Separating My Boys - Advice Needed

[Lisa owner of Darwin & Toby]

We have two beautiful boars Darwin and Toby who have lived together for 8 months. It was touch and go for a while whether they were going to get on and after a couple of months things calmed down and they got on ok.....when I say ok what I mean is they tolerated one another not cuddling up to each other or anything like that. Over the last few days thing have taken a really bad turn as they are going for each other most of the time and now Toby has received a bite on the side of his mouth and a cut on his face so I've no alternative but to separate them now....my question is: can they both live happy lives if they can still see one another without the contact? They live in a 6ft C&C cage and I was thinking of putting a clear divider down the middle so that they can still see each other.

I would be grateful for any advice.

 

[Wiebke]

I am very sorry; hormonal teenage boys can really give you nightmares! Between 8-10 months is often the trickiest time.

Yes, they can live next to each other with contact through the bars for constant stimulation, even if that mainly consists of hurling insults! Normal bars are perfectly OK.

In the long term, you may want to think about pairing each boy up with a new rescue dated companion for character compatibility or have the boars neutered to live with a sow each; cross gender bonds are the most stable. If you want to go down either of those routes, BARC rescue, one of our recommended rescues, is local to you and by far the safest place to get suitable companions from.
They can also tell you which vet they use for neutering, as he will be the best and safest for the job locally. if you decide on neutering, you will have to factor in a 6 weeks post op wait until a boar is 100% safe to go with a sow. Rescue dating under expert supervision ensures that the piggies like each other and that initial acceptance has happened. You will also have the rescue as a fall back for the length of their adopted piggies' lives if there are ever any problems. Please note that neutering won't change your boy's behaviour.
http://barnsleyanimalrescue.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/BARCrescue

I use Ikea tables for my upstairs small group/pairs cages; a linnmon table top 75-150cm is perfect for a cable-tied 2x4 grid C&C and nicely fits into your already existing footprint, so you do not lose any more space. It leaves you enough space to poo patrol and clean the lower cage comfortably. I just lift the table with my shoulders to change the bedding. This is only if you consider having two pairs of piggies. I have attached a picture of my own setup to give you an idea.

 

[Lisa owner of Darwin & Toby]

Many thanks for the information and the picture, I really appreciate them.
I hate having to separate them but going forward finding them both a female may be the best solution.

Thanks again
Lisa

I am very sorry; hormonal teenage boys can really give you nightmares! Between 8-10 months is often the trickiest time.

Yes, they can live next to each other with contact through the bars for constant stimulation, even if that mainly consists of hurling insults! Normal bars are perfectly OK.

In the long term, you may want to think about pairing each boy up with a new rescue dated companion for character compatibility or have the boars neutered to live with a sow each; cross gender bonds are the most stable. If you want to go down either of those routes, BARC rescue, one of our recommended rescues, is local to you and by far the safest place to get suitable companions from.
They can also tell you which vet they use for neutering, as he will be the best and safest for the job locally. if you decide on neutering, you will have to factor in a 6 weeks post op wait until a boar is 100% to go with a sow. Rescue dating under expert supervision ensures that the piggies like each other and that initial acceptance has happened. You will also have the rescue as a fall back for the length of their adopted piggies' lives if there are ever any problems. Please note that neutering won't change your boy's behaviour.
http://barnsleyanimalrescue.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/BARCrescue

I use Ikea tables for my upstairs small group/pairs cages; a linnmon table top 75-150cm is perfect for a cable-tied 2x4 grid C&C and nicely fits into your already existing footprint, so you do not lose any more space. It leaves you enough space to poo patrol and clean the lower cage comfortably. I just lift the table with my shoulders to change the bedding. This is only if you consider having two pairs of piggies. I have attached a picture of my own setup to give you an idea.

