not sure whether to split my 2 boars up or not

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skiddy sj

hi I'm new to the forum and although have kept guinea pigs for some time could do with alittle advice! Having had 2 brothers from babies 1 died 2 yrs ago aged 6 and I managed to successfully introduce another 1 to the remaining 1 Chuckie. Unfortunately recently Chuckie died so yesterday I took my children 2 get another boar to see if we could manage the same thing again. They seem to be ok some of the time but there is also some teeth chattering and teeth showing and head rearing going on at present they are on the kitchen floor in a run with the cage lid inside so that I can separate if needed! unfortunately I can't watch them allthe time but at themoment I'm having to separate before I leave them cos I don't want either 1 to get hurt.How long do think I should try before I give up and buy another cage. We haven't much room and having a run in the middle of a smallish kitchen isn't along term option.By the way Gizmo is 2 and the new 1-Jamie is younger but not 2 sure how much younger.Don't t
remember it being this hard last time. HELP! skiddy sj
 
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to say that the rearing of heads is likely to result in an attack.

The teeth chattering and rumbling is acceptable as they are trying to work out the dominance issue. However once they start strutting and rearing their heads it has gone beyond that point.

I would certainly separate them.

Maybe you could part them for a few weeks, just leaving them in separate cages but near enough to smell each other. Then introduce them slowly by swapping them over in the cages but leaving in the same bedding etc. That way you will able to see their reaction. If they start to chatter and strut when apart but in the other ones cage, second time round, I'm afraid it's a sure sign that it isn't going to work.

Sorry to bring you the bad news but boars can often be very difficult to bond.
Claire
xx
 
welcome to the forum,
it sounds as if the introduction may have been a bit rushed. did you intro duce them on neutral territory first?
keeping them seperate for a few weeks does sound like a good idea. they will have forgotten all about each other by then, and you can start over.

jane
 
Agree with whats been said so far, I have 8 boars, 6 in pairs and know how tricky it can be!

I would separate but re try bonding at a later stage, say in a few weeks. Keep them near eachother in the meantime. Bonding with boars is best done slowly, in neutral territory with neither of the others smells or toys etc Plenty of cage space is needed by two boars as well.
One of my pairs had a bit of a fight a few weeks back, luckily I was here. I bathed them both with Gorgeous Guineas shampoo, blow dried them etc..and completely cleaned and disinfected their cage and rearranged things...they have been fine ever since :D Perhaps it was the shock or the fact they smelled the same but they forgot their troubles ;)
 
If you could watch them day and night I would say wait it out but as that is tricky I do agree that seperating for now and introduce more slowly.

I would say do it when you can watch them full time, it can be tricky I've 6 boars all in pairs and I've had to sleep on the sofa watching them all night to make sure they don't fight when bonding.

Good luck with them. :)
 
Lol Louise, I never went that far, I like my bed too much ;D :D

A relaxed approach helps too I think, try not to stress about it ;)
 
LOL Fi, Sunshine and Radley were totally fine and I didn't have to watch them but the other 4 were still rumbling all the time. It's great when they bond though. :)
 
Hi thanks 4 advice have had them together in run 4 most of day and then under cage top 4 a while but have now got 1 under cage top inside run and 1 actually in the run so that they can see each other but can't get to each other. They seem to be ok some of the time but now and then are still chattering teeth and the younger one keeps showing his teeth. They sat together peacefully for a while after we had them both out but looks like I need another cage at least for the time being.

skiddy sj
 
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