When Should I Try Bonding Again?

[RachelE]

Boris (my avatar) is now 6 and a half months old. When he was 5 months I took him to Milhaven for a bonding session and we were really excited to come home with Frisbee, 4 months. However, Frisbee turned out to be rather vicious in his dominant behaviour and I had to separate them. Fris went back to Milhaven a week later. Boris had gone from his cheerful former self to a scared introverted, bullied, bitten piggy. He has returned to his former lovely self and he's happy, but he's on his own again. I know there was a higher than usual chance of the bonding not working because of their ages, but I'd love to try again so he can have a friend. Should I leave it till he's older? What would you recommend/do?

 

[Wiebke]

You could contact Milhaven and see whether she has a suitable, more laid back boar ready or in the pipeline(either adult or younger). Her rescue should be open for business again from next week.

Alternatively, you could consider that Boris is now old enough for neutering by one of our recommended vets on the top bar (or by one recommended by Milhaven). This would include another 6 weeks post op wait, but it will mean that you won't have to worry about bonding not working out.
If you rehome a bonded pair of sows for Boris, they could live alongside him until he is 100% safe to be introduced, but it would cheer him up and they have time to become friends though the bars long before the intro, which should be easier for that.

 

[VickiA]

It is often much easier to bond a neutered boar with sows than to bond two "whole boars" so Wiebkes suggestion is worth considering....

 

[RachelE]

You could contact Milhaven and see whether she has a suitable, more laid back boar ready or in the pipeline(either adult or younger). Her rescue should be open for business again from next week.

Alternatively, you could consider that Boris is now old enough for neutering by one of our recommended vets on the top bar (or by one recommended by Milhaven). This would include another 6 weeks post op wait, but it will mean that you won't have to worry about bonding not working out.
If you rehome a bonded pair of sows for Boris, they could live alongside him until he is 100% safe to be introduced, but it would cheer him up and they have time to become friends though the bars long before the intro, which should be easier for that.[/QUOTE
I wasn't sure about neutering but it gives him so many more options. Think I might look into it...