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CatherineG78

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I have a mum and her two babies. The babies are a girl and a boy. I have separated them at 22 days as Stanley was getting a bit frisky with his mum and sister. I put Lilly and Lucy outside in the hutch and left him inside in the cage that they were all in. I thought it best to uproot the girls together rather than uproot him, on top of the separation thing.

I separated them on Monday. He's not eating, not particularly drinking, he's lost weight (I haven't weighed him, but it's noticeable). He just sits shaking in his cage, won't come out of his tube. I tried again today to try and bond him, and put him on my chest for about 20 minutes while stroking him. He did seem to chill out a little and seemed to be wanting to fall asleep, but then the second I move or try to move him in a different position, he freaks out and it takes another 5 minutes just to chill him back out. He's making no noise, no chattering. whereas with his mum, I couldn't shut him up.

What should I do. Should I try him back with his mum for a little while longer or carry on with the cold turkey? I still haven't decided what I'm going to do with him yet - was going to rehome, but am finding it hard to find someone to take him, so am thinking of leaving them all where they are and getting him neutered and having them together once he's done.
 
I have no experience in that particular area, however I don't think its wise to put him back in with the girls as at this age he could get both of them pregnant. I know it can be very hard on us humans when we see our piggies in obvious distress, we had to separate our girls as one of them needed recovery time after surgery, we set it up so they were right next to each other so they could see and even touch each other, that might help your little man adjust and if you are thinking about keeping him and having him neutered, he will have to stay alone for at least 6 months before the opp and 6 weeks after it so it is probably best that you find some way of letting them see each other but not touch :x Hopefully someone with a bit more experience in with boys will come along soon.
 
Please do not put him back in at this point - you would be risking further, in-bred, pregnancies.

I would recommend popping him in a fleecey tunnel where he can feel secure and you will be able to lift him easily without stressing him by catching him. Cover the top of the cage over with a towel/fleece as this often makes pigs feel happier to come out and feed. A soft toy to snuggle can help too.

A small amount of the guinea pig nuggets softened with warm water can be tempting for those not eating well enough, and some grass rinsed and still wet to help with hydration - place them very close to his tunnel.

Occasionally babies do not thrive after weaning and it can be a very sad story, a bit of extra care with his food will hopefully make a difference and he will start to eat well.

Suzy x
 
Hes probably confused and miaaing his mum and sister but i certainly wouldnt put them all back together as if he impregnates his mum is sister the babys will be inbred and could have severe deformities and health issues, plus the health risks in regards to the mother pig..
 
Have you tried putting his food in then sitting near his cage for a while, either quietly or talkin to him. I had this situation and the only time my lone boy would eat was when he had company. Luckily for our boy we'd had 2 surprise pregnancies and had 2 boys but they were from different litters so he spent a week on his own, it was heart breaking but we found the only time he would eat was when he had company. Luckily for our boy the only space we had for his cage was on the end of our table and we soon realised that he wasn't eating on his own but would come straight out when we sat down for meals. Hope he's gonna be Ok x
 
Thanks everyone, will persevere. Just so hard, seeing a baby so upset. I'll give him some more cuddle time later and try the food suggestions.
 
He won't come out if anyone is anywhere near him. He has one of those extendable tunnels and just sits in there all day/all night. I haven't seen him out of there since I separated them, willingly anyway. I might let him have free run in the living room later and see if that perks him up.
 
Aww poor little thing. Is there anyway you can get another boar for him to have company?
 
Hi, not really, I haven't got space for 4, barely enough for 3 if I decide to keep him and I'd ideally prefer to keep them indoors. The girls will have to go in the garage when it gets colder and will have to start using heat pads for night time and a cover. It will get a lost easier when the babies grow and can use the 6ft run I bought for them. At the minute, they can squeeze through the holes so can't use it.
 
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