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Original poster

Boar bonding!

20 replies

FernieB · 07/03/2015 19:17

As I understand it, (from a lot of research and posts on here), most adult boars can be bonded with baby boars quite successfully.

I have just had an experience with a rescue centre which was I felt, a bit odd. My 4 year old boy was put in a run that had just been vacated by a bonded pair of boars and still had their poo in it. In the space of 20 mins 4 different adult boys were put in with him. Scruffypig tried to mount/sniff the first 3 and did some rumble strutting. They each responded in kind, but it was not really aggressive, however, the rescue lady took each pig out. They spent no more than 2 minutes together. The last pig decided he didn't like Scruffy and was removed.

Is it just me or would you have left them a bit longer to see if they could work it out? Also, she did have a baby pig but refused to consider trying him with Scruffy. Think she wants to keep him.

She did say that she has lots of success pairing adult boars, but then she had a lot of single adult boarsConfused, so clearly not that successful.

Does that all sound odd to you or normal?

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/03/2015 20:40

Mm very odd.
You told her you wanted a piglet but she offered you adults.
The Rescue I got my pigs from did bond some adult boars but it was done over a period of time (they will offer to keep the pair for a day or so) and many of their lone boys were neutered to bond with sows.

GP1 was placed in a clean plastic crate then GP3 put in with him and left to suss each other out.

A piglet would be far easier to rehome (perhaps he was already reserved? ) but putting your boy with a mis-matched boar may well result in the pig returning to her and the potential for injury to Scruffy and/or new boy.

Having the other pigs droppings I suppose it would be neutral for Scruffy and pig but it must confuse things to smell another boar pair.

Sounds weird- trust your instincts

Original poster
FernieB · 07/03/2015 21:17

Thanks 70. She ended by saying that Scruffy did not have the right temperament to live with another pig and we would not be able to match him with anyone.

I have to say the pigs were in excellent condition and clearly loved but some were in quite small hutches and there was no outside space for them to use in summer. I think she is a pig lover who rehomes when she has no room for more. The baby wasn't reserved but he was obviously a favourite.

OP posts:
millimat · 07/03/2015 22:38

Can you try anywhere else?

Original poster
FernieB · 07/03/2015 23:05

I'm trying a couple of others and am waiting to hear. It was actually a rescue you tried last year Millimat before you got your littlest pig. If all else fails I will have to do what you did to find a friend, but I'm trying rescues first. Have also tried my pig hotel to see if they know anyone, but no luck. Poor Scruffy used to be so chatty, now he barely talks unless he's been picked up. The rest of the time he sits in a corner in silence.

OP posts:
millimat · 08/03/2015 14:53

The one in winsford? It's horrible when they're on their own. Our poor GP seemed ok but those three weeks on his own seemed an eternity to me.

Original poster
FernieB · 08/03/2015 15:01

He's eating fine and we've just been cuddling for over an hour - cuddle was abandoned when he decided to wet me thoroughly without warning Confused. I'll feel happier when he has a friend. I am just wondering if he will find one as he does try to mount everything in sight and is very vocal but he did this with Smooth all the time.

I'm waiting to hear from another rescue and I have one more to try tomorrow.

OP posts:
fortifiedwithtea · 08/03/2015 15:28

Harsh of her to write Scruffy off as unmatchable Sad

I've been reading up boar dating on your behalf on Rodents with Attitude and the consensus is that 95% of the time adults and babies do bond well.

I'm confident Scruffy can make a friend and a little humping for dominance is to be expected Grin

Original poster
FernieB · 08/03/2015 15:30

Thanks fortified. I've also been doing a lot of reading and I think we can find him a friend.

OP posts:
millimat · 08/03/2015 16:31

Me too!

weshallneversurrender · 08/03/2015 17:40

i had an incredibly dominant male boar, who was bonded very successfully with a baby piglet

i did drive down to a rescue in nottingham however, but it was worth the trip for the successful match :) she was very interested to know what his personality was like, checked him over, etc. before introducing another male, and i wouldnt hesitate to go back there to get another. keep trying, it is possible to bond them!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 09/03/2015 09:01

Just checking in, good luck in the further search for mini-pig.

