Can I have 1 unneutered boar in same room with a bonded pair of sows?

Timothy Hayes

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I have 2 bonded sows in a 2x5 cage.

Can I have a lone unneutered boar in the same room or open space as the sows, given that it will be in a separate midwest cage?

I don't have access to neutered boars, and I don't want to go through the process of neutering one.
I don't want 2 or more boars, just one.
I would rather not house them on top of each other. I like being able to see and interact with them, and I also have a vacant midwest cage that I would like to put to use.

Will the boar be OK on its own, given that there are other guinea pigs in its vicinity?
Is it possible for the sows to fall out from having a boar nearby?
Could the guinea pigs become stressed, sexually frustrated, or experience any discomfort from smelling/being aware of each other yet not being able to mingle?
 
If you don't want anymore boars, please neuter him. Wait 6 weeks and introduce him to your sows. Keeping him by himself is cruel.
 
May I ask why you don’t want to get him neutered? I think given that and the unsuitability of keeping him alongside the sows long term, you may have to abandon plans of taking him on I’m afraid. Unless you change your mind about the former.
 
May I ask why you don’t want to get him neutered? I think given that and the unsuitability of keeping him alongside the sows long term, you may have to abandon plans of taking him on I’m afraid. Unless you change your mind about the former.

I would just rather not do it unless absolutely necessary.
 
I would just rather not do it unless absolutely necessary.

If his only other option is living alone then neutering would be necessary

Really, for his sake, the options are to neuter and try to bond him with your sows; or
bond him with another boad and have them as a separate pair. Doing this would mean the midwest cage isn’t big enough (two boars need a 2x5 C&c) and also that they would ideally need to be kept in a separate room to the sows (for a boar pair, smelling sows can cause them to fight and fall out)
 
If his only other option is living alone then neutering would be necessary

Really, for his sake, the options are to neuter and try to bond him with your sows; or
bond him with another boad and have them as a separate pair. Doing this would mean the midwest cage isn’t big enough (two boars need a 2x5 C&c) and also that they would ideally need to be kept in a separate room to the sows (for a boar pair, smelling sows can cause them to fight and fall out)

:agr:. You do have to consider his best interests, and it is not in his best interests to live alone. I’m part of a rescue who run a very successful boar neutering programme. In experienced hands it is a safe and relatively straightforward procedure and the boars recover very quickly. 6 weeks later they get to meet new wives and go off to live happily as part of a pair or a group. So much more of a happy life than living in a cage alone for the rest of their lives.
 
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This picture just popped up on my phone and was taken a year ago today when Winston (the ginger guinea pig) was first introduced to his herd after a 6 week wait after being neutered. I can't tell you how much of a good leader he is to the herd. If ever there are any disagreements or one member is bullying/chasing a new member he will step in a defend the bullied piggy. All of the herd get on so much better since he's been introduced they're also so much calmer and less agressive. Having a male in the herd adds so much for me also. You get to see natural behavior he's always rumble strutting and at times all 6 piggies start following him when he does this which is really funny. Tbh, adding an extra herd member does really improve confidence so you may find your two are out alot more as opposed to hiding which is what happened when I only had 2. As well as this he is so much happier which is the main thing he would've be really struggled being a single pig as would any guinea pig especially whenever they've got the chance to live happily with multiple sows. Have a think. ❤️
 
I'm afraid it would be cruel having him living alone and in the same room as your sows. He will be able to hear them and smell them causing him to be frustrated.

I have a neutered boar (he was neutered before I adopted him) living with 3 sows and it's lovely seeing them all so happy. I would strongly advise you neuter him, wait the 6 weeks and then see if you can bond him with your sows
 
My Rebel was on his own after his elderly boar hutch mate died, he was very depressed. I had him neutered and once safe he went in with my sows, he couldn't have been happier and was a different piggy.
 
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