So as you know I have Fudge and now Arthur. They're both about the same age, not sure exactly but probably around 8 months. Is it impossible to bond them? I'm prepared to take time to bond them but scared as I don't want any injuries.
Bonding boars
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Well, as you probably know, I successfully bonded Sammy and Roo as adults a few months ago.
To start with, we put them in separate enclosures (cages at night, outdoor runs during the day - it was September) side by side so they could get used to the sight, sound and smell of each other with no physical contact. During this time, there was a lot of interest/curiosity on both sides, but no signs of hostility.
After a week of this, I tried them on a lap together. They were both quite tense and sat a little apart. I had them out on a lap for an hour every evening for a week and by the end of the week they were relaxed and snuggling.
Then I tried introduction on neutral territory. They were fine for 45 mins then started getting a bit cross, so I decided they'd had enough for the first session. I tried them again a couple of hours later and they were fine, but then we had to go out so I separated them. After that, they were together every time anybody was available to keep an eye on them. They did a bit of mounting and a LOT of nose-to-nose stuff but no worse, and we were gradually able to reduce supervision until they were together full-time.
HTH!
P.S. Have you looked at the 'Barmy 4 Boars' website? That was where I learned how to try bonding our two!
P.P.S. - Just realised you asked about these boys before. You have sows as well, don't you? I'm not sure you will be able to get boars to live together peacefully if they can smell sows.
To start with, we put them in separate enclosures (cages at night, outdoor runs during the day - it was September) side by side so they could get used to the sight, sound and smell of each other with no physical contact. During this time, there was a lot of interest/curiosity on both sides, but no signs of hostility.
After a week of this, I tried them on a lap together. They were both quite tense and sat a little apart. I had them out on a lap for an hour every evening for a week and by the end of the week they were relaxed and snuggling.
Then I tried introduction on neutral territory. They were fine for 45 mins then started getting a bit cross, so I decided they'd had enough for the first session. I tried them again a couple of hours later and they were fine, but then we had to go out so I separated them. After that, they were together every time anybody was available to keep an eye on them. They did a bit of mounting and a LOT of nose-to-nose stuff but no worse, and we were gradually able to reduce supervision until they were together full-time.
HTH!
P.S. Have you looked at the 'Barmy 4 Boars' website? That was where I learned how to try bonding our two!
P.P.S. - Just realised you asked about these boys before. You have sows as well, don't you? I'm not sure you will be able to get boars to live together peacefully if they can smell sows.
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Many adult males can form a very strong bond. Fighting isn't what every adult male guinea pig does, it's just a trait that some have. They may not get along, so you shouldn't have them together unless you can watch them (until they've bonded). They way that sammyroo did it sounds the best, and you should definitely try that. As far as smelling sows goes, I've had adult males in a cage right next to adult females and the males didn't fight at all. With the exception of going up to the bars to sniff, they rarely showed any interest.
Kimmie
Kimmie
Thanks for the advice. I have got sows but they're going to remain inside. Which leaves the boys in the shed.
I showed Arthur to Fudge through the cage and both seems really interested in each other but I have no idea if the noises they were making were friendly or not. They did a loud 'purring' and 'clicking' sound to each other and started rubbing their noses together, is this a good sign? I don't know whether to try bonding them or not, I'm really scared they'll hurt each other.
Once they're out in the shed there will be no sows around.
I showed Arthur to Fudge through the cage and both seems really interested in each other but I have no idea if the noises they were making were friendly or not. They did a loud 'purring' and 'clicking' sound to each other and started rubbing their noses together, is this a good sign? I don't know whether to try bonding them or not, I'm really scared they'll hurt each other.
Once they're out in the shed there will be no sows around.
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I suggest you try doing as I did (which, as I say, I got from the Barmy 4 Boars website):
Can you put them in side-by-side enclosures for a while and watch from a distance? Signs of hostility are teeth chattering and raised hackles. You may get a bit of 'burring' noise but that's OK in moderation.
If they seem not to be hostile, try them on a lap. Have somebody else around who can quickly remove one if they appear unhappy together. The Barmy 4 Boars website says that pigs are extremely unlikely to fight on a lap and it's a good way of getting them used to each other.
Can you put them in side-by-side enclosures for a while and watch from a distance? Signs of hostility are teeth chattering and raised hackles. You may get a bit of 'burring' noise but that's OK in moderation.
If they seem not to be hostile, try them on a lap. Have somebody else around who can quickly remove one if they appear unhappy together. The Barmy 4 Boars website says that pigs are extremely unlikely to fight on a lap and it's a good way of getting them used to each other.
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