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Original poster

Rescue a little GP to live with two bonded Rex boars?

72 replies

baddyface · 21/08/2017 13:49

Help!
We have Rex boars about 6 months and brothers and well bonded in a 6x2 c and c cage.

Just seen a tiny boar all alone. He's lived alone all the time it's thought but not much info on him. He's just so scared in the cage he's in as it's quite open and people keep walking past him. He's two and so cute.

I know the chances are they won't ever bond. Do you think I could split the cage and maybe get upstairs for them and they can be neighbours? He just seems to need peace and quiet and we can give him that.

Would it upset my two just to have him next door? What are the chances of them bonding at all? Has anyone managed it?

I want to rescue him but don't want to upset the boys we already have.

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Original poster
baddyface · 21/08/2017 15:14

There is also the option of getting a 4 x 2 c and c cage on top of the existing 6 x 2 cage.

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DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 21/08/2017 16:02

Do get him! If you can give him his own space then at least you know that there is always that option if they don't get on. As it's c+c could you rearrange it so that they both have two levels, so they can be next to each other if they want to be?

Original poster
baddyface · 21/08/2017 16:08

That could work yes. Ours currently sleep in an old wooden dolls house to one side that's two story (but they can't get upstairs with their big bottoms) so would have to rejig but yes. Would just living next door for a chat be enough for him do you think?

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DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 21/08/2017 17:11

Well, it would be better than nothing. You could try bonding them, but at least you know that there's no pressure as you have an alternative. (Though you would probably be wise to have more distance between them at first anyway, to check he's healthy (unless whoever has him currently has health-checked him already). So maybe keep them apart for two weeks, then either try bonding them immediately or have them side by side for a while.

I've never tried to bond guineas (that's my fun plan for this coming weekend) but I have with rabbits. It didn't work terribly well, so A ended up with the run of the garden and B had a large run, so they could see each other and sit next to each other if they so desired, but without further blood loss. They both seemed happy.

DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 21/08/2017 17:11

Oh. and don't forget the pigtures when he arrives!

Original poster
baddyface · 21/08/2017 17:37

See I was expecting you lot to talk me out of this!
Would I start with sectioning the cage off initially or would that be too stressful for them all? Would I be better getting a cheap cage for the short term and then putting that cage inside his section once they all got used to each other and then start to TRY to bond them? I'm just thinking how I could start off in the short term without making things harder in the long term. I couldn't really wait for a new c and c to be delivered before I got him.

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Original poster
baddyface · 21/08/2017 18:10

So I have more information about the little guy. The person there had said he was 2 years old! I was very surprised as he's tiny. I've since phoned up and he's actually only 16-18 weeks and will have been kept back from sale because he had something he needed treating for. Probably ringworm. He has now had the all clear but all his little friends are gone.
So is this information that will change anything?

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DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 21/08/2017 18:23

Where are you getting him from? That seems key. If a pet shop you really would want to keep him separate (ie not within touching distance) to make sure he doesn't have anything like ringworm. If he's been by himself in a house that's probably less of a risk...

Could you remove 6 of the squares for now, leaving a 3 by 2 for your current boys, and making him a 2 by 1 area. Not brilliant, but if you're getting the c+c within a few days, and can give them floor time, they should be ok. Saves you buying a new cage.

From what I can tell, if you do manage to bond them you'll want to change the cage around anyway, so they go into 3theirs for the first time, rather than him going into 2theirs old territory (if that makes sense).

Are you FB? If you are, Guinea Pigs UK is full of very knowledgeable people who could help.

Original poster
baddyface · 21/08/2017 19:23

Thanks Dude I will have a look.

I went into Pets at Home for food and saw him there. I wasn't given the right information about him but couldn't believe he was 2!

I'd rather he was homed to make a bonded pair elsewhere but the chances of that in Pets at Home is small. He's more likely to be sold to someone who only wants one long term.

My two were rescues already in a pair and are my first so I'm just googling as much as possible for info.

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DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 21/08/2017 19:47

Awww! Poor baby. I agree that his chances of being found by someone else who will bond him to another guinea is slim. At least if he's with you he'll have someone of his own species to talk to, even if he doesn't manage to bond. That has to be better than being completely on his own. My single is currently in her cage alone, but

DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 21/08/2017 19:49

Whoops!

But her two new friends are nearby, and though she can't see them unless I pick her up she does speak to them and knows they are there. I'm hoping that makes her slightly less lonely than she would be otherwise, and hopefully at the weekend they can have a few playdates then move in together. They'd better get on, I can't really keep them in separate cages indefinitely! Please keep fingers and paws crossed for us all!

