Help and advice..single boar

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Hi,
we have just rehomed a 12 month old boar (who at that point had no name, he is now called Mr Truffles!) I had been looking into homing some guinea pigs then was asked to take this little chap on. He had been rehomed on a temporary basis by someone else. For the first 12 months of his life he has been living with a rabbit who has bitten him several times...and chickens. Outside.
He is now inside and we have bought a bigger cage than the one he came in, we have also bought a run that we can use inside and out. He likes to have cuddlesx)x)x) but is quiet and I know they should really have a friend. I want to see him really happy. He is a little wary as he adjusts to life inside, but isn't at all fearful of my 2 very inquisitive retrievers! Apparently he is used to dogs as the initial owner had them too.

My question is...can he have a friend. He is not neutered (and I don't intend to have him done) but nor is he used to other piggies. I just want to do my very best by him. He is relaxing into his bigger cage but in all honesty I think he has been fearful of moving too much in his first 12 months given the bites and bullying he has been subjected to. I just wonder if he would be ok with a friend...I want to do my absolute best by him.

He is a Himalayan albino piggie

Thanks in advance.
 
I'm very inexperienced but I think you have 2 options:

1) I've done this - introduce him to a baby boy. At this stage it should be relatively simple as its clear who is the boss. But with boys there is the potential that when baby gets teenage he wants to be boss, so there can be falling outs around this stage. I've done it twice with good results though.
2) the best option - go boar dating. If there is a good rescue near to you (i'm sure others will be able to advise) you take your piggie there and they try him with suitable single males to find the right friend. This partnership is much more likely to remain stable and you'd be rescuing a single pig in need! Just depends on if there is a service like this near to you.

I'm sure others will be able to help more, but I think that's it in a nutshell
 
zez said:
I'm very inexperienced but I think you have 2 options:

1) I've done this - introduce him to a baby boy. At this stage it should be relatively simple as its clear who is the boss. But with boys there is the potential that when baby gets teenage he wants to be boss, so there can be falling outs around this stage. I've done it twice with good results though.
2) the best option - go boar dating. If there is a good rescue near to you (i'm sure others will be able to advise) you take your piggie there and they try him with suitable single males to find the right friend. This partnership is much more likely to remain stable and you'd be rescuing a single pig in need! Just depends on if there is a service like this near to you.

I'm sure others will be able to help more, but I think that's it in a nutshell
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Thanks so much for replying.
The boar dating sounds good, especially if it is done by people who know what they are doing (unlike me who is pretty clueless but is willing to try!:red ) I haven't got the room to end up with another single piggie unfortunately so this would really have to work out.

I am chuffed there is hope for him to have a little piggie friend though. I just want him to be happy. (We also have a rescue hamster...rescue dog...all spoilt rotten! :red:red:red)
 
boar dating all the way! yeeehaaa :))

Where abouts are you then forum members may be able to suggest places for you?
 
Hiya, I had a boar which had been bullied and so was very nervous when I got him. Like you I was told that he should have a companion and so went to our local rescue to try to find a pal for him. He was introduced to a number of potential pals and settled with one who lasted a week, as everytime the pal came near him he teeth chattered and things got a bit heated. So I decided he was happier being a lone boar. A few months later due to having a poorly sow I placed her indoors in a cage next to my lone boar and he seemed thrilled to have a friend to chatter to. She was there for two weeks and then returned to her herd once recovered from her illness. My lone boar seemed very quiet as he seemed to have enjoyed having a friend to wheak with so I took him with me to our rescue where I now help out, and we popped him in with a baby. Instant reaction but nothing like before when he was introduced previously, this time it was sniffing and mounting and running round, not instant teeth chattering and raising noses, thus he now has a little friend. I think that he had suffered so much before me having him he was instantly becoming defensive and not giving any other piggy a chance, but after having given him time on his own to settle and get to know us, and then re introduce him to piggy company he was more confident when meeting another, hence the success in the pairing, (SO FAR!) we now have the teen years for the baby to travel. I think a good motto with piggies is slowly slowly. Hope this helps you, perhaps like mine let him settle and then think about introducing him with the help of a rescue. REgards and goodluck.
 
