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Neutered boys

  • Thread starter Thread starter LesaC
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LesaC

I've thought several times about looking for a neutered boar to complete my piggy family. When I brought Whiskey home I had decided that if he didn't bond with any of my pairs of boys, which I knew was a strong possibility, then I had the option of having him neutered and letting him live with the girls. He seems to have settled in fine with Scrumpy and Chocolate and hoping it remains that way.

Now I'm wondering - do I keep eyes opened for a neutered boar, and would love to know how those of you with neutered boys find they get on with the girls, or do I just be very grateful for what I have and leave my options open so that if the trio were to fall apart I would still have options for Whiskey.

What are your experiences with neutered boys and would it make any difference that Sally and Holly are the matriarchs of my girls?
 
My Llewelyn lives with four girls right now - soon to be more.

I wouldn't have my group without him, frankly, because he has been invaluable as my "integrator" of new girls!

In the wild, a group of sows live together with one prime male. He has to make sure that he stays in favour with all sows and operates outside of the female hierarchy. Adding a neutered male won't disturb the hierarchy. Quite often, he functions as peacemaker, as tensions are regularly released when girls are in season. I have also watched Llewelyn entering a fray and expertly splitting two "handbagging" sows.

In forums on the continent, is is strongly recommended to add a neutered boar to a pair, or even better, a group of females; but then neutering of adult as well as baby boars is far more of a common and accepted practice than over here. It is also being claimed that having a male in the group reduces the occurrance of ovarian cysts.
 
Lesa I'm the same as you. i am very strongly thinking about getting a boar too. I love the point by Weibke that it would be stabilising and more natural for the herd. I'm all for that but still undecided what to do. I am not sure I want to add to my numbers and my girls all get on so well.

Its very tempting though I have to say.
 
Hi. Can't help with the herd problem but I strongly believe in having a neutered boy in with females. My two boys have never been happier than when I got them neutered and got them girl friends. I must add I didn't do it lightly they fell out so were on their own!

Anyway bothy the girls and the boys seem so happy I wouldn't have it any other way. You have to be prepared for the loud mating sessions though when the girls are on heat!
 
Is it really loud? Also when they do mate how long does it go on for?

I know if I did do it to expect alot of action at the start but after that?

Also if I got a boy and put him in with the 6 he's going to be mating lots right but if I put him in with the pair it will be less?
 
Thanks for allthe info. Some good points.

I knew a boy couldn't be put in with a girl for 6 weeks after neutering and that he would still try and mate at the start but didn't realise he would still always have the urge, good to know but he'll need to be a strong boy to keep up with 10 girls!

My next question is is their an age of neutered boy you would recommend?

I'm very strongly considering this but not sure if I'll be able to find one. The reason I have 3+1 Becklen and Sokel piggys is that rescues are hard to come across here and even more so when looking for specific piggys. So I was thrilled to be able to help give a permanent home to some piggys from the mainland where so many rescues.
 
My Llewelyn was about 1 year old when Dizzy chose him over two other neutered boars of a few months old. But I don't think that age matters, as long as the boy is fit to have the op by an experienced vet.

The introduction can be downright mad, not only LOUD but SMELLY like you wouldn't believe it!

Matings ARE loud, but it also depends on how vocal and dramatic the girl is. Things calm down a lot after the first few seasons. There might be the occasional flare up of hormones, but even that should get less and less. Llewelyn hasn't had one in months now; but of course he is a lot busier now than with elderly Dizzy!

The good thing is that cross gender pairings - when they take - are very stable. I have not heard of any permanent fall-outs in long term groups.

I have heard of some few cases when a boy was initially rejected by a very dominant matriarch in an established larger group or by the very occasional antisocial sow.
 
Lisajazz said:
Also when they do mate how long does it go on for?
Click to expand...

I have a neutered boar, Jaffa, in with my girls and while the 'flirting' might go on a bit, but trust me, once he gets lucky the dirty deed doesn't take long

The funniest thing I ever saw was when Jaffa finally got Snowy cornered in their 'igloo'. Jaffa's bum was still sticking out and it was pretty obvious that he was going for it. He lasted about 10 seconds (if that!) then came out, flumped on his cushion and promptly fell asleep. How like a man! rolleyes
 
linden said:
i have a neutered boar, jaffa, in with my girls and while the 'flirting' might go on a bit, but trust me, once he gets lucky the dirty deed doesn't take long

the funniest thing i ever saw was when jaffa finally got snowy cornered in their 'igloo'. Jaffa's bum was still sticking out and it was pretty obvious that he was going for it. He lasted about 10 seconds (if that!) then came out, flumped on his cushion and promptly fell asleep. How like a man! Rolleyes
Click to expand...

that made me laugh so much :)):))
 
Linden said:
I have a neutered boar, Jaffa, in with my girls and while the 'flirting' might go on a bit, but trust me, once he gets lucky the dirty deed doesn't take long

The funniest thing I ever saw was when Jaffa finally got Snowy cornered in their 'igloo'. Jaffa's bum was still sticking out and it was pretty obvious that he was going for it. He lasted about 10 seconds (if that!) then came out, flumped on his cushion and promptly fell asleep. How like a man! rolleyes
Click to expand...

:)):)):))

I have noticed that the girl coming into season is sticking close to Llewelyn for about a day beforehand, but once things have settled, you only get the occasional little chase/mating over a couple of hours, but that is all (unless, of course, it's my drama queen Telyn!)
 
Wiebke said:
:)):)):))

I have noticed that the girl coming into season is sticking close to Llewelyn for about a day beforehand
Click to expand...

Flirty girls :<>

The thought of finding a boy already neutered does really appeal, especially after reading these posts and am such a wimp about the thought of putting Whiskey through the op. Mind you if he falls out with the other 2 and I have already found a neutered male that would mean looking for a male friend for Whiskey and yet another cavy home. My husband would leave!
 
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