Boar Dating Advice

[TheAurora]

So, since Marmalade passed and piggyfan kindly explained to me what boar dating is, I've been looking around at a few rescue sites.

Freddie seems to be doing okay but it's in the back of my mind he might need a friend.

However, looking at the sites I notice most male guinea pigs are looking for FEMALE companions.

Why is this? And is it difficult to find male guinea pigs new male friends?

Up until last Weds, Freddie has spent his whole life (five and a bit years) with his brother Marmalade. I don't think he's ever had 'the op' (I gave them a forever home when a lady I knew had bought Freddie and Marmalade for her little girl who got bored of them).

 

[Wiebke]

Full or residential boar dating requires a lot of experience and time - and that is something that not every rescue can offer, especially not one that is run by volunteers in their spare time. It is always worth contacting rescues within your reach to ask them whether they would bond your bereaved boar. Quite a number of non-RSPCA rescues actually do, even if the they don't specifically advertise it.
Because their single rescue boars have a much better chance at finding a home and company as well as neutering ops having become generally a safer and less risky operation, many rescues have now switched to a neutering policy. Cross gender bondings are the most stable of piggy bonds, so the safest bet for rescues that have not got the expertise to bond at the rescue.
Here is a thread that shows you what full boar dating implies and why it is that not every rescue can afford it: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boar-dating-service-wales.59233/

There can be a problem when you have got an older bereaved boar in an area where no rescue offers boar bonding, as spayed sows are unfortunately very rare and the only rescue in the whole country with a neutering AND spaying policy has sadly closed down at the beginning of this year. Where are you roughly located?

A baby or hormonal teenage boar can be a bit too boisterous for an elderly boar, and finding another laid back single old boar is also not easy (although older boars are generally more easily to bond as they are much less hormonal). You could look at next door company in the shape of a couple of sows or younger boars if there is no other option open. Even the stimulation through the bars will give your boy a new lease on life.

 

[TheAurora]

Full or residential boar dating requires a lot of experience and time - and that is something that not every rescue can offer, especially not one that is run by volunteers in their spare time. It is always worth contacting rescues within your reach to ask them whether they would bond your bereaved boar. Quite a number of non-RSPCA rescues actually do, even if the they don't specifically advertise it.
Because their single rescue boars have a much better chance at finding a home and company as well as neutering ops having become generally a safer and less risky operation, many rescues have now switched to a neutering policy. Cross gender bondings are the most stable of piggy bonds, so the safest bet for rescues that have not got the expertise to bond at the rescue.
Here is a thread that shows you what full boar dating implies and why it is that not every rescue can afford it: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boar-dating-service-wales.59233/

There can be a problem when you have got an older bereaved boar in an area where no rescue offers boar bonding, as spayed sows are unfortunately very rare and the only rescue in the whole country with a neutering AND spaying policy has sadly closed down at the beginning of this year. Where are you roughly located?

A baby or hormonal teenage boar can be a bit too boisterous for an elderly boar, and finding another laid back single old boar is also not easy (although older boars are generally more easily to bond as they are much less hormonal). You could look at next door company in the shape of a couple of sows or younger boars if there is no other option open. Even the stimulation through the bars will give your boy a new lease on life.

There's a lot to think about here - and many points I hadn't even considered.

I'll have to see how things go and have a good think and do some research.

Thank you.

 

[TheAurora]

P.s... I'm in Lincolnshire but happy to travel!

 

[pip]

Hi, I have a female piggy on her own and I phoned Honeybunnies (they are on facebook). When I phone them again, they will come to my house and take Pip away and introduce her to a mate. They have females and castrated boars. They will see who Pip chooses and let them get along before returning Pip and her new companion back home. It is a good service (I think) as I could take Pip myself and I would be there for about 2 hours for her to be introduced to a piggy. This would have to carry on at home but I am affraid I might muck something up, which is why I will let them collect and deliver. The cost is a donation and they say it is just to cover vets costs for the boar treatment. I think it a great service and I had a very nice chat to them on the phone. They know what they are doing and are very helpfull. They are based in Leicestershire and have volunteers and foster homes scattered around. They might have someone near you.
I hope this helps.