(I think if I was unable to find a Rescue pig, I'd be tempted to go onto one of those pesky Gumtree/Preloved type sites and 'buy' a piggie but give the money to a Piggie Charity)

"Hello, I see from your advert that you've got some piglets, boar piglets"
"Yes £10 each, they're lovely"

(It would be easier to do the next bit if they're not a breeder)

"So what happens if you don't sell them all? Especially the males. Boars are harder to rehome when they get older"

"Oh I hadn't thought, ermmm"

"Well, I tell you what. I need a piglet, I have a good home waiting. I'm sure a good home is more important to you than ten quid eh?"

"Well, I'm not giving them away, might go for snakefood"

"Why don't I choose a piglet and send the £10 to the local Pig Charity? then you can see I'm honourable and your piglet gets a forever home"

(And if you don't rehome them that's where they'll end up anyway Hmm )

Obviously with a private sale there's no Return Guarantee and you need to make doubly sure you get a boar.
But sometimes you need to think outside the box.

Original poster
FernieB · 09/03/2015 09:35

Thanks 70. That is my option after the rescues. I have been looking for babies already.

Caught Scruffy staring at the wall yesterday. I suspect he'd been busy entertaining himself with the vast quantity of toys he has in there now, but heard me coming and decided to stare at the wall to get sympathy parsley. It worked. He has stopped talking now, unless he is picked up Hmm.

I'm phoning another rescue this morning.

OP posts:
millimat · 09/03/2015 10:53

Poor ScruffySad

Original poster
FernieB · 09/03/2015 15:49

Getting very frustrated. I've spent the best part of the day on the phone to various rescues throughout the region and there are no baby boars anywhere at the moment. The good news is that quite a few rescues had no guinea pigs in at all. One rescue has some that will be ready towards the end of next week, but it's a fair way from me and I can't go next week.

I've been through all the GP for sale ads and all the local(ish) ones are pairs of adults. So I'm back to Scruffy either being a lone pig or at least on his own for a few weeks more, or going to P@H. What do you think?

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 09/03/2015 16:44

Oh -very frustrating. Poor Scruffy boy.

If you've exhausted the Rescues (we must've been very fortunate with GP3 that he was there when we needed him ) and the adverts....

Have you tried your local vets? They might know of someone who has piglets?

Or a small independant petshop ( I'm not a P@H fan , some are okay, but they always seem to have boars when I look in there)

I suppose it depends on how Scruffy is bearing up.

The one tthat says their pigs will be ready by the end of next week- could you take Scruffy there and get them to bond him with a piglet until they say they can leave?
Lots of places won't let piglets go till 8 weeks but boars are weaned much earlier , before they start their shenanigans with their mums/sisters.

millimat · 09/03/2015 19:01

P@H were fab when we wanted to pair up gp with a baby. I was highly impressed, though I'm sure it depends on the people who work in the store as to what you get. We're close to quite a few p@h shops and another one wasn't prepared to try any babies with him, but the one we went to provided a neutral cage filled with bedding and were happy to take as long as we needed to match him up. We were there over an hour trying different piglets. I was very sceptical but they were great.
Where in the country are you?

millimat · 09/03/2015 19:03

I like 70s idea of taking to a rescue and leaving with the babies till they're ready to leave.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 09/03/2015 19:49

though if Scruffy is out of the house for more than 24 hours, Current Bun will sell all his stuff on eBay and turn the pigs' bit of the conservatory into a Rabbit Run .

"Guinea-Pigs?............No guinea-pigs here" Current Bun says wide eyed and innocent, kicking a stray parsley bell under the table.

Original poster
FernieB · 09/03/2015 21:48

Current Bun has spent the last few days sulking in his house as 'that wretched pig' has been sitting on the sofa getting all the evening cuddles.

Good news! I have heard of a baby boar. Scruffy has his paws crossed, Current Bun is really annoyed, and I am desperately hoping this works out. I will update when I know more.

OP posts:
millimat · 09/03/2015 21:50

Fingers crossed x

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