I need help bonding

Piggiesadventureonytinstagram

Piggiesadventureonytinstagram

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Hi,I have a 1 year and 1 month old Coronet Named Kaspar and I have a almost 12 month Cali Swiss named Cookie.Both of my pigs are boars,they never seem to get along no matter what.I last tried bonding them a few months ago and at the time had a white crested aswell.It ended up with Kaspar having a permanent scar on his eyelid but since that time my white crested has passed away.He was very chilled and submissive so I'm wondering if thats why they didn't get along.I just want some other pig owner's advice on wether I should try slowly bonding or not,and maybe some advice to help with that bonding.They are about the same size now.kaspar is very tame while Cookie is super skittish.
 
Unfortunately a trio of boars doesn’t tend to work out, especially for those in their teenage months. If one ended up having a scar due to a fallout then unfortunately there’s nothing you can do. They decided they don’t like each other and nothing you can do will change that. They can live as neighbours but you just have to make sure they don’t share any space again. So separate run time, lap time etc.

With bonding, it’s an all or nothing kind of thing, unless one is fear aggressive. There is no slow bonding. I’m sorry they didn’t work out.
 
You say you’ve tried before and they didn’t like each other? Then if so, they won’t change their minds about each other so trying to bond again will most likely fail again. If both Kaspar and Cookie are dominant piggies, then they are not likely to get on.

Three boars together almost always fail in any event. Boars need to be kept in character compatible pairs.

If Kaspar and Cali are not able to form a hierarchy, then they will need to live in separate cages permamently. They can have interaction through the bars only to stop loneliness, but they should not have any physical time together.
 
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Piggies&buns said:
You say you’ve tried before and they didn’t like each other? Then if so, they won’t change their minds about each other so trying to bond again will most likely fail again. If both Kaspar and Cali are dominant piggies, then they are not likely to get on.

Three boars together almost always fail in any event. Boars need to be kept in character compatible pairs.

If Kaspar and Cali are not able to form a hierarchy, then they will need to live in separate cages permamently. They can have interaction through the bars only to stop loneliness, but they should not have any physical time together.
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Thank you just wanted to double check,I'm a new piggie owner you see so I don't really know this kinda thing.
 
Siikibam said:
Unfortunately a trio of boars doesn’t tend to work out, especially for those in their teenage months. If one ended up having a scar due to a fallout then unfortunately there’s nothing you can do. They decided they don’t like each other and nothing you can do will change that. They can live as neighbours but you just have to make sure they don’t share any space again. So separate run time, lap time etc.

With bonding, it’s an all or nothing kind of thing, unless one is fear aggressive. There is no slow bonding. I’m sorry they didn’t work out.
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Well was a trio now a separated duo,thanks
Siikibam said:
Unfortunately a trio of boars doesn’t tend to work out, especially for those in their teenage months. If one ended up having a scar due to a fallout then unfortunately there’s nothing you can do. They decided they don’t like each other and nothing you can do will change that. They can live as neighbours but you just have to make sure they don’t share any space again. So separate run time, lap time etc.

With bonding, it’s an all or nothing kind of thing, unless one is fear aggressive. There is no slow bonding. I’m sorry they didn’t work out.
Click to expand...
Thanks,also it's now technically a separated duo,for my coronet Kaspar(the no aggressive one) would it still be possible to get a baby pig maybe for his buddy,obv watch him for first few days.Its because I've read that adults take no notice in being dominant over babys coz they are small
 
This guide is specific to boars so you may find it useful.

Any bond comes down to character compatibility - one has to be submissive and one dominant for a bond to work. This is why three boars together almost always fails as you generally end up with two wanting to be dominant and those piggies will then fight. Plus, the space requirements to attempt a boar trio are huge and considerably larger than normal cage requirements.

