Things for me have moved on...

Reddybex

Reddybex

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 13, 2017
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Location
Norham, Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland
Hi everyone,
I have been a member here for a number of years however have been inactive for quite a while. My first boar Jerry passed away in November. A horrific week or so of doing everything we could to bump start his lovely personality again. We handfed and had him on antibiotics but sadly he passed away in my arms. He is now resident in the garden where some wild flowers will remind us of him each year.
I still have Vinnie, a boar who now lives with 2 rescue girls (he's neutered, don't panic), Gertrude and Winifred.
Recently I have taken on a solo boar called Harry. The rescue is convinced he can't be with others but I am thinking of trying him. I have bonded others before with success.

However, I put up some wallpaper yesterday in their room and Harry has completely fallen out with me, biting bars badly and not coming to get fed from my hand as he normally does. I have obviously terrified the daylights out of him yet he was so quiet when I was in the room yesterday and the other Guineas are totally fine. Maybe it was my singing!

My question is twofold,
1. Do you have any tips to help de-stress him other than time, quiet and patience? He's usually so bold!
2. I have been allowing Harry to see the other Pigs through the bars, they are all in the same room so can hear and smell each other. Do I try bonding Harry with Vinnie the neutered boy over the weekend? Vinnie fell out with Jerry (the boar who passed) badly hence why he ended up with the girls lol Or do I get Harry neutered and eventually try him with one of the girls?
3. Or none of the above and keep him interacting but in his own space?

I have attached Harry's photo and Jerry and Vinnie are in my profile photo.
 

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I’m sorry for your loss.

I would cover part of his cage with a blanket and see if that helps - pretty much go back to basics with him for a while and see how it goes.

For Vinnie, being removed from the girls and being put back into a bachelor pair could be seen as a huge step down for him and he may not take kindly to it.

If it was me, then I would prefer to neuter Harry and then bond him with one of the girls. Or if you wouldnt mind taking on another piggy, then having Harry neutered and finding him his own sow to live with. The rescue may think he can’t be with others, and perhaps he doesn’t want to be with another boar, but he may like a lovely lady!
 
So sorry you lost Jerry, I too have my rainbow boys (in pots) in the garden, it’s always nice to go out and have a little chat with them, so I hope it brings comfort to you x
I agree with piggies&buns, most boars who have lived with ladies don’t take kindly back in a bachelor pad, it’s seen as a demotion and usually not tolerated. If you have the space and finances I would get him neutered and find him a little wife of his own
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m sorry for your loss.

I would cover part of his cage with a blanket and see if that helps - pretty much go back to basics with him for a while and see how it goes.

For Vinnie, being removed from the girls and being put back into a bachelor pair could be seen as a huge step down for him and he may not take kindly to it.

If it was me, then I would prefer to neuter Harry and then bond him with one of the girls. Or if you wouldnt mind taking on another piggy, then having Harry neutered and finding him his own sow to live with. The rescue may think he can’t be with others, and perhaps he doesn’t want to be with another boar, but he may like a lovely lady!
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Thank you for this. I had not considered Vinnie feeling like it was a backwards step so I'm glad I asked first before going ahead. That plan is how abandoned!
I've covered the cage now as well.
I think it would be a good idea for me to consider neutering Harry.
However, the girls are sisters. Ive had them for a few years now. They both had had a litter before they got rescued and they were so young! I take it, it would be horrid of me to separate them now? And that I should consider a new wife for Harry...
 
Bill & Ted said:
So sorry you lost Jerry, I too have my rainbow boys (in pots) in the garden, it’s always nice to go out and have a little chat with them, so I hope it brings comfort to you x
I agree with piggies&buns, most boars who have lived with ladies don’t take kindly back in a bachelor pad, it’s seen as a demotion and usually not tolerated. If you have the space and finances I would get him neutered and find him a little wife of his own
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I love that you have them in pots ❤ yes I speak to Jerry and keep him posted on events. Although Harry was a fitting newbie to honour Jerry's memory, I still really miss Jerry. I suppose you never quite get over your first. Thank you for your kindness x

I'm so glad you have both told of how Vinnie would feel. It had not occurred to me which sounds dense but now I know
 
Reddybex said:
I love that you have them in pots ❤ yes I speak to Jerry and keep him posted on events. Although Harry was a fitting newbie to honour Jerry's memory, I still really miss Jerry. I suppose you never quite get over your first. Thank you for your kindness x

I'm so glad you have both told of how Vinnie would feel. It had not occurred to me which sounds dense but now I know
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TBH it never occurred to me either until I read a post about it. I suppose logically it’s quite understandable 😆
 
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