Mixing old boar and old sow

[Hairy]

Quick back story: My old boar lost his life long brother and companion after almost 5 years. He's been lonely ever since, alone in the double cage. While still eating and weighing 1060 grams, his appetite for veggies less ferocious as it used to be.

Desperate to find a new friend, the only option available (other than a new/young piggie) was a 5 year old sow about 3 hours drive away. She lives with 2 younger sows, but the owner wants to get rid of all of them and was willing to split the old sow because it will have new company with my boar and other people didn't want her as part of the package.

Now I'm mostly concerned about them breeding because that's dangerous for senior sows. But wouldn't they stop being fertile after so many years? It would be equivalent to a very old woman! I'm skeptical of neutering my boar at this age. And he is so lonely now, there are no other options available to me.

 

[Guineapigfeet]

Unfortunately sows remain fertile until the end, as do boars, so they would have to remain separate at all times but they could live side by side with contact through the bars, which is better than nothing!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Both boars and sows remain fertile for their entire lives so he cannot live with a sow unless he is neutered.
If you take on this sow, then they will need to live in separate but side by side cages so they can communicate through the bars but never have any physical contact. You would have to be sure his cage is secure so he cannot try to escape and get in with her.

 

[Hairy]

Ok that's possible because currently I have removed one wall of bars that would be between.

How risky is it to neuter an (almost) 5 year old boar?

 

[Piggies&buns]

There is, of course, a risk with any surgery but It depends on the experience of your vet and your piggy’s general health. You would have to discuss it with your vet

 

[Hairy]

Thanks all, ever helpful!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Do be aware that if you do neuter him, then you must wait for six weeks after surgery before you bond him with a sow, as he will still remain fertile for the first six weeks after surgery

 

[Wiebke]

Quick back story: My old boar lost his life long brother and companion after almost 5 years. He's been lonely ever since, alone in the double cage. While still eating and weighing 1060 grams, his appetite for veggies less ferocious as it used to be.

Desperate to find a new friend, the only option available (other than a new/young piggie) was a 5 year old sow about 3 hours drive away. She lives with 2 younger sows, but the owner wants to get rid of all of them and was willing to split the old sow because it will have new company with my boar and other people didn't want her as part of the package.

Now I'm mostly concerned about them breeding because that's dangerous for senior sows. But wouldn't they stop being fertile after so many years? It would be equivalent to a very old woman! I'm skeptical of neutering my boar at this age. And he is so lonely now, there are no other options available to me.

Hi!

There is no menopause and no end date to fertily in guinea pigs of either gender unfortunately.

You can keep the sow as a next door neighbour with interaction through the bars but they won't ever be able to meet in pigson unless one party is safely de-sexed and has passed their post-op waiting period. I know personally of a 9 years sow dying trying to give birth to single large baby in my close neighbourhood back in my childhood; it has obviously stuck in my mind. In 5 years old sows you can usually feel very relieved if the mother survives birth or a miscarriage but most babies usually won't have much of a chance.

Guinea pigs are laid out for an average life span of ca. 3 years so there has not been the biological need to find a solution for ending fertility. Sow specific health issues like ovarian cysts and other issues with the reproductive tract are pretty much all the result of the very recent switch to a longer life span with female hormones running on full tilt until death.

You may find these links here helpful:
- Guinea Pig Facts - An Overview
- Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (includes a chapter on bereaved guinea pigs and companionship with interaction through the bars as a possible option)
- Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

 

[Hairy]

Thanks all! I picked up a 5 year old sow today. It was a 3-4 hour drive each way, but it was worth it. A bars wall effectively separates them between the cages. Gave them a 15 min introduction on the floor to have a sniff on each other together with veggies. My 5 year old boar was mostly interested in eating, but he was a lot more curious towards sounds and smell from the neighbor cage afterwards. Next up is scheduling neutering operation at my vet, then 6 painful weeks to have them separated.

