Issues with 2 young Boars

frennan

frennan

New Born Pup
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Hello,

We just recently adopted two young boars, around 6 months and 7months old and everything has been fine until the other night, they started fighting pretty bad and I had to put a divider in their cage. I know some amount of rambunctiousness is normal, but one of them lost a decent chunk of hair from his backside and they were definitely rolling around fighting.

So currently their cage is divided and everything seems to be ok, equal amounts of everything on both sides of the cage, but... I'd prefer to try to get them to coexist again. I've heard a lot of differing opinions on whether or not it will ever work again or not between them. I have a second cage I set up in my living room to house them for cleaning of their regular cage, but I've attempted to use this to reintroduce them to each other and it resulted in teeth chattering and a quick scuffle before I broke it up. I'm just not sure how much to tolerate before breaking them up.

I've attached a picture of the "neutral ground" cage I set up in my living room to try to reintroduce them to each other.


 
Given the rolling ball and chunk taken out the first time, and the teeth chattering and scuffle second time it’s best you call it quits. For whatever reason they don’t like each other anymore.

They’re also in their teenage months which can make bonding difficult in general. When piggies make up their minds there’s no changing it. They will need to live in side by side cages (120x60cm) so they can still have the interaction they need.

Out of interest, when you introduced them did you just remove the divider? And how big was the cage they lived in? How long has they been living together before you brought them home? I’m sorry it didn’t work out. Don’t be discouraged because the majority of boar bonds do work out.
 
Hello! Thanks for the response! In answer to your questions, I'll try to lay it all out below.
  • When I tried to reintroduce them after that initial fight, I put them side by side with that divider for about 30 minutes and then removed it.
  • Their permanent cage was a 2x4 C&C + a 1x4 Balcony going along the top backside of it.
  • They were about 4 and 5 months old when I brought them home originally, so I've had them here for about 3 months with no issue.
Is this hypothetically something we could try again in a year or so? Or once they don't get along, is that the end of the road?
 
Unfortunately just removing the barrier can make matters worse. It’s seen as an invasion of territory. When you reintroduce it has to be devoid of any pig’s smell. Just a pile of hay in the middle. Another thing to note is that laying next to the divider can also be a mark of territory and not necessarily a positive sign.

Although their cage meets the minimum recommended size for two, boars are more territorial and so we recommend minimum 150x60cm or a 2x5 c&c (which is equivalent to 180x60).

How were they behaving in the beginning after the initial two weeks? And had they been together from a young age when you got them? I don’t know whether it’s worth trying to rebond when they’re older.
 
Just gave them both a bath. Put them back into the neutral cage with brand new blankets and no divider.
10 minutes so far so good. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

 
So sorry to hear your boys have fallen out. I’ve been here many a time in the past with my boars. I agree 100% with the advice above, and it is unlikely that they will go back together
 
Please don't bath them unnecessarily. I know you're desperate for them to get on but if they don't like each other then no amount of bathing will change that. With the decision you've made, you need to keep a close eye on them.
 
They had a lot of urine on them after their little fight - I'm not sure if they were marking territory, etc, but they needed to be cleaned up a bit, hence the bath.

Anyway - update - it's definitely a no-go. Soooo going to have to wrap my head around figuring out how to fit two cages into my little apartment. :(

Hypothetically, would it be better to take one to a shelter to do "dating" to see if he might be able to find a better match? Are they still too young for that? My original thought was maybe I could "trade" one guinea in so that both will be happier, but then i'd have to figure out who to chose and thats no good either :no:
 
Bathing them wouldn't have changed their characters and the fact that they don't get on. For a working bond you need a top pig and underpig. They can't both be top pig, which is possibly what may have been the case here. One has to back down for the relationship to work.

The best way to find them a friend now is for them to go dating. Buying a piggy on spec can leave you in the same situation as you're in now. At least with dating they will chose their own friend. As mentioned before boars are more territorial so need more space. So before you think about taking them dating you need to increase the size of the cage. A way to keep them both would be for you to take them dating and put them with their new friends in a stacked cage. C&C cages are fab for that. When my four lived inside, I had them in a stacked C&C cage.

Just be aware that as they're in their teens, it may take a few goes for them to find someone they like. Another alternative could be to neuter them both and then find them a sow each after 6 weeks. Whatever you choose to do, they need to live side by side in the meantime, in a 2x4 (120x60cm) cage. Their interaction is about more than physical presence - they use smell and body language as well.

All the best with your decision. I can understand the attachment and not wanting to give one up! Finances (I know vet fees are much higher in the US) may help make the decision 'easier' for you.
 
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