Adopting

[Ellie-May]

Hi everyone,

Hopefully, everyone is well and staying safe!

Apologies for not being active as much anymore! University was crazy and work has been even crazier these past couple of months. As some of you know I have four girls, but we have decided to expand our heard and are currently planning to adopt a boar. Due to the whole pandemic, it has been extremely hard to find any piggies anywhere, but thankfully I have been in contact with a local rescue of mine who has just received a couple of boars who all came in singly. Nothing is set in stone yet as we are still in talks, but if all goes well it won't be a while until we are able to adopt him as he will need to be neutered. The one we are looking at is 1 year old so he is a little older than the girls, but not much.

I was just wondering if anyone has any advice who may have done the same thing? Any tips and advice? What to expect?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

Hopefully, everyone is well and staying safe!

Apologies for not being active as much anymore! University was crazy and work has been even crazier these past couple of months. As some of you know I have four girls, but we have decided to expand our heard and are currently planning to adopt a boar. Due to the whole pandemic, it has been extremely hard to find any piggies anywhere, but thankfully I have been in contact with a local rescue of mine who has just received a couple of boars who all came in singly. Nothing is set in stone yet as we are still in talks, but if all goes well it won't be a while until we are able to adopt him as he will need to be neutered. The one we are looking at is 1 year old so he is a little older than the girls, but not much.

I was just wondering if anyone has any advice who may have done the same thing? Any tips and advice? What to expect?

Hi!

It all depends on whether he and the top sow are getting on re. dominance.

Please be aware that every boar requires a 6 weeks post neutering op safety wait.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

You can keep a single boar alongside the sows as long as he can't get into the girl's pen, so a second-hand traditional cage for the boy would be safer. The several weeks wait will give your piggies time to get to know each other and your boy time to get used to the heady scent of sow pheromones in the hope that he won't go overboard quite as badly as when meeting them unprepared. It also up the chances of him being accepted by the gang. If you can't don't go by age but by personality and opt for the more submissive of the two boars.


See chapter group bondings and also have a look at group bondings and boar bondings.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[Bill & Ted]

I would say find a good vet who has a successful proven experience of boar neutering. I got my Ted neutered after he lost his brother Bill in March at the Cat and Rabbit Clinic, Northampton.
Ted is five. He is a dental piggie and goes to see Simon Maddock for conscious dentals. He is lodging with TEAS furryfriends atm but will be coming home now the lock down is easing and will then be bonded with his new wifelets Posh and Ginger. They seem to get on well, they have get for sofa time and no problems at all.
Good luck x

 

[Ellie-May]

I would say find a good vet who has a successful proven experience of boar neutering. I got my Ted neutered after he lost his brother Bill in March at the Cat and Rabbit Clinic, Northampton.
Ted is five. He is a dental piggie and goes to see Simon Maddock for conscious dentals. He is lodging with TEAS furryfriends atm but will be coming home now the lock down is easing and will then be bonded with his new wifelets Posh and Ginger. They seem to get on well, they have get for sofa time and no problems at all.
Good luck x

I don’t know if I made it clear in my post but we won’t actually be adopting him until he has had his neutering done and after that it’s 6-8 weeks because he may still be able to produce a little. I am adopting him from Essex Guinea pig, Rat & Rabbit rescue and they were lovely there.

With everything that is going on we can’t actually see him at the moment but I’m hoping once he has had his operation etc we can have some bonding session with him and the girls. All the girls get on well and the alpha big (Erma) is very relaxed. They all have their moments when they are on heat, but it is more playful than anything. Because they are all teenagers hormones have spiked now and again but overall I can’t fault anything.