Decisions, Decisions...

[Heykids!]

I am hoping for some advice as I seem to be going around in circles, my head is spinning and I just don't know what to do for the best!

Last Wednesday I sadly woke up to find my precious 5 year old boar Clegg in his forever sleep. Needless to say I was devastated. It also means that Wallace my 17month old boar is now alone. I haven't done anything sooner regarding getting Wallace a cage mate as unfortunately this has happened straight after the death of my Nan so I am finding it hard to think straight what with the funeral and my sadness for both losses.

Wallace and Clegg didn't actually live together as such - they got into a couple of scuffles which resulted in blood drawn from Wallace and so a divider was put in so that they could see one another and communicate without the risk of causing each other greater harm. Although this was not ideal, they both seemed happy. (I've attached a picture to give you an idea of their setup...)

Since Clegg has gone, Wallace is still eating fine, playing in his hay and looking for his vegetables but I do sense that he's "not the same" so I think he is grieving to some extent. Obviously I will be getting him a new friend but this is where I'm going round and round! I'm not sure whether it would be best for Wallace to try and bond him with another boar or whether to get him neutered so he can be put in with a sow (or two!) as I have heard bonding with girls can be more successful. However, obviously this means that he'll have to be on his own for at least 4-8 weeks after his operation and I'd rather try and get him settled with a new friend sooner rather than later.

I'm not trying to look for the "easy" answer - I know from experience that bonding takes hard work and persistence but ideally I don't want to have to resort back to the divider if things don't work out.

 

[Swissgreys]

Firstly I am sorry for the loss of your sweet older boy.
In your situation I would try to find a rescue that offers boar bonding, and see if they can find the perfect mate for Wallace.
This might prove to be the easiest way to make sure you don't end up with split piggies again.

 

[flowerfairy]

Caramel lived beside his future sows for six weeks post op. They got to know each other through the grids.

The bonding went well.

Wallace would have company if you did choose this route.

A rescue for bonding help is a good plan.

 

[Wiebke]

I am hoping for some advice as I seem to be going around in circles, my head is spinning and I just don't know what to do for the best!

Last Wednesday I sadly woke up to find my precious 5 year old boar Clegg in his forever sleep. Needless to say I was devastated. It also means that Wallace my 17month old boar is now alone. I haven't done anything sooner regarding getting Wallace a cage mate as unfortunately this has happened straight after the death of my Nan so I am finding it hard to think straight what with the funeral and my sadness for both losses.

Wallace and Clegg didn't actually live together as such - they got into a couple of scuffles which resulted in blood drawn from Wallace and so a divider was put in so that they could see one another and communicate without the risk of causing each other greater harm. Although this was not ideal, they both seemed happy. (I've attached a picture to give you an idea of their setup...)

Since Clegg has gone, Wallace is still eating fine, playing in his hay and looking for his vegetables but I do sense that he's "not the same" so I think he is grieving to some extent. Obviously I will be getting him a new friend but this is where I'm going round and round! I'm not sure whether it would be best for Wallace to try and bond him with another boar or whether to get him neutered so he can be put in with a sow (or two!) as I have heard bonding with girls can be more successful. However, obviously this means that he'll have to be on his own for at least 4-8 weeks after his operation and I'd rather try and get him settled with a new friend sooner rather than later.

I'm not trying to look for the "easy" answer - I know from experience that bonding takes hard work and persistence but ideally I don't want to have to resort back to the divider if things don't work out.

View attachment 74107

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your losses! That is a lot to process all at once!

The best place for you would be to contact Wheek and Squeak rescue near Southampton; they are very experienced and offer boar dating. That means that you only come home with a new boarmate if there has been acceptance and success. You maximise the chances of finding "Mr Right" at the least risk for you, and you have the rescue to fall back on if things don't go to plan. That should hopefully take the whole stress out of the experience for you.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator

 

[Heykids!]

Firstly I am sorry for the loss of your sweet older boy.
In your situation I would try to find a rescue that offers boar bonding, and see if they can find the perfect mate for Wallace.
This might prove to be the easiest way to make sure you don't end up with split piggies again.

Caramel lived beside his future sows for six weeks post op. They got to know each other through the grids.

The bonding went well.

Wallace would have company if you did choose this route.

A rescue for bonding help is a good plan.

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your losses! That is a lot to process all at once!

The best place for you would be to contact Wheek and Squeak rescue near Southampton; they are very experienced and offer boar dating. That means that you only come home with a new boarmate if there has been acceptance and success. You maximise the chances of finding "Mr Right" at the least risk for you, and you have the rescue to fall back on if things don't go to plan. That should hopefully take the whole stress out of the experience for you.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator

Thank you all for your fantastic advice and help. I have called Wheek and Squeak and arranged to call them tomorrow at a more convenient time. I am also in touch with another rescue in Dorset who provide a boar dating service too - although I don't think it is so involved as having to take Wallace to stay for 5-7 days which is what Wheek and Squeak state on their website.

If I went down the route of neutering, it would be difficult to put another cage next to Wallace's run after his op so he could see the sows and am not sure if the divider would be secure enough and suffice... Is the picture above clear enough for your thoughts on this please...?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you all for your fantastic advice and help. I have called Wheek and Squeak and arranged to call them tomorrow at a more convenient time. I am also in touch with another rescue in Dorset who provide a boar dating service too - although I don't think it is so involved as having to take Wallace to stay for 5-7 days which is what Wheek and Squeak state on their website.

If I went down the route of neutering, it would be difficult to put another cage next to Wallace's run after his op so he could see the sows and am not sure if the divider would be secure enough and suffice... Is the picture above clear enough for your thoughts on this please...?

If you can, please go to Wheek and Squeak - residential boar dating means that the full bonding happens at the rescue, any resulting bond is then stress tested and as a stable as sow bond. It is really worth going for the Rolls Royce of boar dating! It is well worth going on a waiting list for the sheer peace of mind!

Speed dating generally means that only acceptance happens, but that you then have the dominance phase at home and that fall-outs can still happen.
Anybody can call themselves a breeder or a rescue without licensing or control, and the results can be accordingly. The rescues in our locator are the ones that we can guarantee for that you and any guinea pigs going through the rescue are in safe hands at all stages.