Help reassure me! 2 boars issues.

[Doeylicious]

I recently rehomed two boars from a lovely lady down in Haywards Heath. She has many piggies but sadly had reached her limits and had to rehome these two guys.

One is a Swiss, the other is, er, well part Aby and part who knows! Here they are. Both are around 8 months old.

JoJo the mixture

And Bumble (cos he looks like a bee!) the Swiss

Now JoJo seems to be the boss, well mostly, when it comes to food Bumble sometimes takes charge. I have read the guide to boars, and so far I haven't seen any rumble strutting, certainly no mounting, and some teeth chattering but nothing to worry me really, usually when I say 'be nice!' in a stern voice they stop! No worse than I get from my two sows from time to time.

I am trying to do all I can to prevent any upsets before they begin, as I have two sows that live not too far away and can't be moved, and in winter will be beneath the boys.

So far I have:

Made the hole into the sleeping area HUGE (well actually my sows did this when they lived there ages ago, they chewed it massive!) so one cannot 'take charge' of the entrance

Got two food bowls so no fighting over that

Have bought a new bigger hutch (5ft x 2ft) which will again have the house hole enlarged and will be put together tomorrow

Spread all the bits of veg around the hutch when I feed so again not all in one place to be 'controlled'

NEVER CUDDLE THE GIRLS FIRST (much to their annoyance lol)

And will buy two water bottles if needs be.

There was a tube in there, but I noticed JoJo had 'taken charge' of it and used it to keep Bumble out of the sleepy area, so that has come out tonight until I get another one. Both are now sleeping in the sleepy area quite happily again (Bumble was outside before)

So, does this all sound ok? I have never had two boars before and really don't want them to fight. I am considering having them 'done' but have heard this doesn't change behaviour at all so it seems a bit pointless to put them through it, other than it will mean should they have a major fight in future they will be good to go to find a female each instead.

So help me piggy friends, and let me know how I am doing and how I can improve, I want my boys to be happy chappys!

 

[Wiebke]

You are doing all the right things! In the long term, only time and the character combination can tell whether they will make it. Your beautiful boys sound pretty laid back, though, so your chances are pretty good. The majority of boar pairs actually do make it through the stroppy months (which your two are right in the middle of) and into the calmer waters of adulthood.

It is right that neutering won't change a boy's instincts - my Llewelyn is quite happily on the go whenever a girl comes into season and he can still produce unbelievable amounts of smelly testosterone! It is an option just in case you DO have a fall out and want to split up your girls in order to put them with one boy each or get another two sows.

Best of luck and enjoy your boys!

 

[gemz]

my boys wouldnt sleep together anyway, my dominant one always lay outsied wherever drizzle was sleeping, drizzle never minded though! i just have to say beautiful piggies!gemxx

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

boys are harmless honest, well piggy boys anyway! Bumble is absolutely gorgeous, lovely markings awww I'm in love x)

 

[Doeylicious]

Thank you all! I feel really chuffed to get the thumbs up from you Wiebke, I see you as one of the most knowledgable people on here (I lurked for quite a bit before posting)

They do both seem really chilled out, I have only had them at home a week and a half and already they are coming out for their tea, taking food from my hand, happy to have cuddles, my other three took much longer to relax (though they were pet shop guineas and I always wonder if this has an effect!)

If I don't neuter now, is their a maximum age they can be done, just in case? I am loathe to put them through the op until it is necessary, as I really hope they stay together forever happily.

My girls are four now and it would break Whiskey's heart to be separated from Noodles so they will remain as is...if I ever need ladyfriends for the lads it will be down to the local rescue for them, hehe!