Finding a wife for my boar - not sure what to do

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alexisburgess1

alexisburgess1

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Hi all, I'm a newbie to the whole Guinea Pig scene and full of questions :)p

I have recently adopted a 4.5 month old boar, who although seems to be happy and settling into our family well (I saw him do zoomies for the first time today!), I realise his life would be enriched by having a buddy to share his life with.

I am worried about getting him neutered, as from reading people's experiences of it, I now know the procedure (and aftercare) is not without risk of complications - and we are all very bonded to him and would hate anything to happen!

We originally adopted him with his "brother" (dubious as to whether we were given the correct information about that, because they drew blood before I made the tough decision to get his brother rehomed). So not sure if he will manage being with another boar, unless anyone knows a different situation where this would work? My GP was the dominant one...

Very confused about the whole thing, so if anyone can advise me on what my realistic options are, then I'd be very grateful! x>>
 
Hello and welcome. The other boar could have been his brother as brothers and sisters do fight. I would not get him neutered as it is a risky operation. The best thing to do is to take him boar dating. This is were you take him to a guinea pig rescue and he can choose his own friend. Having a friend will make the world of difference to him as guinea pigs get very lonely alone. You are making the right decision. :)
 
Hi there! Its great your doing some research. and your defiantly in the right place.

You have a couple of options in front of you for getting him a friend. The first, that you have already mentioned, is getting him neutered. This, like any opperation is not without complications and I would recomend you find a very good cavvy savvy vet to do this, however its still a reasonable option. :)

The second, is to get a spayed sow. These are like gold dust. And usually are reserved for boars to old/ill to have the surgery. :)

The third, and in my opinion the one that should definatly be tried first, Is boar dating. A reputable guinea pig rescue will let you take your boy, so he can choose his own friend. The rescue will not release them to you unless they are sure the bond is secure (obviously this isnt 100%, however its ALOT more accurate than the fingers crossed and hope for the best attitude that pet shops adopt)

If you let us know your location we will be able to point you to a rescue/vet in your area. :)
 
Connie said:
Hi there! Its great your doing some research. and your defiantly in the right place.


If you let us know your location we will be able to point you to a rescue/vet in your area. :)
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Thank you! I've heard about Boar Dating - the only thing is though - surely this still involves getting Dandelion neutered first? Or do you mean he may find a friend who is also a boar?

My location is Milton Keynes, and as soon as I've built a C&C cage (after xmas) I will be looking to take my man dating :))
 
Wiebke said:
The best way you can find a compatible friend is by "boar dating" at a rescue that offers this service.

Suzygpr keep a bloglike thead about what she does in her rescue which will show you what is implied; it is really worth making the extra effort: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59233
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Thank you, I see now that you can pair a lone male with another male. Perhaps my cage also wasn't big enough for two boars (I've read they need more room than 2 females?) so hopefully a nice big C&C cage will allow them enough space to get away from each other if they need to. Wish P@H had mentioned cage size, as maybe I didn't need to give Burdoch back... 8...
 
Boar dating means two boars going on a date to get to know each other and see if they get along :) So no need to worry about neutering for boar dating
 
Boar dating refers to "dating" two boars. So yes finding him a male friend, this means he wont need to be neutered, and may still live happily ever after. :) Often people think that if a piggy has fought once, he will do so again. But they are abit like humans, just because you dont like a certain person doesnt mean you dont like ALL people. :)

Hopefully someone will come along soon with an idea of a rescue near you. As you are are not in a rush hopefully you will be very prepared when the time comes :D

I'm sure you know, as your doing research but boars need 2x4 C&C grids (or the eqivelant, for example 3x3 would be fine :) ) or more, if you can manage it. Also when you find bring the new pair home its a good idea to have two of everything. So two food bowls, two water bottles, two toys, and two hay racks, and two houses. (preferable houses with two exits so noone can get blocked in) All those things help to make sure they have nothing to argue over untill they a full bonded. :)
 
Pet shops are notorious for selling too small cages (they have quotas to hit, not animal welfare in mind); they also sell animals as the buyers choose, without any care whether they really go together. Piggies can be astonishingly picky who they want to live with!

