was the boss over my boar Luigi who was almost twice her size and weight until she passed away a few months ago at 7 and a half, she was 750g ish and he’s 1420g at his biggest! Size definitely doesn’t matter, it’s piggy attitude! :)
Click to expand...
Oh woah. So your boar wasn't the dominant one? Can that actually happen?
 
Balfie3 said:
Oh woah. So your boar wasn't the dominant one? Can that actually happen?
Click to expand...
Haha nope definitely not with Jess! He is over my other female who joined them in January Aliona (as she was bottom of the trio) but Jess had 3 husboars and they were all whipped into shape!
That’s her man Rupert on the pic she lived with for six years until he passed, Luigi was a young hormonal humper when he moved in but he soon gave that up when she told him! Don’t get me wrong, they had issues for the first few weeks when he tried it on but she was a capybara on the inside not a pig so always won! These sows are bossy madams at times!
0E4D8010-1580-442A-A814-EA05A2E8BFCA.webp
Just to show size difference! Luigi is the cheeky boy at the front, Aliona on the left and my lovely OAP Jess on the right! Tiny but bursting with kick-ass attitude!
 
alpacasqueak said:
Haha nope definitely not with Jess! He is over my other female who joined them in January Aliona (as she was bottom of the trio) but Jess had 3 husboars and they were all whipped into shape!
That’s her man Rupert on the pic she lived with for six years until he passed, Luigi was a young hormonal humper when he moved in but he soon gave that up when she told him! Don’t get me wrong, they had issues for the first few weeks when he tried it on but she was a capybara on the inside not a pig so always won! These sows are bossy madams at times!
View attachment 160155
Just to show size difference! Luigi is the cheeky boy at the front, Aliona on the left and my lovely OAP Jess on the right! Tiny but bursting with kick-ass attitude!
Click to expand...
This picture is making me want to get more piggies! I'm so sorry about them passing. I thinkg quite a lot about when these naughty babies won't be here for me.

Back to the dominant girl, I find it quite odd because she (Bari) has the natural texel nature of being sweet and kind. But she is the youngest and the more dominant one. These little pigs are funny with behavior.

Update: My dominant one followed my boar onto the carpet and she let him hump her. I feel like I won £1000!
 
Thank you, she totally broke my heart! It was tough when I introduced Aliona, they had a strange few months getting to know each other, Jess had always lived with males and Aliona was smitten with Luigi! So a lot of drama, Jess just ran away from her but she was insistent on trying to be boss! But they sorted it out in the end, although a bit touch and go tbh! These pigs are much more complex than people think!

Brilliant sounds like they’re accepting each other better then, hopefully they’ll come to an agreement and will be ok when together in the cage! 🤞
 
alpacasqueak said:
Thank you, she totally broke my heart! It was tough when I introduced Aliona, they had a strange few months getting to know each other, Jess had always lived with males and Aliona was smitten with Luigi! So a lot of drama, Jess just ran away from her but she was insistent on trying to be boss! But they sorted it out in the end, although a bit touch and go tbh! These pigs are much more complex than people think!

Brilliant sounds like they’re accepting each other better then, hopefully they’ll come to an agreement and will be ok when together in the cage! 🤞
Click to expand...
I totally agree! I see those poor tiny little guinea pigs in Pets at Home and the thought that they will go to families with little children who won't have a clue about them. I want to buy them all if it means they won't be in a tiny cage and fed pellets with an occasional slice if cucumber.
 
Balfie3 said:
I totally agree! I see those poor tiny little guinea pigs in Pets at Home and the thought that they will go to families with little children who won't have a clue about them. I want to buy them all if it means they won't be in a tiny cage and fed pellets with an occasional slice if cucumber.
Click to expand...
Yes sure a lot of us feel that way on here! I try and ‘drill it in’ a bit to my 12yr old niece that these ‘easy’ pets as they’re portrayed really aren’t easy! She spreads the word to her friends about all the trouble me and my pigs/chins/rats have had over the years and I really hope it puts them off asking for one for Christmas etc! 🤞
 
alpacasqueak said:
Yes sure a lot of us feel that way on here! I try and ‘drill it in’ a bit to my 12yr old niece that these ‘easy’ pets as they’re portrayed really aren’t easy! She spreads the word to her friends about all the trouble me and my pigs/chins/rats have had over the years and I really hope it puts them off asking for one for Christmas etc! 🤞
Click to expand...
At the end of the day they are another living being. Yeah I did read a few people's posts that have similar feelings.
 
Glad the bonding seems to be working out, boars can sometimes be submissive- when we introduced lonely little Theo boar to 4 ladies he tried be the boss... then after 24 hours he gave up on that and had to come have some quiet guy time hiding up my husband's shirt :) Theo is now thoroughly bossed about by 5 very dominant and assertive lady pigs and he's quite happy with that, he likes the quiet life! They let him rumble a bit and they tell him when and if he's wanted for a bit of humping and if not he just eats and sleeps a lot, he still feels very proud and happy that he has a big herd of lady friends and he likes to guard them all and keep watch while they are asleep :)
 
PigglePuggle said:
Glad the bonding seems to be working out, boars can sometimes be submissive- when we introduced lonely little Theo boar to 4 ladies he tried be the boss... then after 24 hours he gave up on that and had to come have some quiet guy time hiding up my husband's shirt :) Theo is now thoroughly bossed about by 5 very dominant and assertive lady pigs and he's quite happy with that, he likes the quiet life! They let him rumble a bit and they tell him when and if he's wanted for a bit of humping and if not he just eats and sleeps a lot, he still feels very proud and happy that he has a big herd of lady friends and he likes to guard them all and keep watch while they are asleep :)
Click to expand...
Aww, that is so sweet. Theo sounds like a happy husboar then :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top