 

[Goth Mummy]

Sorry that this has happened. I would put them next to each other initially, so they can interact with each other. They will be ok but obviously the ideal is to bond them each with a new pal. It took me ages to find a friend for Jack so be prepared for a long wait to find a boar-friend if you dont decide to neuter. Jack lived alongside Pumpkin and Boo for months though so he was not lonely x

 

[Lisa owner of Darwin & Toby]

Sorry that this has happened. I would put them next to each other initially, so they can interact with each other. They will be ok but obviously the ideal is to bond them each with a new pal. It took me ages to find a friend for Jack so be prepared for a long wait to find a boar-friend if you dont decide to neuter. Jack lived alongside Pumpkin and Boo for months though so he was not lonely x

Thank you.
After giving it some thought, I am going to see how things go with them living along side one another first. They will be right next to each other and see and hear what the other one is doing which I'm hoping will keep them happy.
It's such a shame they don't get along but I guess it's nature!

 

[MerryPip]

Sorry to hear your boys aren't happy with each other.... It's difficult when pet stores and private breeders/individuals will sell any selection of piggies to anyone without thought for compatibility. You wouldn't pick your husband or wife out of a room full of people on first sight and then expect to live happily ever after in a bedsit forever so people shouldn't expect piggies to effectively do the same But even with bonded pairs, sometimes it all goes wrong especially with lively pairs of boys when they get to their hormonal teenage years and suddenly their best friend isn't so friendly anymore..... Been there, done that!

Wiebke has given you the same advice I would have given... It's always good to try dating at a rescue because then your boys can find a buddy they get on well with, be that another male or a lady friend after they have been neutered. I've been boar dating 4 times now after bereavements and fall outs and it's a great way to let your piggy find a friend they love. Like Wiebke says, if you want to go down the route f neutering then make sure you use a good, experienced vet to reduce the risk of complications and make sure they have 6 weeks alone to make sure they are safe before introducing them to a female. Accidents can still happen at around 5 weeks post neuter so it's worth waiting! BARC is a great rescue, I had a lovely boar friend for one of my boys from there and a bit further afield, Milhaven Rescue is also excellent and I've been dating there too. It's worth waiting to find the right piggy. Bear in mind that it's all about compatible personalities so don't worry if the first piggy you try isn't 'the one', be patient and try again, the right pig will be out there somewhere.....

Keeping them side by side is a good solution while you decide what your options are. Sometimes they get on better with a divider, a case of can't live with you, can't live without you.

 

[Goth Mummy]

I think sometimes people try to rebond boars after the hormonal phase has subsided (12-18 months old) but it did not work for me. I would be interested to know if anyone has succeeded though! I tried lots of piggies with Jack, but eventually found a baby that he liked

 

[Lisa owner of Darwin & Toby]

Sorry to hear your boys aren't happy with each other.... It's difficult when pet stores and private breeders/individuals will sell any selection of piggies to anyone without thought for compatibility. You wouldn't pick your husband or wife out of a room full of people on first sight and then expect to live happily ever after in a bedsit forever so people shouldn't expect piggies to effectively do the same But even with bonded pairs, sometimes it all goes wrong especially with lively pairs of boys when they get to their hormonal teenage years and suddenly their best friend isn't so friendly anymore..... Been there, done that!

Wiebke has given you the same advice I would have given... It's always good to try dating at a rescue because then your boys can find a buddy they get on well with, be that another male or a lady friend after they have been neutered. I've been boar dating 4 times now after bereavements and fall outs and it's a great way to let your piggy find a friend they love. Like Wiebke says, if you want to go down the route f neutering then make sure you use a good, experienced vet to reduce the risk of complications and make sure they have 6 weeks alone to make sure they are safe before introducing them to a female. Accidents can still happen at around 5 weeks post neuter so it's worth waiting! BARC is a great rescue, I had a lovely boar friend for one of my boys from there and a bit further afield, Milhaven Rescue is also excellent and I've been dating there too. It's worth waiting to find the right piggy. Bear in mind that it's all about compatible personalities so don't worry if the first piggy you try isn't 'the one', be patient and try again, the right pig will be out there somewhere.....

Keeping them side by side is a good solution while you decide what your options are. Sometimes they get on better with a divider, a case of can't live with you, can't live without you.

Thank you x