Hi. So as I already posted in the past, I have two 3yrs old sows which are bonded and happilly live together and recently I rescued 1 boar (not neutered) also around same age (at least that's what I was told). I am keeping them in separate cages and after getting advise from here, they really don't have direct contact with each other (I don' wanna risk pregnancies). Therefore they take turns to have floor time and during that period I let Benny go around the girls cage and interact with them through the grids. He likes it a lot and one of the girls also seems to be more accepting of him (Pippa) but the other one just continues with theeth clattering and doesn't really seem to like his presence (Lizzy). So I was thinking of changing the cage setup and place them side by side so Benny could interact more but everything he goes near (even through the grids) Lizzy gets upset and attacks Pippa inside their own cage and even if Pippa shows submissive behavior and walks away she continues to persue her. ShouldI leave the cage arrangment like it is (girls bottom cage and boy cage in top) and Benny misses out in more interaction? Or should I go ahead with the plan and eventually they get used to it? PS-I read all the guides but still I am lost with this behaviour from Lizzy. Thanks in advance.
Hi!
From my own experiences, I doubt that Lizzy will ever accept your boy. Adult sows often don't when they are either dominant or fear aggressive. Believe me, I have tried about every trick in the book over the years!
I still have three sow pairs that refuse to accept any of the various neutered boars (new or bereaved) that have been looking for new company, and not for lack of trying. Just over the last week, my newly bereaved Pioden has made the dating round with all of them without success.
From my own experiences, cage juggling won't do the trick either in your case. Once sows have made up their mind, you won't shift them; especially not after such a strong response unless you have months to wait for a 'maybe or maybe not'.
Please leave Lizzy and Pippa together as a stably bonded pair and find Benny his own mate, whether that is another boar or (if he is 6 weeks past a neutering operation and ensuing safety wait), a sow of his own.
Which way you go depends on your access to boar dating rescues or good operating vets; if necessary spend any operation money on a somewhat longer day trip to a good dating rescue and appropriate accommodation instead. Please note that any boar pair needs to live out of reach of sow pheromones.
Going to one of our recommended rescues ensure that you come home only with a companion where acceptance has happened and that is healthy, properly sexed and in the case of a sow, guaranteed not pregnant.
It is better to go on a waiting list wait for a dating slot and do it right than to rush in. Until then, Benny can continue his raids of the girls' cage before you clean it out and he can interact with them through the bars as that doesn't seem to upset the sow bond.
But you will have unfortunately bury your dream of a trio with Lizzy.