 

[Siikibam]

So glad to hear you found a lady friend for him. But please do not put them together at all, even under supervision. It only takes a few seconds.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Sounds like you have made a good decision for your old chap, neutering is really quite a minor surgical procedure and if his health is good then he could still enjoy a couple more good years or more with his new lady friend after his 6 week post op wait. @Bill & Ted had a bereaved boar neutered at a similar age very successfully, and he lived out his final months with 2 gorgeous ladies by his side!

 

[Hairy]

Thanks again all!

They both seem healthy with good weight above 1kg and appetite. Today I got an appointment for the vet scheduled next monday! So in 7 weeks they can live the rest of their lives together I have a very strong feeling they will be comfortable and happy together.

I don't want more guinea pigs after these and however painful it is to see them die (preferably of old age), these will be my last. Even if one dies before the other, the last of them would have to live in solitude. I hope they can live for 1-3 more years. Guinea pigs are awesome animals but it's also a cost in time, money and work. This is something I am determined to investigate for the animals I have, but decided I don't want to investigate in continuing after they die.

 

[Hairy]

The recently acquired female is mostly hiding, I think she is shocked after being moved. She was separated from her herd consisting of 2 younger females, maybe even lost the status as the queen? But she accepts veggies with ferocity so I have a good feeling she will be comfortable after some time.

 

[Hairy]

They are now (happily?) united! So many weeks in solitute. First pictures is the cage setup when divided. Then floor time divided. Finally united.

 

[Hairy]

Loads of rumblestrutting each day now. The male (light hair) is very ongoing. The female (dark hair) is very dismissive, still has a lot of fear and hides mostly in her house. I hope she will feel more comfortable after a while.

 

[Hairy]

Here is a video of the first meeting:
Public

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw beautiful photos, yes my old boar Ted lost his brother, we managed to get him neutered by an excellent vet and he spent his last year with Ginger and Posh. Teddied just before his sixth birthday, but had a very happy time with his ladies, they adored him They will be good company for each other either as neighbours or livingin the same cage if your boar is neutered x

 

[Wiebke]

They are now (happily?) united! So many weeks in solitute. First pictures is the cage setup when divided. Then floor time divided. Finally united.

This is normal behaviour for a boar meeting a sow. In my own experience, boars are either 'rumble-singers' or mountaineers' in how they woo or rather dominate their wives; especially in the weeks following a bonding.
Brace for a strong season with lots of drama, which will help to bond them even more closely. Make sure that you only have houses and tunnels with two exits for the next 2-3 weeks.

You may find these links here helpful in knowing what is going on. PLEASE do not interfere. No piggy will be harmed!
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (see especially cross gender bonding and dominance phase)
A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

 

[Hairy]

Haha so much drama. Imagine humans acting like that in the grocery store, accidentally bumping into someone results in surprised jump and fists raised. Or standing in the queue, frantically screaming while the next person in the line pushes you on the bum.

Thanks for replies and tips. I noticed the term "blocking", this is something the boar enjoys with great patience. Sitting on the bridge between the cages or otherwise blocking hay. I thought she was afraid and wanted to encourage here to go out of her house to eat, but now I feed here next to the house so he can't block her. Kinda rude!

 

[Wiebke]

Haha so much drama. Imagine humans acting like that in the grocery store, accidentally bumping into someone results in surprised jump and fists raised. Or standing in the queue, frantically screaming while the next person in the line pushes you on the bum.

Thanks for replies and tips. I noticed the term "blocking", this is something the boar enjoys with great patience. Sitting on the bridge between the cages or otherwise blocking hay. I thought she was afraid and wanted to encourage here to go out of her house to eat, but now I feed here next to the house so he can't block her. Kinda rude!

He is likely just somewhat insecure in himself at this stage, not having expected to come out on top. You have done the right thing to offer hay in two places.

Piggy social interaction can be much more direct and not always fall under what we humans understand as the relatively new concept of political correctness (although there are some very suble cavy operators around); they have to spell it all ot whereas we humans can get by with just implying (although sadly not all humans, either).