So desperate to get a new little pal!

[GeorgesHuman]

I have a solo piggie, George, who is 4 and quite a strong character. He's tame but often tries to show us that he's the boss and he must think he's about 10 foot tall the way he acts sometimes! Since we got him as a tiny baby he has lived alone and had no contact with other piggies, but since i've started working longer hours i've been thinking about getting him a playmate.

I originally thought of a baby boar, but as the baby grew up they might fight, so i'm now thinking of a neutered rescue sow, but my question is, if the sow came from a reputable rescue centre, would she have to sit in quarantine in a different room for a few weeks to make sure she doesn't contaminate my George and also, is it guaranteed that a boar and sow won't fight?

Thanks

 

[Hanwombat]

i doubt you'd find many neutered sows.

 

[PopcornPigs]

Hi as said above neutered sows are really rare They don't normally perform the operation unless there's medical reasons. Another option would be boar dating at a rescue so he can choose a man friend for himself. This would minimise the risk of them falling out, and most rescues are understanding if things don't work out.

 

[Wiebke]

There is only one rescue in the country that neuters any sows that come in as a matter of policy, RNGP Welfare in Rugby - you can try to contact them. They only neuter/spay during the warmer months of the year.

Spaying a sow is a much more invasive and risky operation than neutering a boar and it is usually done only on medical grounds, so spayed rescue sows are as rare as gold dust in the country and there is quite a waiting list I understand. http://www.rngp.org

Whether a sow will accept a boar depends; but you will usually know within the first 15-30 minutes. Not all sows will accept a boar, but you won't get any fall outs once he's been accepted.

Quarantine from a reputable rescue is not necessary; they make sure that any issues are cleared before putting a piggy up for rehoming, so in effect, the piggy will pass the quarantine in the rescue. I have never had any problems with the piggies I've rehomed from a good and dedicated rescue.
Quarantine is to be recommended with piggies from free ads or doubtful back grounds.

Have you thought about having a couple of younger piggies next to him, so he has still got company, but you do not have to worry about bonding problems?

PS: there are quite a few rescues who's had older coming in who'd been living on their own all their life and the bonded with a baby boar without trouble.

 

[lauralucy]

i agree with popcorn pigs good luck finding him a friend