If Kaspar and Cookie are both dominant piggies, then sadly it won’t work out. It’s acceptable for them to live as neighbours going forward. However, it’s best if they could each have their own character compatible friend to live with (either another boar each achieved ideally via boar dating at a rescue centre to ensure compatibility or neutering them both and then after the six week post op wait, having a rescue centre help you find them each a sow to live with). Of course that means having four piggies which would obviously be a big decision.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information
 
Piggies&buns said:
This guide is specific to boars so you may find it useful.

Any bond comes down to character compatibility - one has to be submissive and one dominant for a bond to work. This is why three boars together almost always fails as you generally end up with two wanting to be dominant and those piggies will then fight. Plus, the space requirements to attempt a boar trio are huge and considerably larger than normal cage requirements.

If Kaspar and Cookie are both dominant piggies, then sadly it won’t work out. It’s acceptable for them to live as neighbours going forward. However, it’s best if they could each have their own character compatible friend to live with (either another boar each achieved ideally via boar dating at a rescue centre to ensure compatibility or neutering them both and then after the six week post op wait, having a rescue centre help you find them each a sow to live with). Of course that means having four piggies which would obviously be a big decision.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information
Click to expand...
And what is 'boar dating' ?
 
Piggiesadventureonytinstagram said:
Well was a trio now a separated duo,thanks

Thanks,also it's now technically a separated duo,for my coronet Kaspar(the no aggressive one) would it still be possible to get a baby pig maybe for his buddy,obv watch him for first few days.Its because I've read that adults take no notice in being dominant over babys coz they are small
Click to expand...

Adults do take notice - the baby is not able to challenge for dominance while they are young so the adult generally is the dominant piggy. Although to note - at your piggies ages, they are still just within their teens
While most babies are accepted, it’s not a given. To find a character compatible friend for each piggy, then doing so with the help of a rescue centre so you can get a character compatibility match is best.
An issue can sometimes occur when the baby hits his teens at four months old - he may then start to challenge for dominance which can then break a bond and mean another separation. Not always though - most boars will be absolutely fine and will make it but it is always worth bearing in mind when adopting a baby.
Two boars together need a lot of space - a 180x60cm (6ft x 2ft) cage
 
Piggies&buns said:
Adults do take notice - the baby is not able to challenge for dominance while they are young so the adult generally is the dominant piggy. Although to note - at your piggies ages, they are still just within their teens
While most babies are accepted, it’s not a given. To find a character compatible friend for each piggy, then doing so with the help of a rescue centre so you can get a character compatibility match is best.
An issue can sometimes occur when the baby hits his teens at four months old - he may then start to challenge for dominance which can then break a bond and mean another separation. Not always though - most boars will be absolutely fine and will make it but it is always worth bearing in mind when adopting a baby.
Two boars together need a lot of space - a 180x60cm (6ft x 2ft) cage
Click to expand...
So quickly what in CNC grids is 6ft by 2ft
 
Piggiesadventureonytinstagram said:
And what is 'boar dating' ?
Click to expand...

Where you make arrangements to take your piggy to a rescue centre so he can be tried with another boar to see if they are compatible and able to form a bond before bringing a new piggy home.
if you buy a new piggy from a pet shop, and attempt to bond, then there is a risk the bonding will fail as you won’t know if they are compatible before committing to a new piggy
 
Piggies&buns said:
Where you make arrangements to take your piggy to a rescue centre so he can be tried with another boar to see if they are compatible and able to form a bond before bringing a new piggy home.
if you buy a new piggy from a pet shop, and attempt to bond, then there is a risk the bonding will fail as you won’t know if they are compatible before committing to a new piggy
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I know pet shops are bad,I got Kaspar and Cookie from breeders because there wasn't any rescues we could find near us but we now willing to drive
Piggies&buns said:
So they have a 2x5 each? Or is it one 2x5 cage split in half?
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Split in half but hoping to get bigger one soon they also have a huge playpen,and outdoor run and get a big area to run around on when having floor time(outdoor run when it isn't winter)
 
Piggiesadventureonytinstagram said:
I know pet shops are bad,I got Kaspar and Cookie from breeders because there wasn't any rescues we could find near us but we now willing to drive

Split in half but hoping to get bigger one soon they also have a huge playpen,and outdoor run and get a big area to run around on when having floor time(outdoor run when it isn't winter)
Click to expand...

