Had the Babies sexed ...

[Jillybean]

I actually got it right - they are all boys. Now re-named Teddy (ex Fuzzy), Jacob (ex Foxy) and Harvey (ex Mouse). Have spent the last few days trying to think how I'm going to do this. I've got loads on in March so trying to sort out asap.

I've got 3 girls already, and mum Robyn and Holly her friend who is in an adjoining pen. I know the boys have to come out at 3 weeks and possibly before if they are trying to mate with Robyn. I thought I'd put Holly back in with Robyn and the boys in the adjoining pen. I thought this would get Robyn and the babies used to being separated gradually. Is this OK? and how long before I should move the boys right away?

I'm planning to put Holly and Robyn with my other girls, they've got a big pen so I can split it in half and do that gradually.

I'm planning to keep the 3 boys together and give them as much space as possible to avoid fighting but I know this might happen so I may have to think about having one neutered and putting him in with my girls. All the info seems to say that 3 boys together doesn't usually work? Especially when there's girls about - does this mean if they're in the same room or what? Also in the summer presumably I'll have to keep them well separated so they can't smell/see the girls on the grass? or do they graze in adjoining pens OK? I'd feel bad putting them next to each other if it's going to frustrate the boys & maybe result in fighting.

I want them all inside for the winters. It's a toss up between having them free range in the utility room with a couple of hutches open on the floor or converting the small spare room into a guinea room. Be nice to have them downstairs but we're in and out of the room quite a lot, dogs too, so might not be suitable. Upstairs they'd have more room but less company from us but I could put a stairgate on the open door and cover with wire so they can see us a bit more.

Sorry to ramble on and on, but any advice welcomed. I'm new to the boys! The Barmy4Boars site is brill and have got info from there but would be good to hear advice from those of you who have boys.

Thanks.

 

[minky]

Ahh bless 3 boys !

It might work as they are all boys together the only thing you may find is if they get a whiff of any other females, my boys lived happily together for about 3 months but that was cos i had the girls

From what ive read as much space as possible for the boys with plenty of hidey places !

as for the runs in the summer id deffo do it seperately but again trial and error, getting them neutered when old enough could be an option but even then you wont be able to keep more than one boar with any females again its trial and error

Good Luck

 

[hils78]

I was going to suggest having one neutered with the girls, poss the most dominant one of the 3 so that the remaining 2 are a bit more matched. Maybe keep them near the girls so that they are used to the scent. Just something I read somewhere that if they're used to the scent then they won't go totally barmey when they catch a wiff of them! Only a thought though - don't know if this is true. I have Wiggy & Rusty quite close to Sylvie & Spud at the moment & W&R don't seem to be too fazed. This is not out of choice though - I have no other room for a pair of isolated boars (other than my bedroom!).

How about having all 3 neutered as young as poss then you have plenty of options then? would the rescue they came from help out with costs?

 

[Jillybean]

That's interesting! It would be much easier to keep them near the girls but don't want to rock the boat with the boys, but your point about them being used to the scent is interesting. Would be good to know what other people think too.

When you say about having all 3 neutered, what would my options be then? I will worry about them havings ops and would prefer to avoid if possible, not because of the money but the risk. If there was 1 boy I'd have had him neutered to go in with the girls but obviously can't put all 3 in. How would it work by having the 3 neutered?

Also, what do you think about separating the boys - presumably they need to go next to mum in the adjoining pen for a while?

Thanks for replies Hils78 & Minky - any ideas on above? Plus anyone else got any views? The books all conflict about keeping boys.