We adopted two boars (Toffee and Cocoa) in September from a friend who no longer had time to care for them properly. They are now around 14 months old. We also have two females. They are all indoor piggies but obviously kept in separate homes and also in separate rooms. The boys fought a bit when we first got them (nothing serious) but we're guessing it was partly the stress of moving as they seem to have calmed down now. However, Toffee is extremely randy. He doesn't bother Cocoa but he seems to spend a lot of time "looking" for the girls; wheeking, nibbling the cage bars and seeming very frustrated. I hate seeing him behaving like this as obviously he has some very strong natural urges which he can't fulfil. They have a very spacious cage, always lots of hay and separate hidey houses so it's not that he's unhappy with his home. He gets worse when he hears the girls running around in their cage or wheeking. I am wondering whether it is worth getting him neutered? It's not something I would take lightly as I don't particularly want to put him through that. I just want him to be more contented. Does anybody have any advice please?
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Small pets
Should we consider neutering our male guinea pig?
blondeemily · 04/01/2019 20:11
I have heard of the same risks with boars. We have sows and when considering getting another pig we chose another sow. This was because so many experienced owners advised not castrating a boar because of the risks. Is it practical/possible to move the 2 hutches further away from eachother? It must be difficult when the sows are in season for them- mind you sometimes our sows mount each other now and then! Also tmi....
Its a calculated risk with castration as all surgery , you'd need to ask your vet how many small animals they castrate ( they will do more rabbits than pigs)
Having the smell of sows can turn then barmy .
Our GP7 (sow) used to chase GP8 (sow and her long term cagemate) round and try to jump her .
GP6 (our boar) was neutered when we got him (we had GP3 neutered , there is a minimum weight and age , surgery is fairly straightforward but you need to keep them on towels , look out for post-op bleeding or abscess and they take 6 weeks to go sterile)
It doesn't change how they think.
Our boar was very "Oh Hello " Leslie Phillips voice but sows will get them to Jog On if they don't want to welcome them.Doesn't stop him trying , he's all purring and doing the little waggy bum dance
When we bonded GP6 and GP7 (our last two) it was hair raising for DD and I because we'd tried over and over to bond our group but they wouldn't .
They accepted each other but he is very much under the thumb, she can kick like a mule and pee back.
When your sows are in Season do you get signs? Mine were snipey with each other and their pee stunk, luckily it lasted 1-2 days then they were lovely again.
Castration was £58 for our boar about 4 years ago.
Only neuter to bond BTW -
You could neuter with a view to bond if you find yourself with one boar (though you cannot predict which of your 4 will go first)
Lots of Rescues now neuter boars even if they rehome as a boar pair , because there's not the waiting period and risk increases with age.
It makes the risks of impaction almost nil ( Go on , Google , I dare you .......mwah ha ha)
Hehe thanks 70isaLimitNotaTarget
I notice the girls occasionally rumble around their cage more than usual. Is that a sign of being in season?
Yes it would be handy to have the boys neutered so that we could try bonding a third when we lose one 
I would just worry so much as they are such sensitive little creatures, aren't they? If they could guarantee Toffee would be okay and he would be more content afterwards then I would definately go ahead!
Thank you @blondeemily
Not only has he fully recovered, but he and his girlfriend Pearl have settled into a life of married bliss. He’s a very happy lad 
Awww, they look gorgeous.
at the cat - is he hoping for a snack or do they get on OK?
Awww, they look gorgeous.
at the cat - is he hoping for a snack or do they get on OK?
The cat’s next door’s. She fascinated by the piggies but she just watches. Our cat ignores them as she’s so used to seeing them around.
it does nought to their libido. (or temper)
A stroppy , sexed up boar with his bits will still be a stroppy sexed up boar without. It's the stern judgey looks of their sows that bring them into line .
Our GP7 had never lived with a boar (she had GP6 on the other side of the cage for 18 months) before they got married . He was all "Way Hey" for twelve hours then was all "Denied" with his best Waynes World face .
Got to love a trier though!
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