Will you get him tomorrow? I hope so. It's so sad thinking of him being on his ownsome there...

PurpleDaisies · 21/08/2017 19:50

One of ours was lovely but a bit of an arse in that he wouldn't live with any other piggies. He lived really happily next door to some lady pigs and loved getting loads of attention from us.

I hope you can bring that poor little boar home.

Original poster
baddyface · 21/08/2017 23:27

Thanks for the advice. I still can't decide! I think if he's there tomorrow afternoon I'm going to have to get him.
I think as he's possibly had ringworm and is coming from a pet shop I will get him a cheap cage to live in for a couple of weeks while I sort living arrangements out. Then I think I will get a second level for the cage and see if I can have them all on split levels somehow so they can wave to each other.

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DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 22/08/2017 07:38

That sounds brilliant news! Does is sound odd if I say 'Thank you'? I've been feeling so sad about him since you mentioned him.

I'll be eagerly waiting for pigtures later today!

DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 22/08/2017 09:14

Something I forgot to mention (and think of whenever I feed my lot): I'm ensuring that whenever they're fed I feed my older sow first, even though this means walking past the tinies' cage with food. I have no idea if this will, actually, help the bond at all but I want to acknowledge that she was here first and the babies are subordinate to her. I know that, if one of the wee ones does turn out to be dominant that will be how it goes, but for the time being I don't want her to think I'm favouring them.

Original poster
baddyface · 22/08/2017 15:05

Well we went to get him just now and he still has ringworm. They are letting the vet see him tomorrow but I'm hoping we can bring him home tomorrow and treat him from home as our two had it when they were younger and we treated it ourselves.

He is ours though.

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DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 22/08/2017 15:11

Yay!!!!!! I am so, so very pleased to hear this. He is one very lucky lad and I'm sure he'll realise it just as soon as he is home.

Thanks for the update!

Out of interest, how did you treat the ringworm? (Asking just in case it turns out my two do have it.)

DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 22/08/2017 15:13

Just realised I'd missed your original post where you said he had ringworm.

As he's still young I'd have thought it would be easier to bond him with your other two, if you wanted to.

I really am so happy for him. And you.

Original poster
baddyface · 22/08/2017 15:13

The rescue lady said to treat with the mildest cannestan cream once every two days. It cleared up fast.

It's very contagious apparently (although me and my kids didn't get it) so make sure you wash hands well etc.

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DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 22/08/2017 15:22

Thanks for that. That's what I thought, but it's nice to hear it from someone 'proper'. I might pick some up at the weekend so I have it in if necessary. I hope I don't, though, as I doubt it'll help them to bond with me!

Original poster
baddyface · 22/08/2017 16:35

It's really quick and easy to do. Ours were tiny and terrified when they came with ringworm but they didn't even notice me putting the cream on.
I was also advised to handle little and often every day to help to socialise them. Mine now still dive for cover when I try to pick them up but they then stay still while I pick them up and they sit very happily on my kids knees snuggled in a towel.

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Original poster
baddyface · 22/08/2017 16:36

So I've had a rejig of the cage for the short term. The big guys will be on the left with access to the dolls house. They can't get past it though.

The little guy will be on the right.

Do people think this is ok for the short term? Any suggestions on layout and additions to the cage for long term?

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Original poster
baddyface · 22/08/2017 16:44

Forgot the picture!

Rescue a little GP to live with two bonded Rex boars?
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DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 22/08/2017 17:48

I'm sure that's grand for now. My two wee ones are currently in a medium dog cage which is The size of your small section and they're fine. One hasn't yet come out the carry case they came in! The other one likes running around full pelt, usually whenever I come near. I'm the worst thing ever, in her opinion!

I have been handling them. The running away lass just hides as far from me as possible, the other likes to run up to my shoulders and get tangled in my hair!

Are you going to try and put another layer on your run? My older girl is currently in a Ferplast cage, but I'm hoping to use c+c squares to build a loft in there. It won't be very high, but should give them some extra space. Not sure if my older lass will ever get up there (suspect it'll be too much hard work!) but I'm sure the wee ones will.

Original poster
baddyface · 22/08/2017 18:00

Ha! Sounds like fun trying to catch them! I find igloos are my friend when trying to catch them.

Yes I'm thinking of getting a lift type thing but not sure whether to get two sides if loft so they can all wave to each other upstairs as well as down. I need to look at some pictures. There are almost too many options!

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