Single Boar Behaviour Problems

[catcrunchies]

Just asking for some other opinions and advice on this one!

I had to split up two of my boys after finding very nasty bites on both of them. Because of the set-up we have, they're now living on top of each other and next door to our other two so they can chat. The problem is that they're both clearly unhappy being alone. Fandango has started chewing everything he can reach (he's nearly eaten through the hutch door in one place) and Pooka has started hiding in the corner and hardly even coming out for food. We've tried contacting all the rescues in our area about trying to find them friends and the only one that can help hasn't responded to us at all

Should I try to reintroduce them so they're not so lonely, or is that too dangerous?

 

[Janice C]

Don't reintroduce them! Once they've drawn blood on each other they're hardly likely to bond again.
What are your other piggies - boars or sows?

 

[catcrunchies]

Don't reintroduce them! Once they've drawn blood on each other they're hardly likely to bond again.
What are your other piggies - boars or sows?

The other two are boars as well, but we can't try partner swapping because both Fandango and Pooka have had bloody fights with one of the others Can't get sows because they're not neutered and it would take months for us to be able to get that done

 

[Janice C]

My boars fell out big time and had to be separated into separate cages across from each other. They were then neutered and now each happily living with sows. Yes, it was a long lonely 6 weeks for them but worth it as they are now settled and very happy.
Obviously I don't know your set-up and whether you have the space to do it.

 

[Wiebke]

Just asking for some other opinions and advice on this one!

I had to split up two of my boys after finding very nasty bites on both of them. Because of the set-up we have, they're now living on top of each other and next door to our other two so they can chat. The problem is that they're both clearly unhappy being alone. Fandango has started chewing everything he can reach (he's nearly eaten through the hutch door in one place) and Pooka has started hiding in the corner and hardly even coming out for food. We've tried contacting all the rescues in our area about trying to find them friends and the only one that can help hasn't responded to us at all

Should I try to reintroduce them so they're not so lonely, or is that too dangerous?

Once you have got to nasty bites, boars will not go back together.

You may want to try the resuce that has not responded again. Rescue people do this usually in their free time and they are very busy people, especially when they have to hold down a job and have a family. If there is an emergency intake or illness that takes round the clock care, they may not be able to answer promptly. Most people imagine a big centre with a receptionist, but that is not the case...Just be persistent and contact the rescue more than one way!

Alternatively, you could consider neutering and pairing up with a sow each. You'd need to find either a general vet that is well practised in guinea pig neutering (often for a rescue) or an exotics vet with experience in small furries operations in order to minimise the risk of post-op complications.
You also have to factor in a full 6 weeks post-op wait. The little baby in my avatar is the unplanned legacy of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post-op neutered boar (not one of mine), just to prove the latter point. The 6 weeks cut-off point is now practised by all good standard UK guinea pig rescues, and despite several hundred of boars being neutered over a number of years, I have not hear of a pregnancy that late. I have however heard of more cases happening at over 5 weeks.
You'd still best take your boys rescue dating for sows; but there are currently lots of pregnant sows in various rescues in the wake of the big Gosport rescue earlier this summer, so it should not be too difficult to find a mate that is guaranteed properly sexed and not pregnant.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator

 

[catcrunchies]

My boars fell out big time and had to be separated into separate cages across from each other. They were then neutered and now each happily living with sows. Yes, it was a long lonely 6 weeks for them but worth it as they are now settled and very happy.
Obviously I don't know your set-up and whether you have the space to do it.

We've got the space, but not the money to get them neutered at the moment

 

[Janice C]

We've got the space, but not the money to get them neutered at the moment

Some Vets allow you to pay up your bills so could discuss this with your Vet.

 

[catcrunchies]

Once you have got to nasty bites, boars will not go back together.

You may want to try the resuce that has not responded again. Rescue people do this usually in their free time and they are very busy people, especially when they have to hold down a job and have a family. If there is an emergency intake or illness that takes round the clock care, they may not be able to answer promptly. Most people imagine a big centre with a receptionist, but that is not the case...Just be persistent and contact the rescue more than one way!

Alternatively, you could consider neutering and pairing up with a sow each. You'd need to find either a general vet that is well practised in guinea pig neutering (often for a rescue) or an exotics vet with experience in small furries operations in order to minimise the risk of post-op complications.
You also have to factor in a full 6 weeks post-op wait. The little baby in my avatar is the unplanned legacy of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post-op neutered boar (not one of mine), just to prove the latter point. The 6 weeks cut-off point is now practised by all good standard UK guinea pig rescues, and despite several hundred of boars being neutered over a number of years, I have not hear of a pregnancy that late. I have however heard of more cases happening at over 5 weeks.
You'd still best take your boys rescue dating for sows; but there are currently lots of pregnant sows in various rescues in the wake of the big Gosport rescue earlier this summer, so it should not be too difficult to find a mate that is guaranteed properly sexed and not pregnant.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator

We'll try the rescue again! I was worrying that I wasn't getting a response because I'd come across like a bad piggy owner, it's kind of a relief to know that that's probably not the case. Definitely won't risk putting them back together again.