Introductions Introducing 2 new Boars to my single Boar - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**ColoradoMama** · #1 07-02-09, 04:56 pm

Hello All!! I have a question for anyone out there that has some experience in introducing boars. I lost one of my boars several weeks ago, and now that we've all had some time to grieve, its time to get my lonely boar, Gus, a new friend.

I found a little guy on Petfinder that I fell in love with. His name is Tanner. So I called the rescue today to inquire about him and was told that he is housed with a brother and they must go together. I completely understand and certainly would not want to seperate them. But I'm wondering: what are the chances that this will work out?? Tanner and his brother are about 2 years old, my Gus is about 1.5 years old. My Gus is not aggressive. He is a BIG pig, but very mellow. What are the odds that I can introduce two new boars successfully to Gus? I was worried about the challenges of introducing one new pig, but two sounds a little intimidating to me. What do you guys think? I want to give them a home, but don't want to get myself into something I will regret. I would feel terrible if they didn't get along.

**Paula** · #2 07-02-09, 05:07 pm

There are several folks who have multiple boars living successfully together, so it's totally doable.

All the same rules for intros apply - neutral territory for intros, put them into a completely clean cage, etc.

Introducing boys that are over a year old, in my experience, is easier than boars that are younger.

A key is going to be cage space. What size cage do you have for them to live in?

**ColoradoMama** · #3 07-02-09, 05:09 pm

Thanks for the reply Paula, I'm glad it was positive! My C&C cage is 3x5. Does this sound OK? I don't have room to build out any further, but could build up if necessary.

**PiggieMom** · #4 07-02-09, 05:09 pm

There is always a chance that certain pigs will not get along. Really, this depends on nothing more than personality, not really numbers or sex. If it is a very reputable rescue that has already done a 3 week quarentine with the potential adoptees you may look into bringing your pig to meet the pair. I've had success with this in the past. If this isn't an option then the best thing to do is to do everything you can to make it easier for them to work out their dominance issues.

I use this thread on guinea lynx as a guide for introductions. There's a lot of good tips and some pictures and videos of normal behavior for introductions.

Questions you need to ask yourself:
-What's the biggest I can make my cage?
A 2x5 is recommended for 3 boars, but the biggest cage you can make is best.
-Do I have room for two cages in case I end up with incapatable pigs? Is the rescue willing to work with me and switch out pigs?
There's always a chance that some pigs just won't get along. If there's continually failed introductions that lead to bloodshed, you need to have a plan of action.
-Am I really up to taking care of three pigs?
This seems obvoius, but really be sure you're ready for that number.

**ColoradoMama** · #5 07-02-09, 05:14 pm

PiggieMom, thanks for the reply. I would love to bring Gus to check them out together, but it is an hour and a half drive, each way, to this rescue and I'm worried it would be stressful for him. What do you think? I have a good carrier and I'm OK with it, but I don't know if Gus would be.

**PiggieMom** · #6 07-02-09, 05:24 pm

It probably would be stressful and I'd only do it if you're absolutely sure you trust the rescue and they've done proper quarantine procedures. I recently drove my elder pig three hours one way to visit with a rescue because she's particularly hard to pair with. It worked out very well bonding wise, but I think she may have caught some mites. On car trips I like to sit in the back seat with the pigs while my husband drives. I set up a mini cage with cubes and blankets complete with hay, pellets and a water bottle. We take frequent breaks and they get water soaked veggies throughout the trip.

**Paula** · #7 07-02-09, 05:31 pm

A 3x5 for three boys does sound reasonable. They might really like a loft area too, just for privacy and some personal space. It depends on the pigs, but it can't hurt.

I don't think the stress on Gus is probably worth driving him to meet the boys.

It does really depend on the pigs and their personalities, but as far as Gus goes, there are several things working in his favor, including his age and the fact that he's lived with another pig previously. Have you been able to find out much about the personalities of the other pigs?

**ColoradoMama** · #8 07-02-09, 05:53 pm

Paula, I did ask them about their levels of aggression and she told me they are pretty calm. When I told her that I had a boar already, she said that typically you can't have more than two boars, but I knew I had heard of people on here having more than that.

She said that they are pretty good about being handled, one more than the other. These are the only two that this rescue has at the moment, so there is no chance of swapping if they don't work out. I don't know how I feel about that anyway.

