Bonding Two Boars

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Chatty

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Hi all,

Posted this in another thread but was advised it's prob better to start a new one. So, immin the process of bonding two Boars and I wouldn't say it's been difficult so far but they are really hard to work out what's going on in their minds.

So Flash is the eldest, he's about six months now and we've had him for two, Sonic is the new pig at three months and we got him last week. Have kept them separate but both are really placcid and friendly. After a couple of days I halved the main cage as it's about 5 X 2 feet and have them opposite sides so they can smell each others hear each other etc.

First introduced them yesterday on neutral ground and they got on ok, mostly ignored each other but a bit of pushing and climbing on top from the bigger one. No real aggression or anything but since then they have been trying their best to break into the other pigs side, Flash has been chewing the divider, climbing the cage to try and get round or over and both are being vocal - high pitched squeaking, again no aggressiveness.

So had them out on neutral turf again today and much the same as yesterday so I thought I'd bring the divider up and see what happened. Flash was doing a lot of dancing and teeth chattering between squeaking but didn't go for Sonic, chasing about, mounting, the stuff I expected however at one point Sonic turned round and chased Flash back off and then they just went to separate corners and went quiet. This was for about ten minutes.

I then let flash run free for more exercise as I've been letting them out separate and have to go out later so want to make sure they get a good run aroundm. Since so put them back with divider they are doing this strange whooping sound that I can't find anywhere to try and work out what it means.

Also, when Flash was teeth chattering he was doing it to the side of the cage and not at Sonic, is that normal. He was also keep coming over to where I was sitting to see if I approved, I think before going back on the chase.

It is quite amusing how aggressive these cute little furballs can look though when they are parading round trying to show dominance.

Any tips, any help is appreciated.
 
Chatty said:
Hi all,

Posted this in another thread but was advised it's prob better to start a new one. So, immin the process of bonding two Boars and I wouldn't say it's been difficult so far but they are really hard to work out what's going on in their minds.

So Flash is the eldest, he's about six months now and we've had him for two, Sonic is the new pig at three months and we got him last week. Have kept them separate but both are really placcid and friendly. After a couple of days I halved the main cage as it's about 5 X 2 feet and have them opposite sides so they can smell each others hear each other etc.

First introduced them yesterday on neutral ground and they got on ok, mostly ignored each other but a bit of pushing and climbing on top from the bigger one. No real aggression or anything but since then they have been trying their best to break into the other pigs side, Flash has been chewing the divider, climbing the cage to try and get round or over and both are being vocal - high pitched squeaking, again no aggressiveness.

So had them out on neutral turf again today and much the same as yesterday so I thought I'd bring the divider up and see what happened. Flash was doing a lot of dancing and teeth chattering between squeaking but didn't go for Sonic, chasing about, mounting, the stuff I expected however at one point Sonic turned round and chased Flash back off and then they just went to separate corners and went quiet. This was for about ten minutes.

I then let flash run free for more exercise as I've been letting them out separate and have to go out later so want to make sure they get a good run aroundm. Since so put them back with divider they are doing this strange whooping sound that I can't find anywhere to try and work out what it means.

Also, when Flash was teeth chattering he was doing it to the side of the cage and not at Sonic, is that normal. He was also keep coming over to where I was sitting to see if I approved, I think before going back on the chase.

It is quite amusing how aggressive these cute little furballs can look though when they are parading round trying to show dominance.

Any tips, any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hi! Please take the time to carefully read our very detailed illustrated bonding guide which discusses crucial behaviours for every single stage; apart from taking you through all the stages of the whole bonding process, it also discusses the specifics of boar, sow and mixed gender/group bondings.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Please be aware that you cannot bond boars in stages. Every time you split them up, they have to start all over again right at the start. You can imagine how frustrating that is for them! Once you have committed, you need to sit it out and if necessary leave them in the bonding area overnight.

