Herd Of Males?

[Pets Palace TV]

I have 5 boars, 2 living as a pair, 2 living separated next to each other and 1 neutered boar living with 3 sows. I have had the 2 separated boars for about 2 years now and they are approximately 4 years old - after the first few months of getting them they had to be separated because of fighting (they could never sort out who was boss pig) so now they live next to each other in separate cages, they can still touch noses and see each other. Earlier on this year I adopted 2 more males which are brothers who are about 1 years old and they get on well. All the boys are fine where they live but sometimes I think it's a shame that 2 of them are separated and don't have as much interaction as the others. Does anyone on the forum have a herd of males? I get the boys out for playtime together, they are still all separated through grids but have better interaction than they do in the shed. When I get them out they do occasionally rumble at each other but I haven't heard any teeth chattering and they seem okay with each other. Here is what their interaction playpen looks like:

I have done this a couple of times and it seems to be working well, it's great for the separated boars because they need the interaction. If anyone has advice on keeping males together I would really appreciate it - I know males can have dominant issues (mine drew blood from each other about 2 years ago) but I just want what's best for them. Any suggestions? Thanks x

 

[Wiebke]

Trios and quartets of boars are especially unstable.

If you want a boar herd, it needs to be bigger, have LOTS of space and you will need additional space for those boars that don't a herd setting; like with sows, not all boars get on in a group. Your two older boys may or may not get on sharing at least roaming space; it very much depends on their individual personalities.

 

[Pets Palace TV]

Trios and quartets of boars are especially unstable.

If you want a boar herd, it needs to be bigger, have LOTS of space and you will need additional space for those boars that don't a herd setting; like with sows, not all boars get on in a group. Your two older boys may or may not get on sharing at least roaming space; it very much depends on their individual personalities.

Okay, do you think that it would be too risky?

 

[Wiebke]

Personally, I wouldn't try it. I don't know of any boar quartet that has been together for more than a few months, and that from people with a number of boars, so they could switch and match boarsonalities!

I know of other people, who have had success with shared roaming time, but each boar returning to his own territory.

 

[Pets Palace TV]

Personally, I wouldn't try it. I don't know of any boar quartet that has been together for more than a few months, and that from people with a number of boars, so they could switch and match boarsonalities!

I know of other people, who have had success with shared roaming time, but each boar returning to his own territory.

Thanks for the advice, I will continue to get them out into their separated playpen for some interaction but I won't put them all together because I don't want anything bad to happen.

 

[Sara412]

I have 5 boars they were a pair and a trio, but the trio have now been separated as two of them were picking on the 3rd, he is alone at the moment but can touch noses through the bars, I have tried several attempts at getting them back together but no luck, so rather than have a single lonely boar I have a new baby boar due to become his cage mate in 2 weeks time when he is old enough to leave mum- Fingers crossed all will be happy once again

 

[Pets Palace TV]

I have 5 boars they were a pair and a trio, but the trio have now been separated as two of them were picking on the 3rd, he is alone at the moment but can touch noses through the bars, I have tried several attempts at getting them back together but no luck, so rather than have a single lonely boar I have a new baby boar due to become his cage mate in 2 weeks time when he is old enough to leave mum- Fingers crossed all will be happy once again

Aww good luck! I hope they get on with each other