2 Boars.....it's Complicated :/

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Elliegirl

Elliegirl

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I foster guinea pigs for a rescue and last November 4 boars came to me. They had been kept as a group of SIX UN-NEUTERED boys. The owner had been told this would be fine and they were until hormones appeared in the mix. The top pig came in unmarked, 2 came in with scabs around their back ends but not too bad and then there was Harry.....he weighed a sad 720g and was more scab than skin on his back half. After some tlc and lots of vet trips he's now a much healthier weight, his hair has all grown back and he has shown to me what a fantastic character he has. Needless to say he's staying here for life :)
Gus was one of the middle pigs who had been bullied but was in a state no where near as bad as Harry and he is very similar in character to Harry. They were neutered 6 weeks ago and have been able to see/smell/ hear each other but have had no contact.
I'd like to try to get them to bond together, I'm interested to know peoples thoughts on my chances.
I have a ferplast 160 which has been empty for months which I was going to use to introduce them in so it's neutral and will use all the usual tips and tricks but this is the first time I've done 2 boars not a boar and a sow. Is it worth a go? Any thoughts welcome. TY :)
 
Elliegirl said:
I foster guinea pigs for a rescue and last November 4 boars came to me. They had been kept as a group of SIX UN-NEUTERED boys. The owner had been told this would be fine and they were until hormones appeared in the mix. The top pig came in unmarked, 2 came in with scabs around their back ends but not too bad and then there was Harry.....he weighed a sad 720g and was more scab than skin on his back half. After some tlc and lots of vet trips he's now a much healthier weight, his hair has all grown back and he has shown to me what a fantastic character he has. Needless to say he's staying here for life :)
Gus was one of the middle pigs who had been bullied but was in a state no where near as bad as Harry and he is very similar in character to Harry. They were neutered 6 weeks ago and have been able to see/smell/ hear each other but have had no contact.
I'd like to try to get them to bond together, I'm interested to know peoples thoughts on my chances.
I have a ferplast 160 which has been empty for months which I was going to use to introduce them in so it's neutral and will use all the usual tips and tricks but this is the first time I've done 2 boars not a boar and a sow. Is it worth a go? Any thoughts welcome. TY :)
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

When bonding guinea pigs, all you can do is give it a try and see whether it works out. In the end, it comes down to whether the guinea pigs involved like each other and get on. There is no trick in the world that can force two piggies that that don't get on to live happily together. It really is as simple and as as complicated as that! For all their social needs, guinea pigs are very complex personalities. There is always the piggy that tears up the rulebook!

However, you may find that a badly bullied boy will never be happy with other boars as he is too afraid, but as they are neutered, you have the option to try and introduce them to a sow or two after a 6 weeks post-op wait if a bonding doesn't work out. My own experience with bonding piggies is that it always pays to have a plan B or even a plan C at the ready, especially when you can't rescue date your piggy as to character compatibility!

All the best!
 
Well done for giving these piggies such a good chance at a new and happy life!
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

When bonding guinea pigs, all you can do is give it a try and see whether it works out. In the end, it comes down to whether the guinea pigs involved like each other and get on. There is no trick in the world that can force two piggies that that don't get on to live happily together. It really is as simple and as as complicated as that! For all their social needs, guinea pigs are very complex personalities. There is always the piggy that tears up the rulebook!

However, you may find that a badly bullied boy will never be happy with other boars as he is too afraid, but as they are neutered, you have the option to try and introduce them to a sow or two after a 6 weeks post-op wait if a bonding doesn't work out. My own experience with bonding piggies is that it always pays to have a plan B or even a plan C at the ready, especially when you can't rescue date your piggy as to character compatibility!

All the best!
Click to expand...
Thank you! That's pretty much what I thought but always worth asking in case there's a trick I'm missing. xx
 
Yea as you have had them neutered it would be a good option, don't think you have to neuter boys for male bonding just for female bonding :)
 
It's rescue policy to neuter all boys, we have a glut of boys, no girls currently so it's a boy or wait. If Gus is a no will wait for a girl. They are just so well matched in personality, it's just of they think they are!
 
That's fair enough, it's a good thing as there are way too many breeding! Hope all goes well for them!
 
Gus and Harry appear to like each other. After all the usual vocalising and chasing each other about they flopped down next to each other to share some parsley! Fingers crossed it seems to be working :)
 
They are still organising who is in charge but in a non aggressive, mostly verbal way. Happily eating and sleeping together. They have a ferplast 160 and lots of hidey holes so I'm leaving them to sort it out in their own time. Adoption forms completed, adoption fee paid they are now part of my clan of ten :) (various groups)
Meanwhile the last of the 4 we took in of the boars went to a fantastic home and 2 wives today :D
Sadly 2 more rescues came in yesterday so the care never ends but I wouldn't do anything else xx
 
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