Older boar and younger Sow

Fiona1987

Fiona1987

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I have recently lost one of my bonded boar piggies which I think left my other one a little depressed.
My remaining one is only 3 1/2 and so I wanted to get him a little friend so not to be lonely and that he’s always had a companion. After some research and talking to others and their experiences we have decided to get a little sow for him rather than a bit incase of bullying.
I've never had any behavioural issues with my boar and he’s extremely relaxed and friendly to the point he’s most happy on your lap or sleeping on your chest.
My issue (or maybe it’s not) is the little sow is so excitable and is craving his attention by following him round and copying whatever he does but he just doesn’t pay her any attention. There’s no fighting or anything like that and he’s happy to let her climb and sleep next to him etc but he’s just not giving her any of his time apart from the odd few sniffs.
I know he’s older and can be a bit lazy but is this normal?
Is he still missing his friend?

I will mention he wasn’t always the most energetic with the older boar but definitely rumbled now and again, groomed each other as well as followed each other round.
 
How old is the sow?
If she is young, then she is simply looking for guidance from an older piggy and its normal for her to follow and copy him - its how youngsters learn.

I assume your boar is neutered (and has been neutered for longer than six weeks)?
 
Fiona1987 said:
I have recently lost one of my bonded boar piggies which I think left my other one a little depressed.
My remaining one is only 3 1/2 and so I wanted to get him a little friend so not to be lonely and that he’s always had a companion. After some research and talking to others and their experiences we have decided to get a little sow for him rather than a bit incase of bullying.
I've never had any behavioural issues with my boar and he’s extremely relaxed and friendly to the point he’s most happy on your lap or sleeping on your chest.
My issue (or maybe it’s not) is the little sow is so excitable and is craving his attention by following him round and copying whatever he does but he just doesn’t pay her any attention. There’s no fighting or anything like that and he’s happy to let her climb and sleep next to him etc but he’s just not giving her any of his time apart from the odd few sniffs.
I know he’s older and can be a bit lazy but is this normal?
Is he still missing his friend?

I will mention he wasn’t always the most energetic with the older boar but definitely rumbled now and again, groomed each other as well as followed each other round.
Click to expand...

Hi!

That sounds very normal to me. The guardian piggy is expressing their different standing in the hierarchy with the relationship currently more that of a teacher leading by example than that of two equal partners. It doesn't say anything about the quality of the bond if an adult at this stage is a bit more stand-offish.
You may find this article series here very interesting: Journey through a Lifetime: The Ages of Guinea Pigs

PS: How long has your boar been neutered for?
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
 
Hello. I’m glad they seem to be getting on. Would love to see some pics if you’d like to share. She sounds so sweet and he sounds wonderful. 😍
 
If your boar is not neutered (and I don’t think he was when you posted on 13th August) or is under 6 weeks post neuter, then you are going to have a population explosion as sure as night follows day. Please be aware that placing an un neutered boar with a sow is classed as intentional breeding
 
defiantly no intentional breeding going on here as two is more than enough for the space I have. Your right he is not neutered as of yet as there wasn’t a need before. However he is booked in for the 3rd of September and will spend 6 weeks after still in separate cages.
They currently are in separate cages and are NEVER together at night.
what we have done so far is introduced them slowly through cages next to each other, through the bars.
in the last couple days we have started supervising them for short periods where they are in a mutual environment so we can see how they get along on the floor and a few times on a table.
 

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Hi,
They really shouldn't be together at all until your boar is 6 weeks post op, even if you are supervising. It just a takes a second for him to get your girl pregnant. Please keep them completely separate until he is safely 6 weeks post his neuter (they can have bar to bar cage interaction until then).
 
If your boar is not neutered then you should not be putting them together, supervised or otherwise. Firstly because it takes a mere second for the action to happen. Trying to separate them during could cause irreparable damage to both. Secondly, you can’t introduce slowly. They need to be together or apart, not putting together then separating. This can actually be stressful for them because it interrupts their bonding and sorting out the hierarchy.

You’ve been well advised above. I would make sure that his cage is secure - in other words, he can’t escape and get in with your sow. Boars can become very determined when there’s a sow in season and within reach. So put a lid on his cage.

PS having them in cages next to each other isn’t really introduction. And it’s also not an indicator of how things can go when you do actually bond them. Hopefully they will get in though. Good luck with the neutering.
 
Siikibam said:
If your boar is not neutered then you should not be putting them together, supervised or otherwise. Firstly because it takes a mere second for the action to happen. Trying to separate them during could cause irreparable damage to both. Secondly, you can’t introduce slowly. They need to be together or apart, not putting together then separating. This can actually be stressful for them because it interrupts their bonding and sorting out the hierarchy.

You’ve been well advised above. I would make sure that his cage is secure - in other words, he can’t escape and get in with your sow. Boars can become very determined when there’s a sow in season and within reach. So put a lid on his cage.

PS having them in cages next to each other isn’t really introduction. And it’s also not an indicator of how things can go when you do actually bond them. Hopefully they will get in though. Good luck with the neutering.
Click to expand...
:agr: Please keep them fully separated at all times until he is safely 6 full weeks post neutering.
And fingers crossed that your sow isn’t already pregnant.
 
I agree.
Please do not allow them to interact physically at all until he is six weeks post neuter.

When you do bond them, you need to do is the right way - that is in a neutral territory bonding pen for several hours and see it through to conclusion (either success and they move in together, or failure and they have to live permanently as neighbours), it still takes a further two weeks of completely living together to fully finalise the details of their relationship.
Putting them together and then separating them multiple times causes a lot of stress as they never get to finish sorting out their relationship and isnt how a bonding should be done.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
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