Boars & Sows - Living Arrangements

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Lessie

Lessie

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Hi,

Wasn't sure where to post this, so I apologise if this is not the appropiate place.

I can't seem to find enough information regarding living arrangements for g.pigs so I thought it's best to ask you all.

I am aware and understand boars should not live near or with a sow or sows as they will fight. But is it possible for boars and sows live separately in the same room?

As I can't find information based on - how far they should be away from sows? I.e another room - downstairs - or does this entirely depend on their personality?

Is it ever possible for two different groups live close together. (I,e, a boar with few sows living close with another group that has a boar with few sows too?)

Sorry if this doesn't make any sense!

It's such a shame, as there's so many boars looking for homes and it would certainly make our lives so much easier if all boars get on without any conflicts!

Lessie
 
Lessie said:
Hi,

Wasn't sure where to post this, so I apologise if this is not the appropiate place.

I can't seem to find enough information regarding living arrangements for g.pigs so I thought it's best to ask you all.

I am aware and understand boars should not live near or with a sow or sows as they will fight. But is it possible for boars and sows live separately in the same room?

As I can't find information based on - how far they should be away from sows? I.e another room - downstairs - or does this entirely depend on their personality?

Is it ever possible for two different groups live close together. (I,e, a boar with few sows living close with another group that has a boar with few sows too?)

Sorry if this doesn't make any sense!

It's such a shame, as there's so many boars looking for homes and it would certainly make our lives so much easier if all boars get on without any conflicts!

Lessie
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Didn't want to to read and run, will try and find someone who may know the answer. As far as I am aware they can't live near each other. I would imagine different rooms is fine. Hoping someone with some experience may be along soon.
 
Hi, They can live in the same room. I have a lot of piggies and have a purpose built shed for them. I have several pairs of boars plus a trio and some mixed groups consisting of a neutered boar plus sows.

If housing in cages on top of each other always house the boars at the top so no nice girly smelling bits of hay, etc can drop down into the boars cage. Always handle the boars first and dont put them in carriers, etc where sows have been.

I have mixed groups (neutered boar plus sows) living side by side seperated by mesh without any problems but my pairs of boys have solid walls between them and I have never had any problems with this arrangement

I agree it would be so much easier if boars got along without conflict but groups of boars are rare, although not unheard of :)
 
I have five boars and three sows (two sows and a neutered boar, spayed female and boar, and a pair of boars). Unusually mine all live side by side without a problem. Before I moved house my two boys lived in a different room to the rest of them but having less room now they all share a room. My boys are all pretty laid back though, they occasionally like to harras their neighbours but I've never had a fight between them. They pick on each other just as much as they used to - a love hate relationship, lol. If I'd noticed an increased bullying, fighting or stress I would have moved them without question. But they get along the same. Sometimes I will find Fudge with his head poking over the top shrieking at his neighbours and generally being a nosey pig, but that's as interested as he gets. As for my boar/sow pairings they live happily next door to each other they like to bum wiggle and strut a bit when its cage clean but otherwise they mostly take no notice, they do also like to nick the neighbours hay, as of course it tastes better...

I think a lot of it comes down to personality, I'm not sure I'd be keen to keep them in such close proximity if the bonds were not as strong as they are though.
 
Full boars should preferably live out of line of sight (and reach of pheromones) of sows, either on the other of the room or otherwise preferably above sows because of the pheromones. In a pinch, they can live next door with an opaque divider.

How much protection you need depends on the age of the boars, the character and the quality of the bond they share. While some older laid back boars are not much bothered, others, especially young and/or dominant boars, will fight when a sow comes into season.
 
ank you for the replies massive help.

Silly question but I don't actually know. How do you recognise when a sow is in season? Do tgey do this throughout their lives regardless of age?

I'm in a dilemma as I completely fallen in live with a pair that one has had any interest in simply because of their appearance.

But they are boars - and my revolved lives in my bedroom.

Ps sorry for incorrect spellings - not easy using this smart phone!
 
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Lessie said:
ank you for the replies massive help.

Silly question but I don't actually know. How do you recognise when a sow is in season? Do tgey do this throughout their lives regardless of age?

I'm in a dilemma as I completely fallen in live with a pair that one has had any interest in simply because of their appearance.

