'Unsound' Boar Precipitated Predicted Parting! Housing Needed!

[Guinea-pigGaga]

Good evening all! I do apologise for not visiting the forum recently. However, I have been preoccupied with college, one's personal life and voluntary commitments. Nevertheless, I do hope I can rely on yourselves for support.

Firstly, I am sure a small amount of you would like to know how my rescued boar pup has matured. I am pleased to reveal that 'Devlin' (I am unsure if he shall be keeping the name) is thriving. The first four to five weeks caused great concern, and even my veterinary surgeon voiced their worries and delivered a somewhat negative prognosis. Nevertheless, Devlin has began to grow and 'fill out'. Therefore, even though it is plausible that Devlin may have underlying health issues, there are no concerns at present and we are simply enjoying been owned by this charming cavy.

On the other hand, my Mother's boars began fighting last week and we were required to separate them. Unfortunately, attempts to bond them again have failed miserably. However, having observed their relationship since my Mother adopted the pair, we did predict that this would occur. Therefore, the aggressor will remain as a solitary, indoor boar and my Mother and I will be attempting to bond her older boar and Devlin (who will remain indoors for the winter at the very least).

All the same, we are short on housing. Unfortunately, we are not in a financially comfortable position to afford housing for the three boars at present. However, I have to stress that ordinarily money is not an issue. Nevertheless, my Mother and I are waiting on greatly delayed funds.

Therefore, I was hoping that someone would be able to suggest where I would be able to obtain cheap housing. Thank you, and I hope that yourselves and your cavies are well.

 

[Wiebke]

I am sorry that your mother's boars have fallen out. If you can, please do keep them where they can hear each other; it is importnat for the lonely boar.

For cheap cages, try preloved or ebay or similar places for second hand cages.

 

[sophiew (EAGPR)]

Hello again

Freecycle is often good for people, I've had a few cages and runs from their - there should be a group local to you if you Google for it.

Depending on your current cage size, might it be possible to split on with wire mesh so the 2 can still see / hear each other in the meantime?

Glad the little one is doing well

Sophie
x

 

[Guinea-pigGaga]

I am sorry that your mother's boars have fallen out. If you can, please do keep them where they can hear each other; it is importnat for the lonely boar.

Unfortunately, this is not possible, Wiebke. My Mother's two boars not only become aggressive when in contact, however, both have become aggressive on hearing, seeing and smelling/ tasting one another. Nevertheless, we are housing the boars next to my boar, Devlin, throughout the day so that they each have some companionship.

For cheap cages, try preloved or ebay or similar places for second hand cages.

Thank you for the above suggestions, Wiebke. I have been visiting 'ebay' for the past several nights (and I got my last cage from the website). However, they all appear to be so expensive. On the other hand, I have not visit 'Preloved'.

Hello again

Freecycle is often good for people, I've had a few cages and runs from their - there should be a group local to you if you Google for it.

Depending on your current cage size, might it be possible to split on with wire mesh so the 2 can still see / hear each other in the meantime?

Glad the little one is doing well

Sophie
x

Hello Sophie! I have just joined 'Freecycle' tonight, and I am hoping a cage or hutch will be offered soon (I really like the concept). Unfortunately, due to wanting to constantly fight, and concerns that they would damage themselves attempting to get to one another, my Mother and I simply cannot place the boars near one enough. Thank you for your reply, Sophie.

 

[Toffee4ever]

It may be helpful to give the county where you live as a forum member near you may be able to help.

 

[Guinea-pigGaga]

I do apologise, I thought I had included this information on my profile. Nevertheless, I am reside in the Middlesex county; more precisely, I am located in the Ashford/ Bedfont/ Feltham/ Hounslow/ Staines.....etc.....area. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Toffee4Ever.

 

[Spishkey]

as a temporary solution nip down to your wilkinsons or other hardware store and buy a couple of big laundry/washbaskets (you can get big ones for just a couple of pounds, some places do offers of 2 for x amount) add sawdust hay food bowl water bowl and piggy and place the other basket on top (upside down) for a makeshift cage. it works and is very effective (you can cable tie the two together so piggy definatly cant escape but you'll have to replace the ties everytime you open it, or cut a hole in the top basket for easy access) i must stress this is no long term solution but fine for short term until you get another cage/hutch sorted. word of advice...in two weeks the sales usually start so you may get a new cage for the price of a second hand/ebay one!

 

[Guinea-pigGaga]

Thank you for the suggestion, Spishkey. However, I am pleased to report that we shall be receiving a brand new 5ft x 2ft x 2ft single hutch, for my Mother's older boar and Devlin to share, after placing the winning bid on an ‘ebay’ auction yesterday evening. Furthermore, I am even more pleased to report that my Mother's older boar and Devlin have bonded really well. Nevertheless, my Mother and I are considering purchasing a larger hutch at a later date for the pair.

On the other hand, unfortunately, after much consideration, it has been decided that my Mother's other boar will remain a solitary boar and will be completely separated from our other cavies.

 

[Lisajazz]

Hiya. So pleased you have your cage sorted and the two boars have bonded.

I am not so sure however that leaving the other boar in isolation is a good idea. I am sure you could do better and kinder by him in giving him limited access to the other 2 (although I believe they wont even sniff each other without aggressive behaviour) or finding him a boar friend he can bond with himself or offering him to a rescue who could do this for him thereby giving him a quality of life as guinea pigs on their own don't do as well as in pairs or herds.

I know there are exceptions to this rule, I am basing my point on any time I have had to leave a guinea on their own. It's been a painful process as they don't act 'normally'.

Nice to have you back anyway and I love the name Devlin.

Got any photographs we could see of him?

 

[Guinea-pigGaga]

Thank you for your reply, Lisajazz. However, I believe my Mother's youngest boar is the 'exception to the rule'.

My Mother's older boar is affectionate, patient, playful and sociable, as well as being emotionally, mentally and physically sound. On the other hand, my Mother's younger boar is aggressive, antisocial, boisterous, indifferent, constantly aroused and highly dominant. In addition to being, emotionally, mentally and physically unsound. It is like having a 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'.

Therefore, we have decided to completely separate my Mother's younger boar from my Mother's older boar and Devlin to ensure that his presence does not cause conflict between my Mother's older boar and Devlin.

However, we realise that my Mother's younger boar is experiencing adolescence. Therefore, we will consider finding a companion for him in the future if his behaviour becomes somewhat milder. Although, his behaviour appears to worsen daily. In addition, my younger brother is very fond of my Mother's younger boar (I believe my Mother's younger boar reminds my younger brother somewhat of his previous cavy.....and my younger brother is very proud of the fact that he named my Mother’s younger boar). Therefore, my younger brother has expressed an interest in housing my Mother’s younger boar in his room. As a result, my Mother's younger boar would receive constant attention - May I point out, at this stage, that my younger brother is nineteen years of age.

Nevertheless, I will attempt to post some photographs of Devlin tomorrow and, perhaps, my Mother's boars.

Once again, thank you all for your replies.

P.S. It is likely Devlin will be keeping his name due to the fact that I cannot think of another name I like. I am pleased you like the name Lisajazz - Devlin says: 'Thank you'!