Problems Reintroducing Boar To Two Other Boars Following Separation Due To Illness

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Easneyelass

Easneyelass

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Hi there. We have three male guinea pigs that we got from a rescue centre as 8 week olds. They are not related as far as we know! They are now about 6 months old. They have got on well together on the whole with the normal dominance behaviours between two of them. One of the more dominant boars has been ill with a respiratory tract infection and the vet advised that he be separated from the others while he recovers. He has now recovered and we were told that we could put them in together again. They have been separated for four days. We tried today and it didn't go well. There was a lot of loud teeth chattering, raised hackles, etc. There were occasional periods of calm, but it ended with the two more dominant boars lunging for each other and it got pretty crazy. I managed to separate them very quickly and neither were hurt. I brought them together again later on but with the bars of the cage between them. Again there was a lot of very loud teeth chattering, so I didn't try to put them near each other. I have just read the threads on reintroduction and dominance behaviours. I wish I had read it before I tried to put them together again as it may have ended differently.I assumed that after such a short time apart that they would be fine together again. I really don't want to put any of the piggies at risk and so was wondering if I need to leave it a few days before trying again (this time following the guidelines), or is it unlikely to work out. The lone piggie appears to be very sad and keeps calling out for his friends in a very chatty way, but with the occasional very loud high pitch squeak. He seems to be really missing them, but it seems that the other two have moved on without him. Your thoughts and advice would be very gratefully received.
 
I only have does so not a boat expert but I believe they are going to have to re establish dominance. Maybe have them out on neutral ground for a while to work it out and then try to rearrange and clean the cage before you put them back
 
Yep, you need to start from scratch, as if they have never met before. A big, neutral area is needed. And if it goes well the cage will need a very thorough clean and rearrange so it's not "home" to the pair anymore.
 
Boar Trios rarely work out. If they haven't drawn blood they may go back together but based on the description you have given I think it's highly unlikely. You may need to get him a friend of his own. Hope things work out for you.
 
I haven't tried again yet as I have been dealing with a sick child as well! I was going to give it a go again today, but we are going away at the weekend for 10 days. We have someone coming in to feed the piggies. Would it be more sensible to leave the re-introductions until after we get back from our holiday? I am concerned that if we do manage to get them back together again there will be no one around to monitor them. Could they start fighting again even if they seem to accept each other? Will it be even harder if we leave it longer, or does it not matter now that they don't like each other. Thanks for your help.
 
Julie M said:
Boar Trios rarely work out. If they haven't drawn blood they may go back together but based on the description you have given I think it's highly unlikely. You may need to get him a friend of his own. Hope things work out for you.
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It's very sad, but I fear you may be right. The thing is that the one on his own seems really lonely. He keeps calling out and looking for his friends. I just don't want him to end up being depressed.
Would it work having them in separate cages but next to each other, or will that just wind them all up?
 
Easneyelass said:
It's very sad, but I fear you may be right. The thing is that the one on his own seems really lonely. He keeps calling out and looking for his friends. I just don't want him to end up being depressed.
Would it work having them in separate cages but next to each other, or will that just wind them all up?
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It all depends on the pig. I had 3 next to each other at one point. Jon couldn't have cared less, Anselmo liked to sit near the bars and watch what the other did. And Podrick, now he was a nightmare. Always whinging along the bars and chewing all the time.
 
Cookies&Glitter said:
Yea I would wait I'm sure they would need close supervision even if you can get them back together
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Thanks. That's helpful. Will the lone one be OK for all that time on his own? Should I put him near the others?
 
I had to totally separate mine as they were even lunging at each other through the bars. :no: But yours may be ok side by side. As this does work for some as @Jaycey says. Just mine were little terrors. :hb:
 
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