Is it safe to move my old boar to a new apartment?

[Bartholomew]

Hello. I have two pairs of boars. When I moved away from home, I only brought one pair initially and left the other pair with my mom (she lives close by so I could easily still care for them and my apartment is a studio, so I figured they wouldn't have enough room if I brought all four.) My oldest guinea pig is almost five and has developed arthritis, so he needs a lot more care now, and my mother has just broken her leg. Now, I can still take care of all fours basic needs, like cleaning, feeding, medicine but giving them enough attention and love beyond that is a bit difficult. I have solved my space issue. I have a large stacked C&C cage, and an indoor pen that I'm thinking they will take turns getting to play in. But I have heard that a move can be very dangerous for piggies, especially with health issues and then on top of that, he will have to live in the same room as two other piggies that he does not know very well. I'm concerned about his health, and would like to know if anyone else has any similar experiences? And just generally other peoples opinion, is it safer to let him stay with my mom, where I will of course do my best, but where all four might not get that much attention beyond necessities, or do you think it will be okay to move him over?

Extra information that might be relevant. His arthritis is quite advanced, but he is doing really well with his medicine. Him and his cage mate have a very strong bond (they have never had any serious squabbles) but do exhibit a lot of chasing behaviour, which has gotten a bit worse after his arthritis.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you

 

[Posyrose]

I haven't any detailed advice but I and people here have transported piggies quite long distances by car and train and they have always been ok. I hope the move goes well and they all love the new flat.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Guinea pigs do move with their humans. I've never heard that that's dangerous. I think it's not really the move as such you're worried about, it's more like a bonding question?

It's too complicated for me though, hope some of the forum experts will be along in a few hours.

 

[weepweeps]

I hope your mum is soon on the mend.

As with any move in location there will probably be a 2 week period of unrest and sorting out the hierarchy again. If their bond is fragile at the moment because of illness (arthritis) then it could cause them to fight and break their bond. But they may also be fine with the move.

Being moved into a room with two other boars could also upset their bonds and they may not like to share the play area either as it will smell of them all. But again it will all depend on their personalities.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Moving is not dangerous per se.

A change in environment will mean they need to reestablish their bond in a new territory. In well bonded pairs it doesn’t cause any problem, just a bit of dominance.
If there are any underlying issues in a bond then it can cause more significant problems.
However you can mitigate it but using the soiled bedding again once you have moved them. Basically you want the new cage set up to smell the same as before they moved so they still recognise it as their own territory

It is absolutely fine to keep two pairs of boars in the same room. That will not affect them.
They will be interested to smell other piggies but it won’t cause bond related problems.
It is adding sows into a boar room which can cause serious problems.
I have kept two sets of boars in my shed before now.

Reacting to group or territorial changes: Dominance and group establishment/re-establishment

 

[Bartholomew]

I hope your mum is soon on the mend.

As with any move in location there will probably be a 2 week period of unrest and sorting out the hierarchy again. If their bond is fragile at the moment because of illness (arthritis) then it could cause them to fight and break their bond. But they may also be fine with the move.

Being moved into a room with two other boars could also upset their bonds and they may not like to share the play area either as it will smell of them all. But again it will all depend on their personalities.

Thank you

 

[Bartholomew]

Moving is not dangerous per se.

A change in environment will mean they need to reestablish their bond in a new territory. In well bonded pairs it doesn’t cause any problem, just a bit of dominance.
If there are any underlying issues in a bond then it can cause more significant problems.
However you can mitigate it but using the soiled bedding again once you have moved them. Basically you want the new cage set up to smell the same as before they moved so they still recognise it as their own territory

It is absolutely fine to keep two pairs of boars in the same room. That will not affect them.
They will be interested to smell other piggies but it won’t cause bond related problems.
It is adding sows into a boar room which can cause serious problems.
I have kept two sets of boars in my shed before now.

Reacting to group or territorial changes: Dominance and group establishment/re-establishment

Thank you, I feel reassured