Coping until boar is neutered and can live with sows

[Elmogene]

I just brought home a baby boar (8 weeks) to eventually live with my 2 happily bonded sows (4 months and 3 months). He is living in an "apartment" next to their cage. They are showing great signs of liking each other (visiting, grooming, and "kissing" through the bars). The boar (Edward) cries out for them so much, and it's heartbreaking. It will be another 2 months until he is old enough to be neutered, followed by 6-8 weeks post-op. How can we all cope with him feeling lonely? He cuddles with us humans twice a day, but I know we're no substitute for a ladypig. His environment is cozy and safe, and I've thought about putting a little stuffed animal in there for him to cuddle with.

I've considered taking him back to the pet store because it feels like he's suffering and I don't want that to go on for the next 4 months. But I also know they will all be so happy in the long run. Any advice?

 

[Siikibam]

I’m afraid there isn’t really anything you can do. There was someone on here who swapped bedding between the cages. You could do that, though it would depend what bedding you’re using.

Would you consider getting him his own friend and putting them in a different room or in a cage above the sows? Or four is too much?

 

[Claire W]

I’m sorry that your boar is crying for the sows. I’m afraid there really isn’t much you can do other than ride it out or as @Siikibam has mentioned, get him a boar friend instead of having him neutered but you would have to have them living in a separate room or stacked above the sows x

 

[Elmogene]

Thank you for your replies. I only have the space/wherewithal for 3, and the plan is to have him live with the girls, so I don't want to throw an extra boar into the mix. I think I just have to keep in mind that this is a kind of puppy phase, he'll grow out of the baby phase in a few weeks, and that the rest of his life will be paradise living with the sows. I wish there was some sort of piggy chastity belt or something so they could at least visit each other!

 

[Elmogene]

I’m afraid there isn’t really anything you can do. There was someone on here who swapped bedding between the cages. You could do that, though it would depend what bedding you’re using.

Would you consider getting him his own friend and putting them in a different room or in a cage above the sows? Or four is too much?

I'm using fleece bedding. What would swapping the bedding do?

 

[Siikibam]

It may give him some comfort to have their scent in his cage. You could swap hides if you have any fleece ones.

If you don’t have room to house a boar pair in a different room, could you house them in a stacked cage? The girls at the bottom and the boys above? That’s what I did when I got my sows. I first put them under the stairs but it wasn’t feasible long term.