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The only rescues i know of up this way are Becklen (where i got my two from) but it is in Gretna, and Bramley in Leeds but it is closing down.

Other people will come forward with more ideas for you. Alternatively, i think there is a list of rescues in the rehoming/rescue bit, but i am not 100% sure.

The Potteries Guinea Pig rescue aswell, not sure if that is suitable distance wise.
 
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Northwest is a bit vague - could you be more precise so we can recommend a rescue in your local area.

Suzy x
 
fatgirl105 said:
Hiya, I had a boar which had been bullied and so was very nervous when I got him. Like you I was told that he should have a companion and so went to our local rescue to try to find a pal for him. He was introduced to a number of potential pals and settled with one who lasted a week, as everytime the pal came near him he teeth chattered and things got a bit heated. So I decided he was happier being a lone boar. A few months later due to having a poorly sow I placed her indoors in a cage next to my lone boar and he seemed thrilled to have a friend to chatter to. She was there for two weeks and then returned to her herd once recovered from her illness. My lone boar seemed very quiet as he seemed to have enjoyed having a friend to wheak with so I took him with me to our rescue where I now help out, and we popped him in with a baby. Instant reaction but nothing like before when he was introduced previously, this time it was sniffing and mounting and running round, not instant teeth chattering and raising noses, thus he now has a little friend. I think that he had suffered so much before me having him he was instantly becoming defensive and not giving any other piggy a chance, but after having given him time on his own to settle and get to know us, and then re introduce him to piggy company he was more confident when meeting another, hence the success in the pairing, (SO FAR!) we now have the teen years for the baby to travel. I think a good motto with piggies is slowly slowly. Hope this helps you, perhaps like mine let him settle and then think about introducing him with the help of a rescue. REgards and goodluck.
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Thanks that's helpful and was one of my worries. I am on a fact finding mission at the moment so slowly slowly is absolutley the way we will take it! Glad your pairing is working out so far :-)
 
Suzygpr said:
Northwest is a bit vague - could you be more precise so we can recommend a rescue in your local area.

Suzy x
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We are around the Merseyside area. There are currently rescue piggies in Freshfields but are all older. I am thinking the potteries wouldn't be too far?
 
Ramble said:
:(|):(|):(|):(|):(|):(|):(|)

Any recommendations for boar dating?
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If you're nearer me, your options are going to be somewhat limited; there are no rescues in the north Lancashire area.

If you are further south though (Manchester/Liverpool, there are more options but unfortunately I can't give them to you, I cant remember which they are! plenty of people here will know though!

Oops, just seen your post above, yay for closer rescues to you. I would have thought the Potteries would be a good option for you!
 
I would recommend Potteries as they are experienced in boar dating. Good luck!

Suzy x

ETA I would give him plenty of time to settle with you first though. A happy confident pig is easier to bond as they are not so intimidated by going to a new place to meet a piggie.
 
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Looking like the potteries is the best one for us to look at then.
I will give him time to settle but contact them soon as I am sure his needs are quite specific!
 
hi there, just wanted to say i went to the potteries a few weeks back and took my boy Fuzzy who is nearly two to find a pal and Helen is very experienced and helpful. Fuzzy now has Tyler who is about 10 weeks now and they're getting along great, Helen knows what to look for so you can be confidant that your piggie has picked the right pal and I know she always has boars in.

Best of luck with whatever you decide! :))
 
gogoguineas said:
hi there, just wanted to say i went to the potteries a few weeks back and took my boy Fuzzy who is nearly two to find a pal and Helen is very experienced and helpful. Fuzzy now has Tyler who is about 10 weeks now and they're getting along great, Helen knows what to look for so you can be confidant that your piggie has picked the right pal and I know she always has boars in.

Best of luck with whatever you decide! :))
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That sounds perfect for us really.
I was told today about a 3 year old male needing a home, he is currently being cared for at a local vets and being treated for a skin condition. He is living in reception but needs a new home. I don't think it would be responsible of us to take him on as I have no experience of GP body language etc (would be a breeze if it was a dog..) I am astounded by how many of these little guys are in need of a home.
 
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