Boars living side by side

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boysmum

Hi,

Wondered what you all think of my situation. I have two boars who are not related and on the various occasions that I have had them together ie in a run, there has been a lot of chattering, rumble-strutting, nipping and all the signs of a fight brewing. I therefore had to re-think the housing situation as I could not trust them. They were both rescue boars and adults.

I now have them living side by side. They have a C&C run which is split down the middle by grids and they can interact without harming each other. They enjoy the company but the shyer one does like the security of his own terorrity without bully-boy harming him. At night, I have a double hutch ie separate hutches on top of the other. It's too cold to leave them in the run all night as it is in the shed.

I monitor them closely and they seem perfectly happy with this. It is the best I can do in this situation. THey can see, smell and hear each other all day. THey pop-corn away when they see each other then settle down to their own activities.

I've been reading the posts about pairing up boars etc and the problems encountered. My boyfriend's DIY skills were put to the test constructing the double run! Plus you have to buy two of everything! But it's worth it as you are giving them company but in a controlled manner.

I'll post a pic of the set-up.
 
what they're doing when you put them together is to be expected, they are establishing who is boss-pig, there has to be one and the only way of finding out involves alot of teethchattering, mounting, buttsniffing etc. if you really wanted to bond them you would have to continue putting them together on neutral ground and let them sort out their differences. the hutch would need to be scrubbed out to eliminate either's scent, rearrange everything in it so that it is also neutral ground. barmy4boars has a great website with very useful information on bonding boars: http://www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/home.htm good luck it would be great if they could live together (happily!) :)
 
I was just thinking exactly the same as Bunpig. All the boar pairings I have had the initial introduction stages were filled with the kind of behaviour you describe. It can be very unnerving and makes us want to whip them out of there and give up but persevere and you may just have sucess. Do it for short bursts of an hour or so for a few weeks, with a towel handy to seperate them if you are not happy with their behaviour... but dont take them out unless you really think they mean business. Then after these sessins put them back side by side. The novelty of bothering each other will hopefully wear off as soon as who is boss has been established.

That said if it doesn't work out then the side by side run you describe sounds lovely! And their sleeping arrangements will be fine if they are in the run side by side each day. Do think about cld weather though, there are many months in the year when it is too cold for piggys to be outdoors and they need to be inside or in a heated, insulated shed with light. Good luck!
 
Sometimes I wonder if we're too keen on making boars live together when they are possibly quite happy living side by side, but not with, another boar.

I'd like to see your set up if you have any pics as I have two single boars too :police:
 
It sounds as if your boars are quite happy as they are, and you and OH have obviously gone to a lot of trouble to get things set up nicely for them. :)

If you did want to bond them - or for anybody else reading this - I would recommend having them together on a lap for between 1/2 to 1 hour every day for a week, then try them again on neutral territory.

But if they are happy as they are, there is no need to change.
 
Thought I would clarify a few things.

The boys have been put together on a number of occasions, including lap time etc. Unfortunately one of them just goes for the other. He is a very dominant pig and nips the quieter one. I was observing them a few months ago and they both rose up on their back legs with mouths open. Oh no! Cue separation time. I've had male pigs for 10 years and have managed to successfully bond several pairs. However, I think these ones are a special case. Both are adults and one came from a bad breeder (long story) and i think he may have been used for breeding in the past.

I think it is a recipe for disaster if they were left to each other.

Their run is in a cosy shed with insulation on the walls and ceiling. They have heatpads, themal vetbed and lots of igloos stuffed with hay. In fact, when I say it is a run, it is really a large enclosure with solid walls.

I too have a soft spot for male guinea pigs. They are always the ones which are left and yes, they are a bit more troublesome than sows but with a bit of imagination, they can be given happy lives.
 
thanks for clarifying that. I know the type I have a piggy just like it. In answer to your original post then I think that your side by side run sounds ideal and your overnight arrangements are also ok as long as they can see and smell each other in the day which they can. Would love to see piccys of your set up.

Susie

Fellow boar lover! ;)
 
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