Loving his new toy!

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Iceprincessx

Iceprincessx

Junior Guinea Pig
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I have loved reading this forum particularly different ideas to keep Barnum happy after loosing his cage friend! He particularly enjoyed the box filled with hay! Some rescues have said to see how he goes before trying boar dating so not really sure what to do but at the moment he's enjoying all the enrichment activities here's his picture!

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We put a rolled up large sock in the cage with Wallace when we lost his brother, this worked with him. No need for sock now though, he's got a new forever friend, Tim. You should go for Boar dating, the change in Wallace is amazing. :))
 
I was hoping to do boar dating but the rescue that replied to me said "boars are often ok by themselves see how he goes".
 
Iceprincessx said:
I was hoping to do boar dating but the rescue that replied to me said "boars are often ok by themselves see how he goes".
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I would definitely recommend boar dating, as most boars can be found a new friend and he will be a much happier piggy! We took Rosie sow dating and she is loving having 3 new friends to play with.
I would also try a different rescue, as they shouldn't be recommending that it is alright for boars to remain single.
Where about are you based? We could help recommend a piggy bank rescue that does boar dating close to you.

Edit:Sorry- just seen your location. You are on the Wirral, so not far from me. Unfortunately there isn't many recommended rescues in our area, my nearest was the Potteries in Stoke on Trent. It took me an hour to get there but was definitely worth it. If you can travel I would highly recommend contacting Helen.

x
 
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That's what I thought as everything you read on here says they need a friend and he's also has always been with his brother until he died 2 weeks ago. I have emailed potteries but haven't had a reply but I know they are very busy at the moment!
 
Iceprincessx said:
That's what I thought as everything you read on here says they need a friend and he's also has always been with his brother until he died 2 weeks ago. I have emailed potteries but haven't had a reply but I know they are very busy at the moment!
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Yeah they are. Helen will get back to you soon I expect, with whether she can help at present. She may not have any single boars at the moment but she will let you know when she has. I think they have alot of boar pairs at the moment and a couple of neutered boys ready for girlfriends. I hope you do find him a friend :)
Just to be nosey, as you live so close, where about on the Wirral are you from? ?/ You don't have to tell me if you don't want to :)
 
No be as nosy as you like! I live in port sunlight. It's nice to know someone so close! Are you going to the meet at potteries?
 
Iceprincessx said:
No be as nosy as you like! I live in port sunlight. It's nice to know someone so close! Are you going to the meet at potteries?
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Oh I know Port Sunlight! It's pretty :) Yeah I'm going to the meet up, I'm taking my mum along too as she loves that type of thing :) I'm hoping to bring two of my girls along, in my cage I got from ebay as I don't want them stuck in carriers all day ( space permitting of course)
 
I'm taking my mum too! Lol I can't decide whether to take Barnum as he's never been in the car since he was brought home don't want to take him if it stresses him out!
 
Iceprincessx said:
I'm taking my mum too! Lol I can't decide whether to take Barnum as he's never been in the car since he was brought home don't want to take him if it stresses him out!
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Rosie is 6 years old and when we went to the Potteries in May, it was the first time she had been in the car, aside from short vets trips. She coped fine and has been on several more trips since. As long as they have lots of hay and watery veg like cucumber they are fine on hour journeys. Obviously you would need to bring food and water etc if you came to the meet. If you let him have some grass (or other veggies) before you set off he is likely to be sleepy and stay calm through the journey.
 
Will probably bring him he deserves a day out thank you for the advice!
 
I am so confused have spoken to 2 rescues about finding him a mate 1 said "boars generally do fine on their own" and the one today said "boars can't be rehomedtogether they fight, he needs to be neutered". Really don't know what to do as if I do get him a friend I want the support of a rescue in terms of bonding as I don't feel I have the expertise to do that but no rescue wants to do that! He is fine if he's in his cage or with me, still eating. Ht put him in a new indoor run today and he got really distressed and wanted to come out! So he's obviously not as confident on his own!
 
Iceprincessx said:
I am so confused have spoken to 2 rescues about finding him a mate 1 said "boars generally do fine on their own" and the one today said "boars can't be rehomedtogether they fight, he needs to be neutered". Really don't know what to do as if I do get him a friend I want the support of a rescue in terms of bonding as I don't feel I have the expertise to do that but no rescue wants to do that! He is fine if he's in his cage or with me, still eating. Ht put him in a new indoor run today and he got really distressed and wanted to come out! So he's obviously not as confident on his own!
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I wouldn't listen to what those rescues have said, alot of people are still under the impression that 2 boars can't live together. However that is not the case, many rescues and forum members have had great sucess with boar dating and it is one of suzygpr's passions with her rescue in south Wales.
As for the neutering point, it will not calm a boars sexual nature or aggression towards another boar, it will just enable him to live with a female ( but he won't be able to get her pregnant)

It may be worth getting a soft toy to pop in his cage for the time being, make sure its eyes are stitched not buttons, i know some people have done this for their bereaved piggies until they can find a suitable friend!

Hope that helps
x
 
I know but I don't know where to turn next in terms of getting him a friend as no where seems to want to help! But I will give him a stuffed toy until I eventually find someone to help!
 
Iceprincessx said:
I know but I don't know where to turn next in terms of getting him a friend as no where seems to want to help! But I will give him a stuffed toy until I eventually find someone to help!
Click to expand...

I know some people have also had success using a rolled sock which their piggies can curl up to!
 
Many people and rescues/breeders/petshops are under the impression that the only way for boars to find friend is by neutering, or they have to live alone. If they don't believe adult males can live happily together then they don't know piggies very well or just have never bothered to try.

I do adult boar dating week in, week out. I usually have a 6 week waiting list for space on the boar dating service, so lots of people are realising that piggies need never live alone for long.

I would advise you to speak to Helen, a chat at the meet or before if she has time, will set your mind at rest I'm sure. Whether it will be an adult or a baby will depend on the rescue concerned and availability.

In the meantime give him lots of attention, a cuddly toy to snuggle with (and take dating with him), change the lay out and furniture within the cage regularly as this helps him settle in quickly when he goes dating which makes the whole thing a lot easier - a stressed piggy is harder to bond.

If another person tells you that he should remain alone you can tell them they are talking out of their backside and to get an education where piggies are concerned. Gahhhh!

For an idea of how dating works have a nosey through the Boar Dating Service thread - it charts lots of dates http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59233

HTH

Suzy x
 
Suzy thanks for the advice. I have emailed Helen a few days ago but I know she is probably busy! Its so hard when you know the right thing but can't get anyone to listen! I was told I was lucky he lived apply with his brother for 3 years without any fights! I've been rotating his toys, adding new things such as cereal boxes with hay and giving him lots of snuggles! However put him in his pen today and he was very stressed so in the end I put him back in his cage after a cuddle!
 
Hiyah, Helen has posted on facebook that they are on hold for a couple of days as they have things going on, i am pretty sure she will contact you as soon as she can, dont give up on The Potteries x

ps/ see you at the meet :(|)
 
If you can't find a rescue you may have success with a baby boar, look into this. Altho youd have to be able to take him back if it doesn't work out so be careful. I am in a similar position to you with a recently bereaved boy & if I can't find him an adult friend that's what I'm going to do - as I can't bare the thought of having him neutered.

My boy has a teddy, but totally ignores it...
 
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