Bonding dilemma

[Ellen Cookie]

Today the second day of bonding two boars seemed to be going well but then I've just discovered little cuts on both of their faces (at the side of their lips, and the younger boar has one on his chin). Clearly from a fight and very recent, as I've been with them all day till now when I briefly went downstairs. They’d been together a few hours, and aside from a fair bit of noise, things seemed to be positive until then. Should I give up on the bonding? I've separated them for the time being to avoid further injury. Any advice welcome. As a side note, they are father and son, I’ve had the dad for just over a year and the son, aged 1, arrived on Sunday.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Without sounding haughty, but did you follow the usual bonding procedures? I'd be concerned that there are wounds on both of them and wouldn't expect to see that following a successful bonding session. I'd keep them apart, and if not followed the usual bathing first to remove scents and neutral smelling territory I'd give that a try but now they have history. It won't matter if they are related, piggies will always challenge other piggies.

 

[Wiebke]

Today the second day of bonding two boars seemed to be going well but then I've just discovered little cuts on both of their faces (at the side of their lips, and the younger boar has one on his chin). Clearly from a fight and very recent, as I've been with them all day till now when I briefly went downstairs. They’d been together a few hours, and aside from a fair bit of noise, things seemed to be positive until then. Should I give up on the bonding? I've separated them for the time being to avoid further injury. Any advice welcome. As a side note, they are father and son, I’ve had the dad for just over a year and the son, aged 1, arrived on Sunday.

Hi!

Have you introduced them on neutral ground or just stuck the son into the cage where he would have been perceived as an intruder, which would have put him very much on edge. After a longer separation and with the son grown, they will not necessarily be aware of their relationship; the son is also right in the middle of the teenage months and not at the easiest age for bonding.

How big is your cage and have you made sure that you have removed any hideys with just one opening to avoid any boy being cornered?

Please take the time to read these guides here:
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Cage Size Guide

 

[Ellen Cookie]

Hi, initially I introduced them in a neutral space, but then moved them to the existing 5x2 C&C cage, having cleaned it out completely first, and added fresh hay and veggies. I did add a couple of hideys, which was, in hindisght, a mistake. Thanks for the links, I'll have a read and think about what to do next.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Adding hideys was not a mistake. Wiebke’s comment was removing hideys with just one opening. Hideys are great to have but ones which only have one door in and out can result in a piggy being trapped, open ended hideys such as tunnels are perfect as they can run straight through and not get cornered and harassed by the other piggy.

 

[Ellen Cookie]

Adding hideys was not a mistake. Wiebke’s comment was removing hideys with just one opening. Hideys are great to have but ones which only have one door in and out can result in a piggy being trapped, open ended hideys such as tunnels are perfect as they can run straight through and not get cornered and harassed by the other piggy.

Ah I see, thanks for clarifying.