Pairs for a single sow

Lauren138

Lauren138

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Hi all, do you think it's possible to bond an older sow with a neutered boar? I've only ever had sows and boars feel like uncharted territory for me! I'm also not sure if this is a thing, I know it's more common to have one boar with a few sows? I'm looking for a friend for my sow who just lost her sister. I'm in south Manchester. Thanks
 
I’m sorry for your loss.

Yes it is absolutely fine for a boar to live with one sow. I wouldn’t think it’s necessarily more common to have a boar with multiple sows as not everyone has space for a herd.

How old is your sow?

Any bond comes down to character compatibility so it is about finding the right friend for her. If you can contact rescue centres then they should be able to help you with dating her to try to find a new friend.
It is the safest way to ensure she will accept new company.

There can sometimes be a bit of an issue with older sows accepting new company (boar or sow), but it depends very much on the sow - some will accept a new friend, others won’t.
Once sows are past natural pup bearing age they can become unwilling to live with a boar. Also if they have been with a lifelong friend and then lost that friend they can sometimes prefer to not share territory with another. The alternative (but it’s not always possible for everyone) is to have another pair of piggies live in a separate cage but beside the older sow so they have stimulation and interaction between the bars without the pressure of forming a hierarchy and sharing territory

There is a section in this guide entitled ‘cantankerous old age’ which explains a bit further

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m sorry for your loss.

Yes it is absolutely fine for a boar to live with one sow. I wouldn’t think it’s necessarily more common to have a boar with multiple sows as not everyone has space for a herd.

How old is your sow?

Any bond comes down to character compatibility so it is about finding the right friend for her. If you can contact rescue centres then they should be able to help you with dating her to try to find a new friend.
It is the safest way to ensure she will accept new company.

There can sometimes be a bit of an issue with older sows accepting new company (boar or sow), but it depends very much on the sow - some will accept a new friend, others won’t.
Once sows are past natural pup bearing age they can become unwilling to live with a boar. Also if they have been with a lifelong friend and then lost that friend they can sometimes prefer to not share territory with another. The alternative (but it’s not always possible for everyone) is to have another pair of piggies live in a separate cage but beside the older sow so they have stimulation and interaction between the bars without the pressure of forming a hierarchy and sharing territory

There is a section in this guide entitled ‘cantankerous old age’ which explains a bit further

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Click to expand...
Thank you super helpful. So she is old! She is 7 but has so much life in her and in her 7 years not yet had a single health issue (her sister had a few!). Feel like she may go on a while yet. And also since her sister past seems very content in her usual space, eating well normal energy. So maybe a boar is not the best choice. I also wondered about two younger sows. But rescues seem to have more boars.. thanks for your help
 
I’m glad she seems ok. They usually do manage ok alone for up to four weeks before they do start to need interaction with another piggy.

She would need to be tried with boars before it can be ruled out though.
Two younger sows is an option but it’s also possible rambunctious youngsters may be too much for her given her age. But if you were to get two young sows and the bonding failed then they could hopefully live in their own cage alongside her (so they would then have each other)

In reality it all comes down to trying her with many piggies until you either find a match or conclude that she would need neighbours rather than being able to share a cage
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m glad she seems ok. They usually do manage ok alone for up to four weeks before they do start to need interaction with another piggy.

She would need to be tried with boars before it can be ruled out though.
Two younger sows is an option but it’s also possible rambunctious youngsters may be too much for her given her age. But if you were to get two young sows and the bonding failed then they could hopefully live in their own cage alongside her (so they would then have each other)

In reality it all comes down to trying her with many piggies until you either find a match or conclude that she would need neighbours rather than being able to share a cage
Click to expand...
Interestingly I've been offered a docile neutered boar who was living with another older sow who passed. They are also very near me so we can potentially do a a date and see what happens
 
Lauren138 said:
Interestingly I've been offered a docile neutered boar who was living with another older sow who passed. They are also very near me so we can potentially do a a date and see what happens
Click to expand...
Good luck. ❤️❤️
 
Lauren138 said:
Interestingly I've been offered a docile neutered boar who was living with another older sow who passed. They are also very near me so we can potentially do a a date and see what happens
Click to expand...
Good luck! I hope it works out with the neutered boar.
7 is a grand old age, but if she's so healthy, she could potentially have another 2 years! So, very worth trying to find a compatible companion in my experience.
 
Mrs Tiggy Winkle said:
Good luck! I hope it works out with the neutered boar.
7 is a grand old age, but if she's so healthy, she could potentially have another 2 years! So, very worth trying to find a compatible companion in my experience.
Click to expand...
She's in such good health, lots of life in her I think! Literally never had to take her to the vets.. hoping it works out with the docile boar they have not met yet
 
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