Dilemmas!

[Swisspigs]

Hi Guys, popped in looking for advice please. It started with AJ and his new nephew Freddie. Freddie was a battered baby and came to me beaten and on anti-biotics so had a rotten start in life but AJ was kind to him. When Freddie became a teenager he turned on AJ quite nastily so they had to be seperated. Worried about them being on their own I got them a baby each, Marley and Spud. They have been together in their respective pairs for 18 months now, seperated in their run by mesh. I've noticed recently that when I put them to bed at night Freddie has started to get dominant with Spud and chase him round the cage and rumble. Spud has now found a way into AJ and Marleys run and for 3 days now has been breaking out to be with them, leaving Freddie on his own. They all seem happy with this arrangement but I'm worried about Freddie being on his own, it just doesn't seem fair and come winter he won't have a buddy to snuggle with.
So my question is will he be ok on his own or should I try and rehome him with someone experienced to get a buddy?

 

[Wiebke]

Some boars seem to happier on their own, as long as they have other piggies nearby and can interact with them to a certain extent. If the other two boys are happy with Spud joining them, it may be worth leaving them together as they are all adult and less likely to fall out.

Would it be a possibility to have Freddie neutered and living with a girl instead? He would have to be further away from the other boys, though. Just a thought. Quite a few more rescue are now taking that option with boars that have problems with bonding with other males.

 

[Swisspigs]

I don't really want to take any more on, in case it all goes wrong again. I usually winter mine indoors but already I can see 3 in a cage a bit of a squash so maybe leave them out but bring Freddie in, but then he won't get any piggy interaction all winter? I've just put him to bed on his own and I felt really mean.
Would it help him get on with the boys better if he was neutered?

 

[Wiebke]

I don't really want to take any more on, in case it all goes wrong again. I usually winter mine indoors but already I can see 3 in a cage a bit of a squash so maybe leave them out but bring Freddie in, but then he won't get any piggy interaction all winter? I've just put him to bed on his own and I felt really mean.
Would it help him get on with the boys better if he was neutered?

No, neutering won't change his character or hormones, it only takes away the ability to make babies.

Would it help you to have a look into C&C grid cages in our housing section. They are not all expensive (a lot less than conventional cages) and you could construct a cage that takes care of your specific situation within the space you've got available - Freddie could still have company, but the other three would have enough space. 2x4 35cm grids are the equivalent of a 2x5 ft cage, and that still allows for an upstairs hay loft for them plus a bachelor 2x3 upstairs pad for Freddie, for example.

Have a look through our cage and hutch gallery (starting from the end)

 

[Swisspigs]

Yes I have got plenty of these, they make up the the sides and divisions for my outdoor run, but don't have enough indoor space to construct anything bigger than their 38" x 19" Savic cages that stack int their alcove.