Jemima
Junior Guinea Pig
Hello. Many of you will know that I have very recently adopted two boars. Pipsqueak (I think, as he is smaller) is younger than Papua - and I want to ask something because I am new to this and I have a tendency to love and worry about animals!
So the background is, the boars were part of a hoarder rescue. Little Pipsqueak was on his own after the rescue, but looked sad, so he was moved and paired with another, different boar, but that didn't go well and the other boar tore Pip's ear.
Then he was put with Papua. And the foster carer said she did notice some chasing behaviour, but not aggression. They were together around a week before I brought them home. So yes, they're bonding process was probably interrupted somewhat by yet another change of home!
Since having them here, I am noticing Papua (the larger boar) chases Pip - just because - and Pip runs away. They are mostly either one upstairs, and the other downstairs - mostly Pip up in the smaller loft area, and Pap down in his hidey, which he seems to have now claimed. I put this in yesterday because I didn't want to have any closed cuddle sacks in there. It's just a cardboard box!
Anyway, is the chasing normal? Pap just ran upstairs, and Pip ran down! Then Papua came down, back into his hide, and they are now munching on new hay. near each other, but not in the same place.
Will they always have this chasing relationship? I wonder if it will ever be loving? Is it all normal? Pap does the rumble strut too - and Pip just does many little short squeaking sounds. Is it OK that Pap is chasing Pip sometimes, and that they are mostly just eating and sitting away from each other? Is there an obvious point where the bonding process is formerly over, and everyone lives happily ever after?
Also, one more question - I have a wonderful XL run I want to put them in outside for more space and grass.
1. When is it warm enough to do this?
2. Assuming I should let them settle for a bit longer inside before changing things up again
3. What about floor time - how long should I wait to do this?
4. I have a 4x2 with a 2x2 loft extension - I know you recommend larger for boars, and I do hope to sneak in another grid when my husband is not looking!
So the background is, the boars were part of a hoarder rescue. Little Pipsqueak was on his own after the rescue, but looked sad, so he was moved and paired with another, different boar, but that didn't go well and the other boar tore Pip's ear.
Then he was put with Papua. And the foster carer said she did notice some chasing behaviour, but not aggression. They were together around a week before I brought them home. So yes, they're bonding process was probably interrupted somewhat by yet another change of home!
Since having them here, I am noticing Papua (the larger boar) chases Pip - just because - and Pip runs away. They are mostly either one upstairs, and the other downstairs - mostly Pip up in the smaller loft area, and Pap down in his hidey, which he seems to have now claimed. I put this in yesterday because I didn't want to have any closed cuddle sacks in there. It's just a cardboard box!
Anyway, is the chasing normal? Pap just ran upstairs, and Pip ran down! Then Papua came down, back into his hide, and they are now munching on new hay. near each other, but not in the same place.
Will they always have this chasing relationship? I wonder if it will ever be loving? Is it all normal? Pap does the rumble strut too - and Pip just does many little short squeaking sounds. Is it OK that Pap is chasing Pip sometimes, and that they are mostly just eating and sitting away from each other? Is there an obvious point where the bonding process is formerly over, and everyone lives happily ever after?
Also, one more question - I have a wonderful XL run I want to put them in outside for more space and grass.
1. When is it warm enough to do this?
2. Assuming I should let them settle for a bit longer inside before changing things up again
3. What about floor time - how long should I wait to do this?
4. I have a 4x2 with a 2x2 loft extension - I know you recommend larger for boars, and I do hope to sneak in another grid when my husband is not looking!