Very Timid New Piggy, Not Eating Much - Advice Needed Please?

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Char03xo

Char03xo

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Hi. I adopted a 1 year old boar on Tuesday. I know it takes time for them to settle in but he's totally not progressing. He sits in his little hut/den and does not move all day. He hasn't eaten much. I've put treats in for him, carrots, cucumber and plenty of hay but he isn't eating it. It's like he doesn't know what to do with it, like he's never had it before. I'm abit confused can anyone give me any sort of advice please.
Thanks in advance :)
 
Poor little boy! It is much harder if you have a single boy, as he doesn't have the company to pull hi out and is feeling doubly exposed in a foreign place.

- you may want to cover the whole or at least part of the cage with a beach towel or fleece to give him a feeling of safety and encourage him to move around more.
- place veg, hay and pellets close to his hidey
- just sit by the cage and talk to him constantly whenever you are in the room. Try him with little portions of freshly scissor-cut grass that is dog pee free.
- perhaps you may want to plany some music when you are not around.
- see whether you can set up a boar dating session at one of our recommended rescues in Southport, Keighley or Kidsgrove. Becklen GP Rescue, who are not on our recommended list, have now a fosterer in Carlisle, which may be the best place to contact if you are in the North of Cumbria. Ideally as soon as his two week quarantine is up!

The rest is patience and persistence.
 
Wiebke said:
Poor little boy! It is much harder if you have a single boy, as he doesn't have the company to pull hi out and is feeling doubly exposed in a foreign place.

- you may want to cover the whole or at least part of the cage with a beach towel or fleece to give him a feeling of safety and encourage him to move around more.
- place veg, hay and pellets close to his hidey
- just sit by the cage and talk to him constantly whenever you are in the room. Try him with little portions of freshly scissor-cut grass that is dog pee free.
- perhaps you may want to plany some music when you are not around.
- see whether you can set up a boar dating session at one of our recommended rescues in Southport, Keighley or Kidsgrove. Becklen GP Rescue, who are not on our recommended list, have now a fosterer in Carlisle, which may be the best place to contact if you are in the North of Cumbria. Ideally as soon as his two week quarantine is up!

The rest is patience and persistence.
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Thankyou for the advice :)
I'm going to change his cage later from sawdust to fleece, hopefully he'll be abit more comfortable and want to explore. He'll let me hold him etc but he stays so still, just need to build up his confidence I think. I'm getting 2 baby boars in afew weeks and I'll wait a while to introduce them but maybe he'll feel better when he can hear and see some other piggies
 
Oh poor little chap is probably lonely and scared. Many piggies take a while to settle in but lone piggies much longer. Has he got lots of hideys, tunnels, etc to help him feel less exposed and vulnerable? The best thing for him would really be a companion to help him feel more secure. Hope he settles.
 
At the moment he only has one hideaway but I'm going out tomorrow and buying him afew more plus some other toys and treats, hopefully that will cheer him up. I hope to bond him with some baby boars in a month or so, I'm crossing my fingers it will be successful :)
 
One would be best,more than one could cause problems.The highest fall out rate is boar trios.If you want a bigger group you could get him neutered then have a group of sows with him
 
Its lovely he is coming around, I brought Edward a little teddy and he enjoyed cuddling that (and other things!) and when I got Mrs Simpson I put her one in and she cuddles that
 
nicky said:
Its lovely he is coming around, I brought Edward a little teddy and he enjoyed cuddling that (and other things!) and when I got Mrs Simpson I put her one in and she cuddles that
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It is :) Aww that's cute, I might have to get one for my little fuzz ball to snuggle upto :)
 
Char03xo said:
At the moment he only has one hideaway but I'm going out tomorrow and buying him afew more plus some other toys and treats, hopefully that will cheer him up. I hope to bond him with some baby boars in a month or so, I'm crossing my fingers it will be successful :)
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Char03xo said:
We've made some progress :) Changed piggies cage from sawdust to fleece and he's like a totally different boy. He's gained some confidence, exploring, looking round etc and finally eating his food, veggies and hay!
Happy piggy mummy :)
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So happy to hear.
 
Please make sure that you take Madguinealady's advice on numbers - trying for a trio of boars invariably ends in tears ( and possibly some very large vets bills). Are you going to a reputable rescue who has experience with bonding?
With regards food: I've yet to meet a piggie who couldn't be tempted with parsley ( not too much or too often though) .
I'm glad he's happier with the fleece - my lot love it. :)
 
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