Introducing 3 boars

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

joanne 1

Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I have a pair of boars and one on his own as his companion died, the pair are about 2 and half years and the lone boar 7 months. They have always lived next to each other but in seperate hutches. Today I began integrating them to see if they could go together. I put them together in the playpen on the grass. there was lots of rumblestrutting and bum sniffing, jumping and running around, I was led to believe they would fight within the first 10 minutes if they were going to? However after being together for about 15 minutes the smaller boar of the pair made himself all round and started rocking from foot to foot and rumbling, he didnt charge but this is a sign of aggression right? In turn the others raised their fur but no rocking. They stayed in the run for about 20 minutes they didnt fight but I think this is beacuse there was enough space to run. So my question is, is it worth continuing each day do you think putting them in the pen together to get used to each other over time, does their behaviour mean putting them in the hutch together would be too risky and I should just give them playtime together each day?
 
Two boars can live together happily but not three as they will fight. I would get the other boar a friend of his own by taking him boar dating so he can choose his own friend. You do not want to put them together and have the bonded pair fall out as this can happen. It is very risky to put three boars together. I would not give them playtime together easily. Guinea pigs need to bond with any other piggy they are introduced to unlike another animal who could just play together as a friend.
 
So far, it sounds like your trio could actually work out; the behaviour seems to stay very much in the mild dominance band. Adult boar trios can work out very well; it really depends on the character mix!

Unlike most baby boar trios that rarely make it intact through the big hormones, trios with mostly stable, laid back adult boars have a much improved chance of forming a stable trio. We have a few members with working adult boar trios on here.

You may find these links about boar behaviour, tips on how to introduce and Suzy's dating thread for single boars (with videos, pictures and practical comments) very helpful. Boar bonding can take a few days until they are "safe". If possible, leave them together in the run until they have settled well together.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?28949-Boars!-Simple-Dominance-Displays-or-Fighting
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...FAQ-Introducing-and-reintroducing-guinea-pigs
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?59233-Boar-Dating-Service-Wales
 
We had the same scenario many years ago, one pair of boys about 4 and 3 in age and then a single (having lost of his friend of about 2). Like you I did intros in a neutral run in the garden, added lots of hay and veggies and kept a close watch on them. Each day I extended the time the boys stayed together and they formed a lovely group and we really fun to watch - so cheeky bless them. You sound like you've made a good start, just take things slowly and see how it goes. You will need a large hutch/pen for the boys to live in and I would make sure they have several water bottles/food bowls etc. Keep us posted.
 
Thank you.x This was my idea to gradually increase the time they spend together, I was also thinking about joining the 2 hutches together by taking out one of the side walls so they have free run of both hutches would this work do you think as long as i clean both cages out thoroughly so both are as neutral as I can make them?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top