I do understand that if it doesn't work out that I will have to have two cages. I will cross my fingers that this is not the case. If you had to give me a percentage fo the chances that this could work out, what would you say? 50%? 60%? 90%?!?! I'm just trying to make myself feel better

**Paula** · #9 07-02-09, 05:58 pm

So much really comes down to the individual pigs. I'd say it's 50/50. You could always do a divided cage and they could at least have companionship that way if they can't get along.

Or you could get your guy a spayed female. I'm guessing that would get his vote, paws down.

Good luck, whatever you do.

**ColoradoMama** · #10 07-10-09, 02:00 pm

Just wanted to give an update on my boar situation!!

Well, I picked up Tanner and Cal from the Summit County Animal Shelter in Frisco, CO. They've been in quarantine there for about 3 months, so they were safe to introduce. They have been at the shelter for about 3 months and the team there was so happy that they were adopted out together. They have been together forever and lots of inquiries were made to take one, but they really wanted them to go together.

I noticed something strange though; when I got them home (after an 1.5 hour car ride!) I gave them a thorough inspection. The previous owner who gave them up to the shelter said that they had them for 2 years, but I looked at their nails when I was inspecting them and they have tiny baby nails. They are sharp and pointy, almost like they have never been cut.

Why would someone lie about how long they had them?? What is the point in that? What would there be to gain out of such a silly lie?

Things are a little rough going! My Gus is by far the BIGGEST pig out of the three, but one of the new guys, Cal, is really challenging him. There is LOTS of mounting and teeth chattering coming from Cal. Gus is just sort of putting up with it and not fighting back too much. Tanner, the other new guy seems so scared of what's going on. I have them in a giant pen on my kitchen floor and its about 3 feet tall, but Tanner has jumped straight up in the air a couple times like he is trying to get out. He makes a whining/crying sound. The other two have just left him alone. They must not see him as much of a threat.

They have been together for an hour now and things will quiet down for a minute or two than Cal and Gus start right back up. Should I go for the buddy bath?? What do you think?

**Paula** · #11 07-10-09, 02:07 pm

I can tell you that people lie about all kinds of things for all kinds of reasons. It's possible they really thought they had the pigs for 2 years. Seems unreasonable to you or me, but if they didn't place much value on the pigs to begin with, they could have over- or underestimated the time they'd had them. If you have a vet that's experienced with guinea pigs (and as I remember from previous posts you do) s/he might be able to give you an accurate estimate of their ages.

I'd let them work out their dominance issues and resort to a bath if it just seems to be too hard on them. You have to remember, boys will be boys, and they have to work things out themselves. The more you intervene, the more time it will ultimately take for them to establish the order of dominance.

Good luck. I know it's really hard to watch them struggle and bicker and squabble.

**Rnd210** · #12 07-10-09, 02:17 pm

It really just sounds like Gus and Cal are just trying to figure ou the dominance order among them and they will figure it out and if you not confident of giveing baths I wouldn't try the buddy bath as it is a last resort. Have you put hay in a pile in the middle of the introduction area and some veggies to destract them. It may help them get along.

**ColoradoMama** · #13 07-10-09, 02:52 pm

Paula, you're right, it is hard to watch! When Cuy was with us, he and Gus never fought. There never even seemed to be a dominant pig, they were pretty equal. So this whole thing must be a real shock for poor Gus. I just have to keep telling myself that I did this FOR Gus, not TO him. This is supposed to be positive for him. I'm optimistic about the whole thing.

I'm finishing up cleaning the cage, and waiting on a final load of pig laundry, then I'll make the decision whether I should put them in the cage or the tub! Right when I think things have calmed down, I hear crazy noises out of my kitchen. I'm in the dining room listening to them, but there is an island between them and me, I don't bother them unless I hear anything crazy.

My son is so funny!! When Cal is mounting Gus he says "Look Mom! They're hugging! I think they're friends now!" I just tell him they have to get all that "hugging" out of their system before we put them together in the cage!!

**NicholsS10** · #14 07-10-09, 03:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoradoMama

My son is so funny!! When Cal is mounting Gus he says "Look Mom! They're hugging! I think they're friends now!" I just tell him they have to get all that "hugging" out of their system before we put them together in the cage!!

Don't kids just say the darnest things?

Good luck with your intros and good luck tonight with them. I have no experience with introducing boars, I only have one boar, and since he's neutered he lives with 4 girls. I can imagine that it's quite difficult to watch though. Remember, just don't separate unless there is blood shed, or one of them won't let another one eat or drink.

**jamie15701** · #15 07-10-09, 05:28 pm

That is too cute about your son! what comes out of the mouths of babes is amazing isn't it?

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