Boar Bond Not a Match Can they still live side by side?

[Angela99]

Hi my Comet passed away a couple weeks ago and my Gabriel was very sad. I adopted a 6 month old and I tried to bond in neutral territory but it’s not a match. I have them in two large separate cages side by side but the 6 month old really wants to be with Gabriel in a super dominant way. Can they remain in their separate cages now after bonding didn’t work? Do I take him back? My apartment is small so cage set up cannot be adjusted. Alternatively I was thinking of adopting a baby but I feel responsible for the pig I just got. I’m a little overwhelmed and still mourning my Comet. He and his brother were so close. I appreciate your feedback!

Thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss and to hear the bonding didn’t work

Yes they absolutely can remain in separate but side by side cages after a failed bonding. That is one of the normal ways to manage a failed bond.

Any behaviours you see at the divider such as laying against it, rumbling along it etc are territory marking behaviours, not that they can or want to be together (for anything other than a fight).

I have two boys who fell out after 9 weeks together and they have now lived side by side for four years. Initially the territory dominance was quite a lot but it calmed down within a couple of weeks.

 

[Angela99]

I’m sorry for your loss and to hear the bonding didn’t work

Yes they absolutely can remain in separate but side by side cages after a failed bonding. That is one of the normal ways to manage a failed bond.

Any behaviours you see at the divider such as laying against it, rumbling along it etc are territory marking behaviours, not that they can or want to be together (for anything other than a fight).

I have two boys who fell out after 9 weeks together and they have now lived side by side for four years. Initially the territory dominance was quite a lot but it calmed down within a couple of weeks.

Thank you yes he was trying everything to get into the other cage! Now he calmed down. He also bit me a couple times so I have some concerns. He’s 5 months old … I’m trying to tame him and giving him lots of play area . I open up my house to him to get his energy out with tunnels toys and so on

 

[Angela99]

I’m sorry for your loss and to hear the bonding didn’t work

Yes they absolutely can remain in separate but side by side cages after a failed bonding. That is one of the normal ways to manage a failed bond.

Any behaviours you see at the divider such as laying against it, rumbling along it etc are territory marking behaviours, not that they can or want to be together (for anything other than a fight).

I have two boys who fell out after 9 weeks together and they have now lived side by side for four years. Initially the territory dominance was quite a lot but it calmed down within a couple of weeks.

 

[Betsy]

Biting is their way of letting you know they are scared and they want you to stop what you are doing My Saxon is a lovely confident boy except for when he's being handled. I've had a quite a few nips from him in the 10 months since I adopted him.

I always herd him into a snugglesack to pick him up as he feels safe rather than pick him up with my hands as that is scary for him. Every morning when we have cuddle time, I leave the snugglesack on my lap for him to return to when he's had enough cuddletime. This can be anything from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. He always has coriander after cuddletime which he inhales.

 

[Angela99]

Biting is their way of letting you know they are scared and they want you to stop what you are doing My Saxon is a lovely confident boy except for when he's being handled. I've had a quite a few nips from him in the 10 months since I adopted him.

I always herd him into a snugglesack to pick him up as he feels safe rather than pick him up with my hands as that is scary for him. Every morning when we have cuddle time, I leave the snugglesack on my lap for him to return to when he's had enough cuddletime. This can be anything from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. He always has coriander after cuddletime which he inhales.

Thank you I know he’s still getting to know me. I’m doing play time with him crawling on the floor letting him run around me and he’s feeling more relaxed!