Help - 3 boars have fallen out

[Knocknamuck]

I've had Cuthbert, Dibble and Grubb for about 6-7 weeks now. I knew I was being a little bit optimistic in hoping they would all get on permanently in a 3 boar trio, and was fully advised at the time of adopting them that they might fall out. Well, that has now happened.

Dibble was alternating between being bullied and chased by Cuthbert, and then strutting and rumbling at Grubb. Grubb fully tolerates this behaviour from bosspig Cuthbert, but didn't care too much for this from Dibble. I separated Dibble from the other 2 a few days ago as he was being constantly harrassed by Cuthbert (whilst Grubb, the big softie hid in a tube!). Dibble was put in a Nero something (my friend gave it to me, so I don't know the size) cage, inside the big 4x3 C&C pen that they all shared. I am going to look for a baby boar for Dibble to pair up with, but in the meantime I'm feeling very sorry for him on his own.

Because of this, we have now put a divider through the C&C pen so that Dibble can interact better with the other 2. However, this might be leading to new problems, as Grubb spends alot of time flirting through the wire at Dibble. Dibble strutts and rumbles up and down the divider the whole time, whilst Cuthbert tried to ignore the whole thing. However, it looks like it might cause problems between Grubb and Cuthbert, as Cuthbert sometimes loses patience with the whole charade and chases Grubb away from the divider. Grubb is very submissive, so this has not led to any scrapping, but things were alot more peaceful before the divider and Dibble were put in the pen.

Has anyone got any experience of this? Should I persevere with the divider, or separate Dibble from the other 2 completely? I've had a look through the Barmy4Boars pages, but would also welcome advice as I am a bit stuck!

 

[MemberX]

Ah sorry to hear they have had a right old barny! I had this with 2 and I seperated and put them in seperate cages, they could see one another and rumble and it did settle so maybe you could see how it went.

I've just been admiring your boys I missed the snaps when you posted them up. Abolutely stunning. I hope things sort themselves out. Having 7 boars I know they can be hard work and sometimes it feels like a jigsaw puzzle getting the pieces to fit so to speak with the right relationships!

 

[Knocknamuck]

Thanks for that Louise. Grubb's being such a flirt recently that I had to re-check his dangly bits to make sure that there were some dangly bits!

I do hope things settle down as there's a bit too much excitement going on. I'm glad your's did.

Glad you like the photos. I found ones of Twinkle on an old post in the Photo Gallery and he is also very, very handsome boy - what a stunner!

Olwen

 

[MemberX]

Thanks yeah Twinkle is a special pig, I think because he has been so naughty he has tons of personality and I just love him for it. He is my fav although I love them all.

Sunshine now lives with Radley they do ok except when Sunshine is sitting on Radley's head and Twinkle lives with Milo they barber one another to pieces but seem happy enough!

This is probably the teenage stage for your guys now so hopefully it will blow over! Good luck!

 

[Knocknamuck]

Sounds like a great way to behave - I'd love to sit on someone's head when they annoy me!

Well a kind of peace has been restored as we have put a strip of correx alongside the divider, with 2 high bits so there's only a gap for Dibble to look through. Not very nice for him but it means Cuthbert can rumblestrut around his pen safe in the knowledge that he is top pig in Grubb's affections!

Cuthbert has had a chew of the duct tape wedging the correx in. He's only had a tiny bit - it won't do him any harm do you think?

If anyone has any advice or general experience of having 2 boars living next to a single boar I'd love to hear it.

 

[Hels]

Hi Olwen,

I am so sorry I never got back to your email - no excuses it was simply overlooked.

I very often have two boys in one cage next to a single boar in the next door cage and I have no problems at all in doing that. It is company for all.

Alternatively getting your single boy neutered and pairing him with a girl would be a possible solution also. I have boys on one side of the playroom and girls on the other (as you have seen when you collected your trio). As you say, a baby boar is yet another solution. Nothing is ever guaranteed but as Lou says its a bit like a jigsaw. Two of your boys are obviously bonded - you just need to find a guinea for your single boy or if he is happy, leave him next to the others.

Any way whatsoever Graham and I can help you then please please do ask or telephone us - you have the numbers.

Much love to you.

helen.
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[Knocknamuck]

Thanks Helen. I am still deciding what to do, but think I will try to avoid him being neutered unless it's the only option left. I was leaning away from this anyway, and Lennypig's poor piggy experiences are really confirming this for me now.

Anyway, thanks for the info on your pigs - I think I was overwhelmed by all your piggies as I had forgotten what pigs you have where and with whom!

Thanks for the support - if things get really bad I'll be on the phone to you straightaway for on-the-spot advice!

P.S. Love to you too and thanks for your help

Olwen
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[MemberX]

Hi Olwen,

Sunshine was bonded with a 4 month old and Twinkle (who was the worst out the two and I never thought he would live with another boar) with a 6 week old. I feel the younger the boar the better it can work.

Neutering is an option I have thi option for my lone boar Jasper but I am thinking of a baby boar. I don't really want to add more pigs to the herd as I have 13 and that enough but for the good of the pig I think this is the way to go.

Got to find a big enough cage for them first though!

Have a good day!

Louise
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[Knocknamuck]

Hi Louise,

It's good to hear about other piggy bondings as I am a bit worried about introducing a new baby. I think this is what I will end up doing, same as you, despite the extra addition (although adding no. 14 is a bit more daunting than adding no. 4!!).

Have a good day too - last one for me before returning to the dreaded work.........

Olwen
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