But they are boars - and my revolved lives in my bedroom.

Ps sorry for incorrect spellings - not easy using this smart phone!
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Sows come into season about every 15-17 days until the rest of their lives, they can also become pregnant for as long as they live (the same with boars, who never lose the ability to make babies). Unfortunately, sows over 8 months old are increasingly at risk of severe complications, especailly during giving birth. Some boars can be VERY determined and inventive to get at sows, so ideally you have them physically separated at all times in a way that they simply cannot get at each other even if one manages to get out. Different levels can help a lot.
 
For the most part sows will come in and out of season without any obvious signs. More dominant sows will sometimes act like boars when they are in season, ie they will rumble-strutt and try to mount other pigs.

Boars will be attracted to sows whether they are in season or not but so long as they are seperated by solid barriers and sows are not housed above boars this should not cause problems. To be honest a pair of boars is more likely to be upset by hearing an other pair of boars rumble-strutting or having a bit of a tiff than by the proximity of sows.
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
To be honest a pair of boars is more likely to be upset by hearing an other pair of boars rumble-strutting or having a bit of a tiff than by the proximity of sows.
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Ah that's interesting.

Thank-you for your reply.

So communications with one another shouldn't cause too much of an issue too?

What about when they are in the run outside? Obviously they'd be separated but do they have to be out of sight too?

From what I've gathered so far - it seems doable which I am most surprised about. So we shall see.

Anything else I need to be aware of, please feel free to mention.
 
Being aware of other piggies in the same room shouldn't cause a problem so long as they can not get up close or the boars have access to where the sows have been, if boars come across bedding, etc where sows have been they will become very excited which could cause them to fall out with each other.

I would apply this to when they are outside too and keep them out of line of sight. Also keep the boars to one area of garden and the sows to another, again so the boars don't come across droppings, etc left by the girls on a previous day.

Having good sized and interesting accomodation will also help. If your piggies have room to run about in with houses, tunnels ,etc they won't be bored and therefore will be less inclined to focus on who the neigbours are and what they're doing.
 
That's great.

So really its all about being careful and preparation. Will do further research on this and making sure I am prepared to do this.

Would you say 4x2 C&C Grids is sufficient space for a pair of boar? (So that is 144cm x 72cm) Possibly with loft but may have to cover this as may be able to peek over the side.

Hmmmm..........! rolleyes
 
That size should be fine for most pairs of boys but obviously the bigger the better. Give them tunnels and houses as these provide interest for them ( sitting in, sitting on top of, running through, head shoving ...) and also means they can get away from each other when they need a bit of time out and 'space'.

I like to house my pairs of boys in 6' x 2' accomodation and know that for some anything smaller would not be suitable. However at the moment i do have others temporarily in 4' x 2' accomodation who are just fine, it all depends on their personalities and the strength of their bond.

Mmmmm peeking piggies :))
 
Hmm I agree.

Personally I'd rather have any pair of piggies in a 5x2 grids at the very least with loft too.

But I won't be able to fit two 4x2 grids where I was thinking of placing the grids - let alone more grids.

However I've just thought - how about Revolver (My sow) move across my bedroom - so will be on the left side next to my bed in a 4x2 Grids. While the other side will be able to offer a large space - up to 6x2 grids (or more if possible) for any potential piggies. The bed would act like a 'barrier' if you like -as I don't think they would be able to see each other..... But I may be wrong!

I'm just thinking of different plans - as like I said preparation is important! I do not want to compromise piggie's welfare in any way, especially for Revolver. As she comes first - not me!

So please do tell me if you think I am being selfish or this is not a good idea - I won't get offended, as like I said I want what's best.

Thank-you for your help!
 
No, I don't think you are being selfish! You like pigs, you would like more and would like them to be boars as there are so many in rescue. You are also looking into what it would envolve. Provided you can provide for their needs including unexpected future vet bills I see nothing wrong with your idea.

If the cages are on either side of a bed and presumably some space inbetween the bed and cages Ithink that would be OK. I have piggies facing each other who are 8' apart with no problems.

Does your piggy Revolver live on her own? If so a good option would be to find her a neutered boar in rescue. many rescues do piggy dating so you could take her along to find a good match.
 