Also be aware that 6 months is at an all time hormonal high and that boars of that age are the most difficult to bond.

Mild teeth chattering is not worrying; it is simply an fairly mild expression of displeasure. As long as it deosn't get much further than this, you are still in with very good chances of a successful bonding.
 
Going on the advise I've decided I'll just let them fully bond tomorrow, off all day so can sit and keep an eye on them and separate again if it gets violent.

Do guinea Pigs get protective over each other and this quickly because I hoovered today and Flash, the eldest one was shouting his head off and when I went in had climbed the divider and above where the little one is and then moved on top of his house. Never once has the hoover bothered him nor has he ever squeaked when I've hoovered before.
 
Chatty said:
Going on the advise I've decided I'll just let them fully bond tomorrow, off all day so can sit and keep an eye on them and separate again if it gets violent.

Do guinea Pigs get protective over each other and this quickly because I hoovered today and Flash, the eldest one was shouting his head off and when I went in had climbed the divider and above where the little one is and then moved on top of his house. Never once has the hoover bothered him nor has he ever squeaked when I've hoovered before.
Click to expand...

He is likely desperate for company, which is boding well. ;)

All the best! You should know where you stand by tomorrow evening. Boars are usually upfront about how they are feeling and where they are standing. It is more of a matter to see how a mounting orgy goes and whether the dominance from one boy is tolerated. The hardest bit is to sit by and allow them to get on without interference.
 
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Well so far, so good. Only got them out together a couple of hours back as my grand been in hospital so had to go visit but when I did they seem to be getting on pretty well. Basically just took turns chasing each other around doing little squeaks, Flash didn't chatter much today, only did it when they were under this black chair he likes to sit under, not much mounting either.

Now they aren't bothering much with each other, they did take a nap together in the corner of the room, they seem more interested in what I'm doing on my phone haha.

Gonna put them in the cage together soon and see how that plays out. Flash seems to be territorial as he has only chattered in places where he likes to chill out so if it's gonna kick off then I'm guessing that'll be where it does but fingers crossed, it's going well so far.

Only aggressive behaviour was Flash rushing Sonic a couple of times but didn't do anything when he got to his face so just hoping he's trying to assert dominance. Sonic seems happy to let him be the dominant pig so that's seems to make things easier.
 
Well they are fully in the cage together now, I still find it difficult to tell how well they are getting on but I think they are ok. What I thought was chattering actually isn't, it's just Flash rubblestrutting, does it quite a lot but hes not aggressive at all, just does it next to Sonic but facing a different way.

They've been great on neutral turf because of all the space and fine in the cage though the playing is a bit more aggressive, being more confined they tend to bump into each other and then sort roll around before moving on though they seem content with the other being there even then.

I tend to spread the fresh food and treats out to encourage foraging but now feeding time is manic as they both dart everywhere trying to eat as much as possible before the other one does (I have their dry food in separate bowls). They also don't shut up now, they both used to be quiet but it's non stop now they are in together.

I've pulled both their bed areas away from.the side of the cage as well so there's no blocking the other in but they want to be in the same room which I guess is good but makes it harder for me to keep an eye on them.

How long is it till you can relax and be confident they are cool after a period of no incidents?
 
Tried to get some pics but you can only see Flash because Sonic is completely black so every picture he just looks like a black ball. The black blob next to Flash (the clear pig) is him.
 
It's sounding good. Rumblestrutting is just something boys do....a lot. It is very mild dominance, more like showing off. Sleeping together was a fantastic sign. It will take up to a couple of weeks to be fully bonded, but the signs are all good. Due to their age there will probably be some hormone spikes when they get a bit more heated, but just roll with it. I've had to split mine a couple of times, for a couple of hours or so just to let them cool down, but don't do this unless it's looking like they're going to get into a full on fight. If they do have a serious fight with blood drawn that's the only time to separate permanently. Your boys are looking like a successful bond. Congratulations!
 
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