Tips on introducing boars.
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gogoguineas
Adult Guinea Pig
Always introduce them on neutral territory, like the living room floor for example. Never put the newbie straight into the cage. Also ensure that you're cage or hutch is completely clean and fresh for the both of them when you're happy for them to go in, this way it smells neutral to both. I would advise setting up an area where you can set them down and watch how they interact. Feel free to leave them as long as you like to see how they get on. But be aware if you sepertae them and do the same procedure another time you will start from square one. Make sure there are some hidey places but with double exits so no one can get trapped by the other. Hay and veggies are great distractions! As your boar is about to hit the height of his hormonal 'teenage' phase (which lasts anything from 12 weeks to 15 months) you will probably see a lot of dominance behaviour. One pig will always need to be the alpha pig so sometimes it can take a while for them to settle into who's who. Normal behaviour can range from chasing, humping, rumble strutting, nipping, nose butting and rearing up on hind legs and teeth chattering. If this happens try not to worry, it can look scary for us but it's normal behaviour for them and something they have to work through so try to leave them be if you see this kind of thing. You may also hear a king of squealing when they chase each other or hump each other but don't worry its not pain its a submissive squeal, unless they sink they're teeth in they're unlikely to harm each other doing this!
I always say only seperate if there is blood shed or one pig is obviously being bullied like being stopped from eating or drinking.
Some people like to bath their piggies together too as this way they smell the same but also the experience (which they rarely enjoy) 'bonds' them too.
Always ensure there are two of everything to start with until it becomes apparent they may share. Two food bowls, water bottles, beds, chew tubes etc. I have two pairs of boys, one pair share everything and the other pair won't, that's boars for you rolleyes.
Are you going to a rescue or shop? With a rescue you may be able to take your boar with you to choose his own friend. Also, with a rescue you can be sure that the pig is healthy, sexed correctly and has been quarantined. With a shop you can't always be sure what you are getting so if this IS the case it might be a good idea to think about them living side by side for few weeks then doing the introduction so you can have observed the newbie and be sure he is 100% healthy.
Hope that helps and best of luck!
I always say only seperate if there is blood shed or one pig is obviously being bullied like being stopped from eating or drinking.
Some people like to bath their piggies together too as this way they smell the same but also the experience (which they rarely enjoy) 'bonds' them too.
Always ensure there are two of everything to start with until it becomes apparent they may share. Two food bowls, water bottles, beds, chew tubes etc. I have two pairs of boys, one pair share everything and the other pair won't, that's boars for you rolleyes.
Are you going to a rescue or shop? With a rescue you may be able to take your boar with you to choose his own friend. Also, with a rescue you can be sure that the pig is healthy, sexed correctly and has been quarantined. With a shop you can't always be sure what you are getting so if this IS the case it might be a good idea to think about them living side by side for few weeks then doing the introduction so you can have observed the newbie and be sure he is 100% healthy.
Hope that helps and best of luck!
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