Young boar trouble, 3 now a 2 and 1.

[Lucy Roper]

Hi guinea people, I need some help. I recently got a trio of baby boars, I now have learned this was not a great plan but the breader said with space they should be fine. However, 2 of them have dominant personalities and 1 of the more dominant of the boars has had to be separated after a tussle. They had been rumblestrutting and chasing for a week or so, but they ended up with 1 boar teeth chattering and yawning which resulted in a tussle where I separated the more cross boar off. The remaining boar gets on well with the placid 3rd boar and they are all now settled.

My question is how to I move forwards from here? I have a set up in the shed and outdoor runs. The shed set up is 4 x 6 ft with a 2 tier hutch at one end which was open for them to hop in and out of. The separated boar now lives in the hutch and interacts, occasionally rumblestruts through the bars, but chooses to be close to the other 2.

I have the capacity to increase the floor space making 2 separate pens 4 x 5ft each. Do you think I could introduce another older/rescue pig as a companion for the single one? They could live side by side in 2 pens but be 2 pairs? Or maybe leave the single boar as a single but next to the other 2. They are 4 months old.

I'm apprehensive to rehome as it's my fault they're in this situation and I want to do my best to make them all happy.

I have 2 outdoor runs 1 4x4 ft and the other 4x8ft for them to go on the grass seperatly, multiple hideouts bowls etc.

I will try to attach a photo of set up and I live in South Devon. Apologies for the long post, any advice appreciated.

Lucy x

 

[Siikibam]

If you have enough space then I would consider bonding the single boar. Just bear in mind they’re just starting their teenage months. The best way to find him a friend would be to take him to a rescue that does boar dating. Then he can pick out his own friend. In the meantime if he can interact with them then that’s okay for now. Email the rescues nearby (and a little further out) and let them know you’re looking for a friend for him.

I’m sorry you were misled by the breeder. Unfortunately they don’t necessarily have experience of bonding stable pairs.

we’d love to see more photos of your three. Quick question do the pair live in the shed run permanently and the single lives in the hutch?
Rescue Locator

 

[Lucy Roper]

If you have enough space then I would consider bonding the single boar. Just bear in mind they’re just starting their teenage months. The best way to find him a friend would be to take him to a rescue that does boar dating. Then he can pick out his own friend. In the meantime if he can interact with them then that’s okay for now. Email the rescues nearby (and a little further out) and let them know you’re looking for a friend for him.

I’m sorry yo

If you have enough space then I would consider bonding the single boar. Just bear in mind they’re just starting their teenage months. The best way to find him a friend would be to take him to a rescue that does boar dating. Then he can pick out his own friend. In the meantime if he can interact with them then that’s okay for now. Email the rescues nearby (and a little further out) and let them know you’re looking for a friend for him.

I’m sorry you were misled by the breeder. Unfortunately they don’t necessarily have experience of bonding stable pairs.

we’d love to see more photos of your three. Quick question do the pair live in the shed run permanently and the single lives in the hutch?
Rescue Locator

Hi, thank you for your reply. Yes the duo live in the attached run in the shed and the single in the 2 tier hutch. We have ordered a new shed to store shed things in so I'm planning on ordering some C and C to make 2 separate large pens on 1 level in my husband's old shed!
On dry days they all get transported to the garden runs in a cat box, they have learnt to jump in which is good.

We have a development in that I think the little placid pig is actually a pregnant sow, she is part of the duo. It only registered today and they are actually only 11 and a half weeks old after I carefully worked it out. Lockdown has been a blur! She is noticeably larger and weighs 100g more than the other 2, I have also never seen any rumblestrutting/humping/chasing like i have from the other 2. I will book a vet check on Monday. This is a disaster!

 

[Lucy Roper]

Pictures of 2, the white Himalayan is the suspect sow

 

[Bill & Ted]

Pictures of 2, the white Himalayan is the suspect sow

Are you thinking that your Himalayan piggie in the photo may be female and this one was part of your pair? Then you have a separate single piggie?