Especially with boars, character compatibility is extremely important for a stable bond, as well as plenty of space to get them through the hormonal first year of their life. Unlike with rabbits, neutering doesn't change boar behaviour; it is only necessary if you want your boar to live with sows. Bonding your guinea pig at a rescue has also the advantage that you can always turn to them if you have problems.

The closest reputable rescue to you that I can recommend and that allows you to bring your boar is RNGP Welfare in Rugby. http://www.rngp.org/

Others, a bit further away, that I can recommend warmly, would be Crawley Rescue by Gatwick airport or Reading.
http://crawleyguineapigrescue.org/default.aspx
http://www.guineapigwelfare.org.uk/reading-guinea-pig-rescue/
 
alexisburgess1 said:
Thank you, I see now that you can pair a lone male with another male. Perhaps my cage also wasn't big enough for two boars (I've read they need more room than 2 females?) so hopefully a nice big C&C cage will allow them enough space to get away from each other if they need to. Wish P@H had mentioned cage size, as maybe I didn't need to give Burdoch back... 8...
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It might be that they were just not a good pairing but you are right, lots of space is a good plan. Also hideys with an entrance and an exit and 2 food bowls etc.

I have just been through boar dating twice in the last few weeks. I had two separated 7 month old boars and now both have new young boar companions and are very happy. So from my experience I would say it is very worth while looking into. Both times I went to a rescue taking my (intact) boars to meet other potential boar friends so that the rescue can oversee the process and help judge how the piggies react. Goodluck with your plans and post if you have more questions:) as lots of people on here will help out.
 
I have just been through boar dating twice in the last few weeks. I had two separated 7 month old boars and now both have new young boar companions and are very happy.

That makes me feel very hopeful that I can find Dandy a companion - thanks for all the tips, I should have really done my research before taking on the GP's - feel a bit sheepish now! :red
 
PS1: If you would prefer to go down the neutering route, there is one of the best guinea pig vets with lots of neutering experience, Simon Maddock in Northampton, not far from you. Having access to a really good vet can cut down enormously on the risk of post op complications although - like with human ops - you can never exclude all risks. Cross gender bondings have the advantage that they are the most stable of relationships and fall outs are pretty unheard of. http://www.inorthamptonshire.co.uk/...57491/Northampton/Cat-and-Rabbit-Care-Clinic/

PS2: Please never get a girl from a shop - have a look in our pregnancy section for the reason why! Piggy dating (any gender) at a rescue is always the best way for a happy pairing. My two cataract sows have chosen a their new (neutered) husboar only last July in Rugby, and I have had great success with piggies of all genders and ages over the years.
 
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Dont feel bad. In hindsight we would all do things differently. The important thing Is that your now trying to do the best and researching. :)
 
I have to say, in my experience I would advise against 2 boars together. I adopted two boars that got on famously for 3 months and then in a split second decided they hated each other and fought endlessly til I split them up and re-homed one (which was hard, i'm not gonig to lie :( ) There is no guarantee that, even if your pig goes boar dating and finds another boar, that they will get on forever. I, personally, would neuter your boar and find him one (or more) female companions to live with. That's what I have done and my boar Marley is so much happier now, they all cuddle, sleep and groom each other whereas when I had his brother they would tolerate each other but never cuddle down with one another.

Just my opinion though - it may be down to bad experience but I would never risk housing boars together again now.
 
I am so glad to read all this in this thread, I am having my own bonding problems over here, and this discussion is helping me. What I am seeing here is that if they have enough space, let's say about 2 feet x 5 feet per pig (they have that in the bathroom) and places to hide, they don't attack each other and will even choose the same pigloo to hide in together. Yet, they don't play or cuddle and aren't really social and they use the space to avoid each other. I wish I knew where to find a spayed sow, but seeing as there aren't even any guinea pig vets around here, I KNOW there aren't going to be any spayed sows. :(
 
Pat, Just to reply. I found that my boys wernt cuddling and was worried they were unhappy together however when they are put in a strange place they followed eachother everywhere! and were distressed when appart. If they dont dislike eachother, Dont assume it means they arnt happy. :) Do they ever run around and popcorn?
 
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