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Sad little boy

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JoHamer

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I'm looking for some advice really. I have 3 young boars, all rescue. they live in our outhouse and are very well loved and cared for. Two of them are 7 months old and one a bit older. They've grown a lot since I had them, but one of them, little Chip, suddenly seems sad and it appears he's stopped growing as well. he spends a lot of time inside a sqube and he is eating. No obvious signs of illness. Not sure what to do really. Charlie (the oldest) and Cheeky are good friends, Cheeky and Chip are friendly. Charlie cases Chip but they have lots of space and hiding places. They regularly eat all together. Any advice welcome, thanks.
 
How is Chips weight? Any losses? I would take him to the vets for a quick check over, just to make sure all is fine. Any signs of bullying at all?
 
Yes, I've been sitting in with them and I do think he is being bullied, a bite mark on his ear too. I've just spent some time making him his own home on a shelf, still in the outhouse with them but a little place he can sleep in his sqube. Should I take him out? He has lost a little weight too. Although last night him and Cheeky were sleeping happily together. Very worried, but will keep a close eye on him.
Thank you
 
Poor little chap, maybe you could look into getting him a friend of his own and have two pairs.
Do you think that maybe a vet check would be beneficial just to rule out any problems.
 
If it was me, since you have found a bite mark but he still seems heathy, I would take him out, if the bullying is the problem you will probably see a change in Chip right away. I agree with sharon5, sportbilly amd Johammer, a vet trip and a new buddy. :)
L
 
Thanks for all your help. I will take your advice and separate him and a visit to the vet. he was doing really well, this has just happened over the past week, literally. It's really upset me so I'll do anything to get him back to being happy again, thanks
 
If he is being bullied, he will noticeably perk up as soon as he is away from the other two. Most trios of young boars will run into trouble during the big hormones and will end up with separation.
http://www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bullying.htm

It would be good to have him checked by a vet, in case there is a health problem. Piggies can bully an ill piggy if it endangers the survival of the group as a whole.

If he is healthy, it would be best to look for a new friend for him in the long term, either a spayed sow or a laid back boar friend he gets on with. RNGP Welfare in Rugby is the only rescue to my knowledge who neuter all their piggies as a matter of policy, but they depend on sows coming in and there can be a waiting list - it may be worth the wait, though.
http://www.rngp.org/
 
Wiebke said:
If he is being bullied, he will noticeably perk up as soon as he is away from the other two. Most trios of young boars will run into trouble during the big hormones and will end up with separation.
http://www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bullying.htm

It would be good to have him checked by a vet, in case there is a health problem. Piggies can bully an ill piggy if it endangers the survival of the group as a whole.

If he is healthy, it would be best to look for a new friend for him in the long term, either a spayed sow or a laid back boar friend he gets on with. RNGP Welfare in Rugby is the only rescue to my knowledge who neuter all their piggies as a matter of policy, but they depend on sows coming in and there can be a waiting list - it may be worth the wait, though.
http://www.rngp.org/
Click to expand...

I can definitely second what Wiebke says - I was on the waiting list for a spayed sow at Rugby for 6 months - then a bonded pair came along and my Bumble couldn't be happier!
 
Thankyou for all your help. Chip is still in with them but in his own little safe space tonight. I've sat in with them a lot today (they've taken over our outhouse, I never intended to have my own guineaa pigs!) It seems that Cheeky has just reached sexual maturity and keeps trying to mount Chip who is finding this distressing. looks like I will be looking for a companion for him. I'm also looking after my Grandchildrens 3 girl guineas, one of them is Chips Mum. I HAD to move him out at 3 weeks to stop breeding, it broke my heart but I knew it was for the best, I thought I'd found him the perfect friends, sadly I'm wrong. I won't let him suffer though so thankyou.
 
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