 

[Lucy Roper]

Are you thinking that your Himalayan piggie in the photo may be female and this one was part of your pair? Then you have a separate single piggie?

Yes that's right, she is with a boar, the other brown piggie in the photo is now the single. I'm frantically reading pregnancy info

 

[alpacasqueak]

Yes that's right, she is with a boar, the other brown piggie in the photo is now the single. I'm frantically reading pregnancy info

You need to remove the female straight away if she is living with a male!

 

[Lucy Roper]

You need to remove the female straight away if she is living with a male!

Thank you fir replyjng, I've just read that. Do you think she will be ok in the upper tier of the hutch. She won't be able to see the other 2 but will be with them. I will get on with building separate same level pens as soon as the new shed arrives.

 

[Siikibam]

Oh dear! Please double check the sex of all of them.
Illustrated Sexing Guide
What makes you think she’s a sow and not a boar?

Ideally she does need to have some interaction with them. Not seeing them could be difficult as she would sort of be alone. But if that’s what you have to do then that’s what you have to do.

You can also post clear photos of the genitals and get some help. But hands on is still the best way to sex them. Look for a penis ridge above the slit (boar) or a fleshy seal just inside the slit (sow). I suggest you start a thread in the Pregnancy section. Our pregnancy experts can then see the thread and help you as needed.

PS it may not make a difference but once you’ve confirmed the sex and one is a girl, I would contact the breeder and let her know the mistake she made!

 

[Lucy Roper]

Oh dear! Please separate now and double check the sex of all of them.
Illustrated Sexing Guide
What makes you think she’s a sow and not a boar?

Ideally she does need to have some interaction with them. Not seeing them could be difficult as she would sort of be alone. But if that’s what you have to do then that’s what you have to do.

You can also post clear photos of the genitals and get some help. But hands on is still the best way to sex them. Look for a penis ridge above the slit (boar) or a fleshy seal just inside the slit (sow). I suggest you start a thread in the Pregnancy section. Our pregnancy experts can then see the thread and help you as needed.

It's a nightmare! I looked at the boys, I'm pretty sure they're boys but I was afraid to handle her too much. She was jumpy when I tired to put my hands on her side but it felt hard. I will separate them all and look carefully tomorrow. I'm wondering whether the boars will get on if she is removed? I'm currently looking to order C and C to make 3 pens. Will the boars be ok next to her a
separated off especially if there are babies?.

 

[Siikibam]

If they’re the ones that got into a tussle then possibly they wouldn’t get on.

If they’re all on one floor you have to make sure they can’t escape and get into her cage. I would make them 2-3 grids high just to be on the safe side. You’d be surprised how agile they can be if they smell a sow nearby! Sows also go into season a few hours after giving birth so the risk of a back to back pregnancy is very high.

 

[Lucy Roper]

If they’re the ones that got into a tussle then possibly they wouldn’t get on.

If they’re all on one floor you have to make sure they can’t escape and get into her cage. I would make them 2-3 grids high just to be on the safe side. You’d be surprised how agile they can be if they smell a sow nearby! Sows also go into season a few hours after giving birth so the risk of a back to back pregnancy is very high.

Thank you, I will put her in the hutch and put the 2 boars seperatly for now making sure they van interact but are secure. My husband is going to be busy. I'll get this sorted, what a pickle!

 

[Siikibam]

Thank you, I will put her in the hutch and put the 2 boars seperatly for now making sure they van interact but are secure. My husband is going to be busy. I'll get this sorted, what a pickle!

It’s not your fault. The breeder missexed and for some reason thought two boars and a sow would work!

 

[Lucy Roper]

It’s not your fault. The breeder missexed and for some reason thought two boars and a sow would work!

 

[alpacasqueak]

Sorry the breeder has left you in this situation! Hope you can get them all separated and secure without too much trouble! x

 

[Lucy Roper]

Good evening, after a dramatic 24 hours I have confirmed that my suspect pregnant sow is actually a boar. Well we are pretty sure as could feel testicles. This leaves me with a bonded pair of boars and a single following a recent fall out. They are 12 weeks old and I would like to find the single a companion.

