How to find Junior a companion...?

[PottyForPiggies]

I know it is very soon to be thinking about this, as my gorgeous boy Casper passed away just this morning, but with Junior being alone it has got me thinking about how best to find him a friend. It would be a short while before I made anything happen, simply for the purpose of checking how he is coping alone and making sure that nothing bad happens to him.

Option 1 is to take him boar dating at a rescue and get him another male friend. This may be difficult as he is quite dominant (he actually bit me and drew blood earlier today in the confusion of what was going on without Casper - plus he was hungry :{) and may not be too accepting of another piggie. However I know that all rescue people would not rest until they found the PERFECT friend for him.

or...

Option 2 is to have him neutered and put him in with my girls, Treacle and Bernadette when I move house and have a bigger space for them. As Treacle is a bit older, I'm not sure how accepting she'll be of him. Plus Bernadette has had babies before, and I don't know how comfortable she'll be having a boy pig around. But if they do get on and something bad happens to a piggie, the remaining pair would still have a companion.

Junior is 2 1/2 and I don't want him to spend his days alone. Does anyone have any advice on this? Please?

 

[Suzygpr]

My advice would be to take him boar dating for an adult companion, so that it would be a male that accepted him as he is, warts and all. A baby would be generally be viewed as easier BUT an adult bond is far more stable once you find the right one and there's no teenage months to go through where Junior might be challenged and problems occur.

If he's quick to use his teeth then the youngster could be in danger and, boys being boys, teenage pigs don't learn their lesson the first time and back down completely, they still have to push it for a few months as the surges come through.

I would only consider going down the neutering route if boar dating failed completely - and I'm talking after trying a dozen or so different dates. Usually I find a cagemate within 8 dates, 4 dates per visit. If the first round of 4 fail then we have a return visit when there are other boars to try.

HTH

Suzy x

 

[PottyForPiggies]

Thanks Suzy, Junior is quick to use his teeth - Casper had the most raggedy ears from little nips (nothing too deep, just squabbles) and that's what worries me. I really hope that I can find him a friend, I will look into boar dating. Any recommendations for where to look? Preferably as close to me in York as possible, I don't want to stress him out too much through long travel.
He is such a sweetheart, one of the calmest to handle I've ever seen. x)

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

I know its very sad you lost Casper but i think its brilliant that you care so much to find Junior a friend because he will need it, well done and good luck xx

 

[Wiebke]

I am sorry for your loss! Personally, I have dated several bereaved piggies of mine at local rescues before I went Tribe, always with good success. Like Suzy has said, if I were you, I'd explore the boar dating option at a good rescue first; that is much cheaper and comes with no risk to you and Junior - he only comes home with a companion if there has been success!

I can warmly recommend contacting Milhaven rescue in Keighley.
http://www.milhaven-rescue.com/
But here is a map with recommendable rescues: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0

Anyway, I would leave your option of neutering only for the case that Junior has not had any success with boar dating. You will need to take care to find a really good and experienced vet in order to minimise the the rather common risks of post op complications that can happen weeks and months after an operation. Junior will also face a full six weeks wait after the operation until he is safe to go with your girls. Please be aware that not necessarily all sows (especially dominant older ones) will actually accept a boar in their group.
Here is more information about neutering and what it involves: http://www.cavyspirit.com/neutering.htm

 

[PottyForPiggies]

Thank you Wiebke, I completely understood the wait post-neutering, which is why I would have waited until I moved house and had the time and space to give him all the care he needs. However I will definitely look back into boar dating him, and will get back in touch with Joanne (who rehomed the beautiful Bernadette into my care! ) to see if there is anyone who might be suitable. It will probably be a little while, both because I know Joanne is dealing with the large rescue and that I have a week's holiday at the end of the month - it will give much more flexibility on both fronts for transport.
I was not as aware of the potential risks of neutering - I know there are some, as with any surgery, but was not fully aware of what they are. Thank you for your support.