Baby Boys With Dad

[EmJW]

My 4 babies are coming up 3 weeks now, and we managed to successfully sex 2 boys (we think the other two are girls but are going to keep checking on that just in case) so we've introduced them formally to dad, Patches. Everything went fine, patches is rumbling a little but not too much, but I was wondering if the babies need to be a little older before they move in together? They've been in patches' cage for about an hour now and no hiccups as of yet.

 

[Wiebke]

My 4 babies are coming up 3 weeks now, and we managed to successfully sex 2 boys (we think the other two are girls but are going to keep checking on that just in case) so we've introduced them formally to dad, Patches. Everything went fine, patches is rumbling a little but not too much, but I was wondering if the babies need to be a little older before they move in together? They've been in patches' cage for about an hour now and no hiccups as of yet.

Leave them with dad; boars are generally very good with babies and he is going to socialise and teach them.

There is a chance that there could be problems once the boys hit the big teenage hormones, but as long as you have got access to a good vet, you could consider having the odd-one-out boar neutered, so he can join mum and sisters after a full 6 weeks post op wait (I have a baby from a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post neutering op boar, just to make that point) and keeping the other two boars together, which will hopefully keep that bond stable.

 

[EmJW]

Is it likely that they'll end up an odd one out?
Are the girls likely to have an odd one out too, or will they be okay as a trio too?

 

[Wiebke]

Is it likely that they'll end up an odd one out?
Are the girls likely to have an odd one out too, or will they be okay as a trio too?

Sows are wired to live in usually related groups, so mum and her daughters will be perfectly fine; the dominance is very clear.

Boars go through a hormonal period between 4-14 months before they reach a more settled adulthood. Subadult boar trios have a very high fall-out rate, but it all depends very much on the individual character constellation and how dominant dad and his boys are. You are much more likely to end up with an outsider problem with the boys, either one of the boys playing rambo or two of them ganging up on third.
Please leave dad and his two boys together for as long as possible. By the time you run into trouble, even your two babies should be old enough for a snip and you will have a good idea which two boars are working out together and can be kept as a pair. Unlike with rabbits, neutering does not change boar behaviour, so it is only advisable where you want one to live with sows. Finding a good vet is crucial in minimising any risks.
I have several groups with a neutered boar-harem; they are usually very stable, especially if the freshly neutered boar can spend his recovery time right next to the girls with interaction through the bars. We have got several members who have gone down this route with unplanned single baby sons.

 

[EmJW]

Okay, I suppose finding another boar for the odd one is another option? Thank you, that's a great help

 

[PottyForPiggies]

You could always consider boar dating You've got The Potteries GPR in Stoke-on-Trent, RSPCA Walsall and Honeybunnies R&GPR in Leicester as your 3 closest Piggy Bank recommended rescues, the closest being around 30 miles away so not a big trek!
The rescues will offer full support for finding a friend and afterwards

 

[EmJW]

I think if it comes to it, we'll take that route first- gives another piggie a home then Thanks!