Hi,

Thank-you for your reply.

I should've also mentioned this - the reason I put down 'selfish' was because, whichever pair I go for, particularly boars, there is a risk, that their bond may break, especially they;ll sense a sow within the area. So is it really fair taking a bonded pair that could essentially fall out at some point?

Of course I'd be prepared to split up, if it comes to the worst, thankfully one of the bonuses of having c&c cages, you can easily modify it and add a divider if necessary.

Ive always wanted to rescue more , but havent had the urge to, especially with revolver's health scares. Although To be honest, I wasn't expecting Revolver to be here with us today. As she's now 8 years and 4 months old. She;s had a few health scares, But is blooming at the moment, and is comfortable for now.

Originally my plan was (after a lot of research and speaking to rescues) to rescue a pair for her to have as neighbors (using c&c cage and a divider) so that way she receives attention and is able to communicate with other piggies. As I do not want to stress her out by having lots of piggy dates, as all rescues are at least 30/40 minutes away from me. When she last went to the vets, she had a fit in her carrier, thankfully she pulled through. But I just do not want her to suffer, especially time is precious with her at the moment.

So that's the reason why she's alone at the moment. Also she was very difficult with sows, when she last went for piggy dating. So a boar is ideal but I'd like to adopt two, so I don't have to worry too much, when she does eventually go.

The reason I started this thread was because I keep seeing boars as a pair and just wondered if this is ever possible, and that way revolver can still communicate with one another!

But I'm not sure now to be honest! As like I said, surely it's selfish of me to have a pair of bonded boar, that could potentially fall out because of Revolver.

Hmmmmm.

Any ideas/suggestions are more than welcome.

SOrry if this is rather confusing, but hope you'll understand my point of view.
 
Hi,

How wounderful Revolver has made it to such a grand age! I totally understand you not wanting to stress her out with dating :)

If you want her to have neighbours she can chat with, a neutered boar plus sow pair would be best or you could maybe adopt a single boar to live along side her and then take him boar dating when the sad time comes when revelver is no longer around?

I think you have looked into this very hard and now have to go with what you feel is right. It maybe that you feel it is best to enjoy the precious time you have left with your elderly girl and then concider taking on a pair of boys in the future :)
 
Ditto - I agree, very wise words.
something i will have to decide on.

To be honest, I hadn't thought about having one natured boar and then go on piggy dates later on. I Didn't think of that, as I presumed rescues rather piggies to actually live together.

Hmmm sounds like a good idea. I will look into this.

Once again thank you for your help
 
All my piggies both neutered boars and neutered sows live in the same area, only seperated by wooden dividers.
I have no problems with them like this or in handling which ever group first and never have done.
I did have a few problems with the young boars before they where neutered when they where out ont he grass in their runs so ended up with sows at he bottom of the garden and boars at the top, but things have settled down again now so they go out muddled up again with no problems.

Lessie what ever you decide to do will be whats best for you and Revolver, by the way it's nice to see you around again :))
 
rngpwelfare said:
All my piggies both neutered boars and neutered sows live in the same area, only seperated by wooden dividers.

Lessie what ever you decide to do will be whats best for you and Revolver, by the way it's nice to see you around again :))
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Hiya,

Thank-you for your lovely message. Hope all is well over there?

That's an interesting point, as you've mentioned that your boars & sows are neutered, would that create a massive problem if a pair of un-netured boar live in the same room with un-neatured sows?

To be honest I think I am going to go for it. I've got the room, time, money and wonderful support from you all, and I am with one of the most respectable vets.

But firstly Revolver's got to go the Vets tomorrow, as I'm worried about her breathing. I've never heard such thing from her chest last night. I was shocked as she's not had this before, but getting this checked out tomorrow. Hopefully this will be treatable.

I still feel guilty I'm not getting Revolver any friend(s). Do you think this is something I should look into? To be honest I'd love to adopt a really old boar - for Revolver to live but I know it's not that simple. I feel as if I should be doing more for her.@)

Anyway will be finishing decorating my bedroom tomorrow, then I will be ordering some more c&c grids this weekend.

Watch this space!

(P.s I've already thought of names for the boars I've had my eyes on - How bad is that!?)
 
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