Her Nibship
Teenage Guinea Pig
Four weeks ago I adopted 3 boys (around 5/6 months old) - Zebedee, Dylan & Dougal. They have (or rather had - coming to that later!) a large two tier hutch in the piggie-palace (used to be the shed!). From day one Dougal took himself off upstairs. He showed no inclination to go back down and join the others (he could manage the ramp - I checked), and they showed no interest in going up to join him...until about a week ago when Dylan went upstairs. There was some mild dominance behaviour, but I thought this was to be expected as they had been apart and kept an eye on them. On Mother's Day Dougal and Dylan were in the run and there was a rolling-around-and-Dylan-coming-away-with a huge mouthful-of Dougal's-fur fight. I was sitting right next to them, so was able to act immediately, but I think it was luck that Dylan's teeth closed on fur and not flesh. I obviously couldn't risk a serious injury, so OH got out toolkit, and hutch is now 2 self-contained apartments!
Obviously, that leaves Zebedee and Dylan downstairs (getting along OK at the moment, but they are "teenage" boars, so I'm thinking of getting another hutch "just in case" - what do you guys think?) and poor Dougal upstairs alone. He can see and talk to the girls in their hutch, but I know that isn't the same as having a constant companion.
Stick with me, I'm getting to the point, honestly!
So, basically, I'm wondering whether to take Dougal boar-dating or have him neutered and then get him a lady-friend. I don't really want him to move in with the girls (Nibble and Munch) as for one thing they are actually my daughter's, but also they are sisters who have been together since birth and they have always got on so well that I don't really want to upset that dynamic. I worry with boar-dating that he might struggle to find a compatible companion, afterall he didn't get on with Zebedee and Dylan (I know - 3 adolescent boars...what did I expect?!) but then again I worry about putting him through the risk of an anaesthetic for neutering, which is, afterall, a not actually necessary. ARRRRGGGHHHH! Opinions please, and sorry for the VERY long post!
Obviously, that leaves Zebedee and Dylan downstairs (getting along OK at the moment, but they are "teenage" boars, so I'm thinking of getting another hutch "just in case" - what do you guys think?) and poor Dougal upstairs alone. He can see and talk to the girls in their hutch, but I know that isn't the same as having a constant companion.
Stick with me, I'm getting to the point, honestly!
So, basically, I'm wondering whether to take Dougal boar-dating or have him neutered and then get him a lady-friend. I don't really want him to move in with the girls (Nibble and Munch) as for one thing they are actually my daughter's, but also they are sisters who have been together since birth and they have always got on so well that I don't really want to upset that dynamic. I worry with boar-dating that he might struggle to find a compatible companion, afterall he didn't get on with Zebedee and Dylan (I know - 3 adolescent boars...what did I expect?!) but then again I worry about putting him through the risk of an anaesthetic for neutering, which is, afterall, a not actually necessary. ARRRRGGGHHHH! Opinions please, and sorry for the VERY long post!
. I don't want him to get lonely, but we are going away Easter week so it might be best to wait until after then. My brother-in-law is going to be looking after the piggies, and although he only lives across the road he obviously won't be with them as much as I am, and I would want to be monitoring a new partnership pretty closely. Am I being a real fuss-pot?