Boar Bonding - Some Questions

[PercyandCo]

Hi! A few months ago I adopted a 'free to good home' piggy (Percy). He was very nervous and hadn't been handled a whole lot, so I've taken a few months with him getting him tame. He's now a lot happier, so I have just picked up an eight week old boar and am hoping to bond them.

I've never bonded boars, so am a little apprehensive! I am planning on introducing them through cage bars first, and putting them together a few days later- assuming all goes well.

My main concern is that Percy was living alone in his previous home, and to my knowledge hasn't interacted with another pig since he was separated from his mum and sisters (presumably somewhere between 3 and 8 weeks old). Percy is now almost 1, so obviously that's quite a long time!
Is this likely to affect the bonding process? Is there anything I should do differently or look out for with this in mind?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! A few months ago I adopted a 'free to good home' piggy (Percy). He was very nervous and hadn't been handled a whole lot, so I've taken a few months with him getting him tame. He's now a lot happier, so I have just picked up an eight week old boar and am hoping to bond them.

I've never bonded boars, so am a little apprehensive! I am planning on introducing them through cage bars first, and putting them together a few days later- assuming all goes well.

My main concern is that Percy was living alone in his previous home, and to my knowledge hasn't interacted with another pig since he was separated from his mum and sisters (presumably somewhere between 3 and 8 weeks old). Percy is now almost 1, so obviously that's quite a long time!
Is this likely to affect the bonding process? Is there anything I should do differently or look out for with this in mind?

You are starting it right. Please be aware that once you have committed, you need to see a boar bonding through, so make sure that you have got a free day, ideally two when you can do so. Generally, it is best to take a guinea pig dating at a good rescue that offers this service, as that means that acceptance happens at the rescue and you come only home with a companion where this has happened. Not everybody has got the option to let the guinea pig choose their new friend, so you need to have a plan B at the ready if your boys don't click; ideally the option to keep them side by side with constant interaction through the bars.
Whether Percy loves piggy company or not you should see as he should react to his new neighbour. Some single boys are over the moon meeting another piggy and a very few will have no interest; however those are mostly piggies that have made a very close bond with a human during the formative first weeks.

Please take the time to read through our bonding threads before you start; we have tried our best to make them as clear as possible. You have to brace for some inevitable dominance and hanky panky and that it is going to be a somewhat nerve-racking experience. You are bound to hear quite a bit of submission squealing from the baby; they tend to be very vocal and dramatic. He won't be in pain! It is very rare that a baby is getting involved in an outright fight. Excessive humping is more of an issue, so providing an escape space can help (see tips in our guides). Not every baby clicks with every boar.
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.

Best of luck!

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