Then they will definitely need bigger cages each as soon as you can. a 2x5 split in half does not meet size requirements - it means each piggy only has 2 x 2.5 space which is too small. Each piggy should have a 2x3 as a minimum but ideally a 2x4 to themselves while they are single
The playpen does not count towards living space if they arent in it permanently
 
Piggies&buns said:
Then they will definitely need bigger cages each as soon as you can. a 2x5 split in half does not meet size requirements - it means each piggy only has 2 x 2.5 space which is too small. Each piggy should have a 2x3 as a minimum but ideally a 2x4 to themselves while they are single
The playpen does not count towards living space if they arent in it permanently
Click to expand...
Yes I know,I'm just trying to save up for a bigger cage right now,used to be fully open and all 3 got along but when Cookie reached teen he got dominant and then him and Kaspar started fighting and now it's 2 pigs
 
Piggies&buns said:
Then they will definitely need bigger cages each as soon as you can. a 2x5 split in half does not meet size requirements - it means each piggy only has 2 x 2.5 space which is too small. Each piggy should have a 2x3 as a minimum but ideally a 2x4 to themselves while they are single
The playpen does not count towards living space if they arent in it permanently
Click to expand...
Also they go in the playpen at least 1 time every few days and have a big floor time area that they run around in for like 30-45 mins daily,obv seperatly and they can and do go toilet
 
Piggiesadventureonytinstagram said:
Yes I know,I'm just trying to save up for a bigger cage right now,used to be fully open and all 3 got along but when Cookie reached teen he got dominant and then him and Kaspar started fighting and now it's 2 pigs
Click to expand...

That is the problem with a boar trio and why most fail when the piggies hit their teens. Also though a 2x5 wouldn't have been big enough for a boar trio in any event (to attempt a boar trio, they need double that amount of space).


Piggiesadventureonytinstagram said:
Also they go in the playpen at least 1 time every few days and have a big floor time area that they run around in for like 30-45 mins daily,obv seperatly and they can and do go toilet
Click to expand...

Because it isnt part of a permanent living space, it doesn't count.
 
Piggies&buns said:
That is the problem with a boar trio and why most fail when the piggies hit their teens. Also though a 2x5 wouldn't have been big enough for a boar trio in any event (to attempt a boar trio, they need double that amount of space).




Because it isnt part of a permanent living space, it doesn't count.
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Ye I know it doesn't count,and that time when I had three I was almost at the amount of savings I needed for a 3 by 7 but then I had to use it all on vet bills and etc
 
I know you’re not likely to attempt trios, but they need 1 square foot each.

Is there any way you could attach the playpens to the cage so they have permanent access? That would be a quick way to expand their space.
 
Siikibam said:
I know you’re not likely to attempt trios, but they need 1 square foot each.

Is there any way you could attach the playpens to the cage so they have permanent access? That would be a quick way to expand their space.
Click to expand...
Sadly I don't think so,although I could probably make a tunnel leading to one of the playpens on each side so they both had more room
 
Is it one of those foldable ones? Does it have a door somewhere? I think you said they take turns so do you have just the one or you do have two of them?
 
A relatively cheap way of expanding a space is by getting grids from Amazon for example (ensuring they are 9 hole grids) and by using plastic sheeting or a shower curtain as a base of the cage - lay out the plastic and place the grids on it. It saves on the cost of having a proper correx base.
 
In that case do you have the room to set them up so they are side by side and in front of the c&c - one for each. You could remove one grid so there’s access to the pen through the door. You could cable tie the play pen to the c&c grids just to be sure they can’t squeeze out and escape?…
 
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