Could he be paired with some neutered sows, or shall i neuter all 3 boys before adding sows, or just find a suitable boar?
Any advice appreciated.
I have 2 separate 4 x 6 pens in a shed.

Many thanks

 

[Piggylove82]

3 boars are not a good idea.

2 boars (neutered or not) and sows in the same shed will most likely cause a a fallout with your bonded boar pair.

I would day the best option would be a another boar. So you have two pairs of two boars

 

[VickiA]

I’ve merged your posts. Have you had the sexes checked and verified? If you would like to post photos of the external genitalia we can give you our view. Here is our sexing guide Illustrated Sexing Guide

 

[Siikibam]

How old are they again? I can’t remember if you said.

 

[Lucy Roper]

3 boars are not a good idea.

2 boars (neutered or not) and sows in the same shed will most likely cause a a fallout with your bonded boar pair.

I would day the best option would be a another boar. So you have two pairs of two boars

Thats what we thought, what age do you recommend. I would rather get him a friend sooner rather than later or is it better to wait until he is through the teenage phase. Many thanks x

 

[Piggylove82]

I think the teenage part can take a while!

 

[Lucy Roper]

How old are they again? I can’t remember if you said.

12 weeks

 

[Lucy Roper]

12 weeks

I’ve merged your posts. Have you had the sexes checked and verified? If you would like to post photos of the external genitalia we can give you our view. Here is our sexing guide Illustrated Sexing Guide

Hi Vicki, I believe the sex is correct, my sister in law is a vet nurse and helped. We believe we could feel testicles and he looked like the others. I'll attach pictures. We could also feel something above the band. I hope were right.

 

[Lucy Roper]

I think the teenage part can take a while!

I know that's why I think maybe it's better sooner rather than later. A rescue older piggie maybe? Or a rescue younger than him?

 

[Siikibam]

I know that's why I think maybe it's better sooner rather than later. A rescue older piggie maybe? Or a rescue younger than him?

The important thing is character compatibility and not age. Best bet is to go to a rescue that does boar dating and get him a friend that way. Email the rescues nearby (and not too far out) and let them know you’re looking for a friend for him.

Did you check for the penis ridge Above the slit or fleshy slew just inside the slit? At four months their testicles are just starting to descend so likely aren’t visible.

 

[Lucy Roper]

The important thing is character compatibility and not age. Best bet is to go to a rescue that does boar dating and get him a friend that way. Email the rescues nearby (and not too far out) and let them know you’re looking for a friend for him.

Did you check for the penis ridge Above the slit or fleshy slew just inside the slit? At four months their testicles are just starting to descend so likely aren’t visible.

Thank you. Yes we did I could feel the penis ridge above the ridge and the testicles could be palpated on both sides. It's very hard to tell but I watched some videos and read the pages on this wonderful site. I might pop him to the vets to make sure but my sister in law (vet nurse) was 99% x

 

[Siikibam]

Okay. At least it’s not a sow! but still being given three boars was a failure on the breeder’s part! So you’ve now got a pair and single? Is the pair okay?

We’d love pics of piggies, never can post too many

 

[Lucy Roper]

Okay. At least it’s not a sow! but still being given three boars was a failure on the breeder’s part! So you’ve now got a pair and single? Is the pair okay?

We’d love pics of piggies, never can post too many

I know, it's not an ideal situation. Yes the pair are friends. The little Himalayan is chilled so they get on. The single boar is still rumbling away through the bars but likes to be close. I'm going to try very hard to get him a companion. We have a temporary divide until my long suffering husband gets some more baton tomorrow to make a secure perimeter around the whole set up. They're all so funny we send hours watching them. I'll go and take some pictures

 

[Lucy Roper]

I know, it's not an ideal situation. Yes the pair are friends. The little Himalayan is chilled so they get on. The single boar is still rumbling away through the bars but likes to be close. I'm going to try very hard to get him a companion. We have a temporary divide until my long suffering husband gets some more baton tomorrow to make a secure perimeter around the whole set up. They're all so funny we send hours watching them. I'll go and take some pictures

 

[Siikibam]