Bereaved boar - what to do next?

Blooberry

Blooberry

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Messages
268
Reaction score
143
Points
340
Location
Lancaster
I’ve read a number of the posts here and guidance on adding more piggies. My daughter has fallen in love with two young boars. We have a bereaved 2 year old boar who seems to be doing fine although we definitely want a piggy companion for him ASAP. I’ve read that it’s impossible to bond a trio of boars but could we do a 2+1 in large divided c&c? The local rescue are great but have not offered dating option and have been slow with our rehoming request - Xmas down time I guess. My daughter is keen on the 2 young boars. Really don’t know what to do for the best and feel very cautious .....although concerned about our lonely boy.
 
You could do 2 and 1 divided by bars. But it would probably be better if he had his own suitable friend. I'm sure the rescue should get back to you after Christmas, I would ask about boar dating to find a suitable friend. Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Thank you - the rescue are pretty adamant that bonding (especially boars) rarely works! It’s a minefield.
 
Blooberry said:
I’ve read a number of the posts here and guidance on adding more piggies. My daughter has fallen in love with two young boars. We have a bereaved 2 year old boar who seems to be doing fine although we definitely want a piggy companion for him ASAP. I’ve read that it’s impossible to bond a trio of boars but could we do a 2+1 in large divided c&c? The local rescue are great but have not offered dating option and have been slow with our rehoming request - Xmas down time I guess. My daughter is keen on the 2 young boars. Really don’t know what to do for the best and feel very cautious .....although concerned about our lonely boy.
Click to expand...

Hi! I am very sorry about your loss.

The more sub-adults in a boar trio, the higher fall-out rate in them once the babies reach the teenage months.

Trios are one of the most difficult combinations to get right in and shape and form in the first place because they are very prone to fall-outs.
These kinds of constellation usually result in one boar making war on the others or two ganging up on the third. If you are really unlucky and you have three dominant boys, you can end up with three singles - the risk of that is about as high your chance of having a trio of laid-back boys that make it together.

If the rescue is allowing to you to bring your boar for dating, you can of course let your boy have a say in which boy he is getting along with and allow him to find his own new friend.

Here is the list of rescues we can guarantee that you are in safe hands: Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

Most rescues are closed over the Christmas period to prevent impulse adopting without due consideration in order to not contribute to the big post-Christmas pet dump.
 
Blooberry said:
Thank you - the rescue are pretty adamant that bonding (especially boars) rarely works! It’s a minefield.
Click to expand...
I have bonded multiple boars into pairs and I can assure you it does work. The key is mutual liking and space, lots of space. If you go to one of the recommended rescues they will be able to help you.
 
Bonding with one other boar into a pair is quite possible if they decide they like each other. We have done it many times in our rescue. Bonding one boar into an existing pair is territory where only the extremely brave, foolish or very experienced boar bonders dare to tread. I really wouldn’t recommend it.
 
I think it’s great that you are considering your bereaved boar’s needs. He’s lucky to be with you.

I have sows so have avoided the headaches of boar bonding.
Sounds as if boar dating after Christmas would be a good option for your lone boy.
If you decide to give the new boys a home as an already bonded pair then they will be very lucky piggies.
 
Goof news - we adopted a 5mth old boar a few weeks ago and have bonded him with our 2yr old cinnamon. So far so good although I’m aware of hormonal spikes to come.
Cinnamon is such a gentle soul but seems energised by his younger companion. My only concern is about feeding - making sure that they both get the right nutrition they need. They have separate bowls and water bottles and space although we will be upgrading soon to a bigger c&c. Is there anything else I need to be considering or keeping on my radar? New boy (haven’t quite decided on a name yet) was such a happy piggy from day one - no nerves at all - running and popcorning in his own space chatting to cinnamon side by side. Cinnamon seems happier - couldn’t love him more.
 

Attachments

  • F34AA45F-19A7-4CAB-B058-D705CAA7DBE0.webp
    F34AA45F-19A7-4CAB-B058-D705CAA7DBE0.webp
    60.6 KB · Views: 3
  • 12EBFC86-6549-4A9E-88BC-8B35811942EA.webp
    12EBFC86-6549-4A9E-88BC-8B35811942EA.webp
    42.6 KB · Views: 3
Aw, this is great news, love it when a lone or bereaved piggie get a companion, those pigtures warm my heart x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top