Bonding girl and neutered boy

[Piggy foster mum]

I’m bonding a fostered older neutered boy who has been on his own for a year now with a younger female. We’re not certain of either of their ages but the girl acts like a puppy nagging an older dog some of the times and the boy is ignoring her.
They have been in an outdoor run and also and indoor run so they have lots of space. The girl is keen to get to know the boy but he’s not so interested. It’s only been a week so maybe things will change but I feel like the boy has been on his own for so long he’s quite happy and now he’s sharing everything with another piggy he’s not impressed.
She’s been patient and all morning they have been sleeping in their own houses next to each other but ever so often she comes out and tried to go into his house. He’s just pancaking himself so the whole house is filled and there is no way in for her.
Do you think this will change, they’ve not really been aggressive it just seems like the boy is not interested.

 

[KathT]

I got a three and a half week old boar, Arthur, to go with my bereaved boar Vlad who is about three and a half. For the first few week Vlad took absolutely no notice of Arthur and totally ignored him. After a few weeks they started to interact more and although they don’t share beds, the do lay side by side. They also popcorn about together too. Just give it a bit more time, I’m sure everything will be fine.

 

[Wiebke]

I’m bonding a fostered older neutered boy who has been on his own for a year now with a younger female. We’re not certain of either of their ages but the girl acts like a puppy nagging an older dog some of the times and the boy is ignoring her.
They have been in an outdoor run and also and indoor run so they have lots of space. The girl is keen to get to know the boy but he’s not so interested. It’s only been a week so maybe things will change but I feel like the boy has been on his own for so long he’s quite happy and now he’s sharing everything with another piggy he’s not impressed.
She’s been patient and all morning they have been sleeping in their own houses next to each other but ever so often she comes out and tried to go into his house. He’s just pancaking himself so the whole house is filled and there is no way in for her.
Do you think this will change, they’ve not really been aggressive it just seems like the boy is not interested.

Hi!

Please always make sure that you have as many hideys as you have piggies, or more; the same goes for bowls (ideally removed between meals to encourage piggies to eat as much hay as possible for long term health and a longer life) and in some cases also for water bottles and hay access.

It is a myth that all piggies want to snuggle up; in fact, the majority won't and even the snugglers usually spend some part of the day/night on their own. During the post-bonding dominance phase claiming the best hidey and bowl is part and parcel of the process reinforcing the hierarchy.
Here is our comprehensive bonding guide, which does not just cover the actual bonding phases but also the run up and the dominance phase after the hierarchy has been established with its typical dynamics and behaviours: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[Piggy foster mum]

Hi!

Please always make sure that you have as many hideys as you have piggies, or more; the same goes for bowls (ideally removed between meals to encourage piggies to eat as much hay as possible for long term health and a longer life) and in some cases also for water bottles and hay access.

It is a myth that all piggies want to snuggle up; in fact, the majority won't and even the snugglers usually spend some part of the day/night on their own. During the post-bonding dominance phase claiming the best hidey and bowl is part and parcel of the process reinforcing the hierarchy.
Here is our comprehensive bonding guide, which does not just cover the actual bonding phases but also the run up and the dominance phase after the hierarchy has been established with its typical dynamics and behaviours: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

I read the article before bonding and it was very helpful. There are 3 hideys, 2 food bowls, 2 hay racks and 2 water bowls and bottles. They are getting on really well today and both had cuddles on my lap together. Now they are actually sharing the same box in their cage and they’ve chosen the smallest one

 

[Betsy]

It sounds like all is going well. Well done on giving a lonely boar a lovely new home and a friend.