Is this a bonding fail?

Chloe.123

Chloe.123

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi, as some of you may know I lost one of my boars Bilbo leaving behind Merlin.

A friend of mine had a single boar that unfortunately she became allergic to and after i told her about the loss of Bilbo asked if we would like to try them together.

I put them in the run together yesterday and Merlin to be honest couldn't have cared less that he was there, didn't really provide any interaction other than moving away when the new boar got a bit 'over friendly' and started humping and chasing him. This settled down and after a few hours I put them in a fully cleaned hutch and all seemed well. Unfortunately this morning there is prolonged loud teeth chattering with some chasing and the new boar is yawning at Merlin. Should I separate and accept that this has failed or leave them a bit longer?

Thanks

(I know I didnt rescue straight away but wanted to try)
 
Chloe.123 said:
Hi, as some of you may know I lost one of my boars Bilbo leaving behind Merlin.

A friend of mine had a single boar that unfortunately she became allergic to and after i told her about the loss of Bilbo asked if we would like to try them together.

I put them in the run together yesterday and Merlin to be honest couldn't have cared less that he was there, didn't really provide any interaction other than moving away when the new boar got a bit 'over friendly' and started humping and chasing him. This settled down and after a few hours I put them in a fully cleaned hutch and all seemed well. Unfortunately this morning there is prolonged loud teeth chattering with some chasing and the new boar is yawning at Merlin. Should I separate and accept that this has failed or leave them a bit longer?

Thanks

(I know I didnt rescue straight away but wanted to try)
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It doesn't sound very promising although the new boar is clearly not winning the leadership contest and is on the defense. Have you given the two boars time to get to know each other through the bars before bonding. Dominance is always much stronger when the pair moves into the terrority of one side, especially where acceptance has been a bit hesitant/questionable.

Give them more time in the bonding area to see whether they can settle the issue or not and make sure that you also have time to observe them in the hutch.
 
Yes they had time through the bars. Thanks, I'll give them more time together. I've been checking on them often and I don't know if something has happened in between my checks, but all seems fine at the moment, and there has only been rumble strutting and they were sleeping next to each other when I checked them a few minutes ago so 🤞 it's all ok
 
Chloe.123 said:
Yes they had time through the bars. Thanks, I'll give them more time together. I've been checking on them often and I don't know if something has happened in between my checks, but all seems fine at the moment, and there has only been rumble strutting and they were sleeping next to each other when I checked them a few minutes ago so 🤞 it's all ok
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Fingers firmly crossed!
 
Everything still seems to be going ok 😁 20190914_172938.webp

Something I wanted to ask about is Merlin will forcefully push Hugo (the new one) out of the way, sometimes with what looks/sounds like a nip or bite, is this a dominance thing? To show hes top boar?
Thanks x
 
Sometimes piggies make a shriek, which sounds like they are being bitten but it’s just a submissive call saying it’s ok I’m no threat to you! Keep a keen eye on them both and make sure they are both getting their share of food x
 
Bill & Ted said:
Sometimes piggies make a shriek, which sounds like they are being bitten but it’s just a submissive call saying it’s ok I’m no threat to you! Keep a keen eye on them both and make sure they are both getting their share of food x
Click to expand...
Ok thank you, he seems to know to move away when this happens and doesn't push back. They both seem to be getting a good share of food but I will continue to watch them x
 
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