Should I separate my boars- please help...

Nic bee

Nic bee

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Please help, I really don't know what to do for the best..
I have 2 boars, rescued dfferently, both about 4 years old. They've always tolerated each other but always wanted their own space. I give them garden time whenever possible and they have a large indoor cage (c&c grids 4x4) however recently "tinks" is so grumpy and won't leave "spud" alone. He chases him round and round and I keep finding chunks of spuds hair in the cage. But no scars. They seem otherwise healthy and stable weight but spud seems scared and on edge all the time.
Should I sperate them? This has been going on about 3 weeks but seems to be getting worse
 
It sounds as if their relationship is breaking down. If you are finding clumps of fur then they are
likely having scuffles. It sounds as if separation would be best for their safety and happiness.

To test their relationship, you can do a trial separation. If spud perks up and is happier when not with tinks , then that is a sign of a dysfunctional bond and permanent separation would need to happen. Tinks is likely to be upset by any separation but it isn’t his reaction that is the gauge.

If they do need to be separated then they can live next to each other so they can talk through the bars and still get stimulation and interaction that way.

The link below provides further information

Bonds In Trouble
 
Thanks for replying!
They've always had 2 of everything and lots of space and interaction. It's such a shame to sperate them but I actually think they'd both be happier separately.
Would they need to be separated when having garden time too?
 
It is a shame but it will be better for them both if they are not able to live harmoniously together.
Yes separate at all times. They will no longer be able to have any physical contact without bars between them.
 
I've had boys love side by side, just divided by side of grids. They were happier and safer. They still interacted with each other and even spent time sittng and sleeping so close to the wire they were touching. They had separate side by side runs in the garden too.
They even wheeked and looked for each other if you took one out to play or hug.
They loved each other but they just couldn't live together.
Hope this helps.xx
 
rhymer said:
I've had boys love side by side, just divided by side of grids. They were happier and safer. They still interacted with each other and even spent time sittng and sleeping so close to the wire they were touching. They had separate side by side runs in the garden too.
They even wheeked and looked for each other if you took one out to play or hug.
They loved each other but they just couldn't live together.
Hope this helps.xx
Click to expand...
Oh thank you that helps. Did the relationship get better then it was before then? Mine have never wanted to be near each other and can't imagine even with a divide they would. ?
 
So I could either keep them separate with a divide or build a new cage in a separate room for my grumpy pig and get a new Sow for my friendly neutered boar. ?
I just feel like "spud" is a lovely friendly cheeky piggie and deserves a friend...
 
Yes it did get much better.
When they fell out they were only about 12 weeks old and it was terrible fur flying and everything.
Living side by side they had full interaction, seeing each other sniffing and even touching through the wire .
They became the best of friends and lived happily for over 6 years.
Just make sure the wire or grids have small squares so they can't nip each other through it.x
 
Nic bee said:
So I could either keep them separate with a divide or build a new cage in a separate room for my grumpy pig and get a new Sow for my friendly neutered boar. ?
I just feel like "spud" is a lovely friendly cheeky piggie and deserves a friend...
Click to expand...

Yes
Your options:

1. Divide the cage and let them live side by side permanently. Ok to do, but physically living with another pig is better
2. Get a new boar friend for both pigs
3. Get a sow friend for a neutered boy.
They don’t need to be in separate rooms if they both have a sow friend, or both have a boar friend. If, however, one has a boar friend and one has a sow friend, then you will need to keep them in separate rooms. A boar pair can’t be near a mixed sex pair as the boar pair will likely fight with a female in the same room. If one remains single and one has a sow friend, then again, they can remain in the same room. The single pig won’t have anybody to fight with in the presence of a female so it won’t be a problem having a girly nearby
 
Piggies&buns said:
Yes
Your options:

1. Divide the cage and let them live side by side permanently. Ok to do, but physically living with another pig is better
2. Get a new boar friend for both pigs
3. Get a sow friend for a neutered boy.
They don’t need to be in separate rooms if they both have a sow friend, or both have a boar friend. If, however, one has a boar friend and one has a sow friend, then you will need to keep them in separate rooms. A boar pair can’t be near a mixed sex pair as the boar pair will likely fight with a female in the same room. If one remains single and one has a sow friend, then again, they can remain in the same room. The single pig won’t have anybody to fight with in the presence of a female so it won’t be a problem having a girly nearby
Click to expand...
Wow thanks so much for this advice!
Would my un-neutered boar be driven crazy having a sow nearby but untouchable? 😁 I've no idea how much they are affected by instinct over a female as I've only ever had boys. I think Tinks destined to live on his own (& tbh think he's happier this way!) Unlike my Spud who seems to love company, bless him and I think he'd really enjoy a wife! X
 
They are very affected by the ladies.
It isn’t such a problem having a sow in the same room as a boar provided the boar lives by himself - tinks wouldn’t have anybody to fight with so having a sow in with spud isn’t problematic in that respect. If tinks lived with another boar and spud lived with a sow then the presence of the sow (smell of her) could ruin the bond between tinks and his boar friend.
Whether you consider it fair on tinks to have a sow in the room is another matter. It would be equally unfair on tinks if you were to get spud a wife, and then move them to another room (so that tinks couldn’t smell the sow). Tinks would then have no interaction at all and that would be worse.
You do however need to be very very careful having a sow in the same room as an unneutered boar. A determined boar will climb cage bars to get to a sow. Ensuring a lid is on the cage would be a very good idea if you intend to get spud a wife
Would neutering tinks and considering a wife for him be an option? He may not be ok with another boar but he may be ok with a wife.
 
So I divided the cage 24hrs ago and can't believe how much happier Spud is. I hate that they've got less room but I saw them last night both laid out closer to each other than they've ever been before! (Either side of the bars) so I'm guessing it's a done deal now?
Strangely the piggie who did the chasing seems very fed up, I keep telling him it's all his own doing! xx
 
Nic bee said:
So I divided the cage 24hrs ago and can't believe how much happier Spud is. I hate that they've got less room but I saw them last night both laid out closer to each other than they've ever been before! (Either side of the bars) so I'm guessing it's a done deal now?
Strangely the piggie who did the chasing seems very fed up, I keep telling him it's all his own doing! xx
Click to expand...

The instigator of the problems will be cross with the separation but it isn’t his reaction that is your gauge. It is spud’s that you need to look at. As spud is happier to be living away then it confirms a dysfunctional bond.
If they’ve got a 2x4 size cage each now, then that is absolutely fine for them.
 
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