Introducing Two Boars Following A Death

[Froggerella]

I know there's a pinned thread on bereaved pigs, but I was hoping to get some personalised advice - I hope this is ok.

One of my older boars, Rubix, passed away at the weekend after a long illness (which does not appear to have been infectious - he'd been losing weight for a while, the vet had seen him a few times, no suggestion of being contagious). As a result, his hutchmate, Cube (also an older boar) is now alone. I'm well aware that Cube may be grieving Rubix, and don't want to stress him out unnecessarily at present.

However, I also know that Cube will likely be lonely. I have another, younger boar who currently lives alone (next door to his mother and sister, to try and reduce his loneliness). Ideally, I'd like for Cube and this younger boar, Etch, to live together now. They've met before, when I've had them both out in a room to run around. They both seem wary of each other when they meet, and tend to give each other a wide berth, often chattering their teeth and running away if they come too close to each other. I've kept it so that they've had the run of a whole room on purpose, to allow them their space from each other in the past.

Now, though, I'm looking for the best way to get them more used to each other, so that they'll hopefully live peacefully in the same hutch together. With Cube's bereavement also in mind in this case, does anyone have any tips?

As it's likely relevant, I have no reason to believe that Cube should be isolated due to potential illness - as previously mentioned, Rubix's illness did not at any point appear to be contagious. Cube has kept the same weight for the last few months while Bix was losing his weight, and has appeared perfectly healthy throughout. Furthermore, Cube and Etch have 'socialised' together in a large room a few times over the last few months, no sign of illness from either.

 

[SunshinePiggy]

I know there's a pinned thread on bereaved pigs, but I was hoping to get some personalised advice - I hope this is ok.

One of my older boars, Rubix, passed away at the weekend after a long illness (which does not appear to have been infectious - he'd been losing weight for a while, the vet had seen him a few times, no suggestion of being contagious). As a result, his hutchmate, Cube (also an older boar) is now alone. I'm well aware that Cube may be grieving Rubix, and don't want to stress him out unnecessarily at present.

However, I also know that Cube will likely be lonely. I have another, younger boar who currently lives alone (next door to his mother and sister, to try and reduce his loneliness). Ideally, I'd like for Cube and this younger boar, Etch, to live together now. They've met before, when I've had them both out in a room to run around. They both seem wary of each other when they meet, and tend to give each other a wide berth, often chattering their teeth and running away if they come too close to each other. I've kept it so that they've had the run of a whole room on purpose, to allow them their space from each other in the past.

Now, though, I'm looking for the best way to get them more used to each other, so that they'll hopefully live peacefully in the same hutch together. With Cube's bereavement also in mind in this case, does anyone have any tips?

As it's likely relevant, I have no reason to believe that Cube should be isolated due to potential illness - as previously mentioned, Rubix's illness did not at any point appear to be contagious. Cube has kept the same weight for the last few months while Bix was losing his weight, and has appeared perfectly healthy throughout. Furthermore, Cube and Etch have 'socialised' together in a large room a few times over the last few months, no sign of illness from either.

In My Opinion you should actually do a Proper Introduction with the Piggies and when you do you don't separate them unless a Serious Problem Happens. So you should choose a day where you can be with them for a Very Long Time. Also Clean out the Cage I'm not sure if there are any other things maybe @Wiebke has other ideas she's the expert at these topics . Anyway if you do Introduce them I with you Luck!

 

[Tiamolly123]

Unless you bring the 2 in for the winter it could be difficult. To bring them in for bonding & then to put them back in the cold, is not good because of the differing temperatures.
Also you need to have them in your sight, if they were, outside without very close supervision could be asking for trouble. The chattering between the boars is normal?

 

[Froggerella]

They’re both already inside for winter, albeit in different rooms because of space issues with the cages/indoor hutch.

 

[Tiamolly123]

They’re both already inside for winter, albeit in different rooms because of space issues with the cages/indoor hutch.

It's a shame you can't get the cages beside each other, that's part of the bonding, chatting to each other through the bars. If you need more room just throw the sofa out. It's an unnecessary piece of furniture whereas the piggys are vital, to your wellbeing.

 

[Wiebke]

I know there's a pinned thread on bereaved pigs, but I was hoping to get some personalised advice - I hope this is ok.

One of my older boars, Rubix, passed away at the weekend after a long illness (which does not appear to have been infectious - he'd been losing weight for a while, the vet had seen him a few times, no suggestion of being contagious). As a result, his hutchmate, Cube (also an older boar) is now alone. I'm well aware that Cube may be grieving Rubix, and don't want to stress him out unnecessarily at present.

However, I also know that Cube will likely be lonely. I have another, younger boar who currently lives alone (next door to his mother and sister, to try and reduce his loneliness). Ideally, I'd like for Cube and this younger boar, Etch, to live together now. They've met before, when I've had them both out in a room to run around. They both seem wary of each other when they meet, and tend to give each other a wide berth, often chattering their teeth and running away if they come too close to each other. I've kept it so that they've had the run of a whole room on purpose, to allow them their space from each other in the past.

Now, though, I'm looking for the best way to get them more used to each other, so that they'll hopefully live peacefully in the same hutch together. With Cube's bereavement also in mind in this case, does anyone have any tips?

As it's likely relevant, I have no reason to believe that Cube should be isolated due to potential illness - as previously mentioned, Rubix's illness did not at any point appear to be contagious. Cube has kept the same weight for the last few months while Bix was losing his weight, and has appeared perfectly healthy throughout. Furthermore, Cube and Etch have 'socialised' together in a large room a few times over the last few months, no sign of illness from either.

Hi!
Keep the boys cages next to each other for mutual stimulation and interaction round the clock or keep them in a divided indoors run for a few days in the run up to formal introductions. Whether they can live together or not is between them. There is no magic wand that can make them for the long term - they either find that they want to be together or not when the chips are down. Guinea pigs are a lot like humans. You can't make everybody in an arranged marriage fall in love or even get on wth each other, either.

Once you have committed to a formal bonding, you have to sit it out without interfering and if necessary leave the boys in the bonding pen overnight unless there are fights or there is truly incessant humping by one piggy that is stressing out the other to the degree it cannot sleep, drink or eat undisturbed. If you separate, the boys have to start back from square one again. Ideally you do this on a weekend when you have two days to allow them time to settle down together first in the bonding pen and then in the cleaned and joined cage.
Please take the time to read this guide here; it contains more links and talks you in detail through the whole bonding process, which can last for over two weeks in all.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics