New Baby Boar - Still Figuring Out Behaviour

jennyhw

jennyhw

Junior Guinea Pig
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Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Good day lovelies. I have recently acquired a new baby boar (about 2-3 months old). He was the last one left of his group. I have had piggies in the past, so am familiar with them and also have a great vet that I also use for my indoor rabbits (my piggie is not housed with my rabbits, as they are free-roam).

My question is in regards to his little personality. I am used to my previous piggies having larger than life personalities - lots of vocalization, very active, etc.

This little guy has been at home with us for 2 weeks now. He is still hiding all the time when we are near him (we have provided him with lots of hiding areas) in his large pen. He has unlimited access to timothy hay and water and his portion of pellets. He has not vocalized at all (we have yet to hear him wheak), he has done a bit of chirping and no rumbling at all.

I am definitely considering getting him a friend. But I am just really unsure if this is normal behaviour for a new piggie. Is he still just shy and scared? He seems healthy - eyes are bright, no discharge, eating and peeing well, so I'm not worried about his health. I've just not experienced a piggie being quite so scared at this point 2 weeks in.

Is this normal behaviour? What else can I do to make him feel safe and comfortable?
 
If he's on his own, it's more likely he's afraid than it is he's unwell, especially if he's so young. He's got no older pigs to learn from, to work out what's safe with...you get the idea. Getting him a friend he can learn from or learn with is exactly what he needs.

Edit: I know you're not a brand new owner, but some of the guides will be helpful anyway Guinea Pig Care & Information Guides
 
Lorcan said:
If he's on his own, it's more likely he's afraid than it is he's unwell, especially if he's so young. He's got no older pigs to learn from, to work out what's safe with...you get the idea. Getting him a friend he can learn from or learn with is exactly what he needs.

Edit: I know you're not a brand new owner, but some of the guides will be helpful anyway Guinea Pig Care & Information Guides
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Thank you Lorcan. Our last piggie had such a huge personality right from day one, so I'm not used to a piggy being so quiet, shy and scared. I have contacted my local rescue this morning to see about getting him a friend. I will definitely take a read of the guides.
 
Some are just also quiet...my last pair of boars, one made all the noise for the pair of them 95% of the time. The other one rarely needed to help lol.
 
Is there anything else I can do in the meantime to help him relax (until I can get him a friend)? I have given him lots of places to hide, I get down on his level and don't stand over him, etc.
 
jennyhw said:
Is there anything else I can do in the meantime to help him relax (until I can get him a friend)? I have given him lots of places to hide, I get down on his level and don't stand over him, etc.
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If you talk quietly and calmly to him when you are around his cage he will start to realise that you are not going to eat him, animals that pose a threat are always very quiet before they pounce x
 
Bill & Ted said:
If you talk quietly and calmly to him when you are around his cage he will start to realise that you are not going to eat him, animals that pose a threat are always very quiet before they pounce x
Click to expand...
Great suggestion! I have been doing this and find he will actually eat in front of me when I'm talking quietly to him.
 
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