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Depressed Piggy..?

RubyPiggie2

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I just had a litter(accidental) of two babies. One was a boy, and had to be seperated at 2 weeks old. Well, ever since he has been seperated, he is no where near as active as he used to be, hides away every second, even when I'm not around, and won't eat what I give him. There is always food left over from the hours earlier, or days earlier(I take it out over a 24 hour period if it is veggies-1 if fruit). I'm concerned, why won't he eat?! He is in a 2x4 right now right next to the girls. He has to have a barrier up unfortunately because he is barely small enough to squeeze through the grids. He also dosen't drink too much water. I think I am going to put another boar in with him, since he is so young and this boar is blind and dosen't mind other boars(he is in a cage with 3 other 2 month boars- he is about 5 months). Do you think this will cure his depressed state of mind? I am very concerned, any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you,

Amanda
 

KmKrazy9

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Maybe you could try some floor time with the two boars, just to see how they get along and if it goes well maybe let them be cage mates. It might be a good idea because my boar who doesnt have anyone in his cage seems a little lonely too.
 

ice_on_fire

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you could desex your little boy then put him together with the girls again..?
 

Treen

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Two weeks is a little young for a pig to be separated anyway, so it's not surprising he's a little fed up. In the first few weeks they learn all about eating, socialising, cleaning etc. from copying their mum, and so he's bound to be a bit behind on those fronts too.

Introducing him to another boar is a great idea, and most people find that combinations of younger and older boars work the best. Just follow the advice on this page https://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm#Introductions.

Good luck.
 

RubyPiggie2

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Treen,

I do know that this is a little too young, but he was already sexually mature and I couldn't keep him in the cage- especially since there are four girls!!
I decided to put him in a cage with my boar, Sam. I had them on the couch for a while, and they really seemed to like each other. They are now in the cage, and both are loving it. My little one was eating, popcorning, drinking, and staying by Sam. He always does, and it's only been a day!!
What I think is cute, that little one trusts Sam so much, and knows Sam will be there for him is that whenever I come up to them, he dosen't run or anything like he used to. He just stands there eating with Sam, and even lets me pet him sometimes if he is feeling brave! He is just so cute! I'm grateful that he isn't as lonely as he used to be.
Sam is blind, but copes well in his new cage. Since I had to put a barrier up, Sam gets between the barrier and grids and gets stuck. I've already had to get him out two times :chuckle: from between that. He wants to reunite with his sister!! :) The little one dosen't try to get to the girls anymore now that he has daddy, Sam.
 

Piglet

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Thats great news. Glad to hear that they are getting along.
 

Starbucks

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two weeks?! your piggies need to nurse for at LEAST 4 weeks, usually 5-6. i would suggest putting it back in with its mother. maybe thats why it seems depressed, because he's not getting the right nutrition.

also, how do you know he is sexually mature yet?
 

Treen

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Starbucks, that's not right, 5-6 weeks is way too long as the boars will be fertile thus risking pregnancy in the mother or sisters. The ideal age for separation is 3-4 weeks https://www.guinealynx.info/breeding.html#separate. It may not happen very often, but boars as young as that (especially those that are sexually mature early which is evident in excessive rumbling and mounting behaviour) have been known to impregnate their mother/ sisters. It's far better to be safe that sorry, and three weeks is a good amount of time for them to learn eating and cleaning etc from their mum. Hopefully when separated, all pigs will have a same sex buddy, so socialisation can continue.

RubyPiggie2, I'm really pleased he has a new companion and I'm sure they'll both be very happy for their new buddy! Hope the harmony continues.
 
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