Bonding Bonding two boars?

[Fizzlepop40]

What are some good ways to introduce 2 boars? They get along great at floor time, but in the cage, Marble kind of bullies Twix. Any ideas?

 

[Nicolene]

Bullying is normal, I have 2 boys who have been together for a year and they still rumble and pester each other every day. If they are not biting and fighting and drawing blood they are fine. It's normal behavior for boys I think. Mine "seem" like they can't stand each other, but when we hold one they will "call" each other across the living room. When one had surgery and had to be kept fairly inactive the other had to be hand fed too because he missed his buddy and won't eat enough.

I find mine get more edgy if they don't get enough floor time, so keep up floor time and like I said, unless they are rolling around fighting they are fine. Make sure their cage is big enough and you have 2 of everything.

 

[bpatters]

Read Guinea Pigs Social Life. The section on Introductions is about halfway down.

 

[Lyonmom]

When is a piggy too old to introduce to a new pig? Just curious.

 

[OllieandFriends]

When is a piggy too old to introduce to a new pig? Just curious.

I don't think that they are ever too old to introduce them to a new pig. I've heard that some older pigs don't like energetic younger ones, and that some start to become more active. It all depends on the pigs.

@Fizzlepop40 Definatly read the link bpatters posted, it was my introduction bible! :crazy:

 

[Lyonmom]

Thank you!

 

[Fizzlepop40]

Nicolene : Okay! Thanks. They don't bite each other, just chatter and mount and chase. I have a 2x4 c&c, but I'm planning to make it at least a 2x5 when I get my loft bed, which should be sometime soon. Yes, I also have 2 of everything. bpatters : I've read that. I should again. OllieandFriends : Yes, I was going to do just that to see if there was anything that I missed reading.

 

[bpatters]

Sounds pretty normal to me. More space will likely help, especially since they get along during floor time.

 

[OllieandFriends]

Do you have actual hidey houses? My boys would always fight over them, and over everything else, so now they have fleece dropped over the corners. I also did a buddy bath. There is still a lot of rumbling but not nearly as much.

 

[Fizzlepop40]

Okay! Thanks, bpatters. I will most definitely make the cage larger when my bed gets done. Twix lunges at Marble sometimes, he doesn't bite though.. @OllieandFriends I have 2 old ice cream buckets with 2 entrances cut in each. I'll have to try what you did. Will towels work? I'll try the buddy bath too.

 

[OllieandFriends]

Yes, when I first did it I used towels. Just make sure that they don't chew on them and that there aren't any dangling strings and I think it should be fine.

 

[Fizzlepop40]

OK! thanks.

 

[bpatters]

Fizzlepop, if they're already together and not biting each other, you don't need to do the buddy bath. That's for when they're introduced for the very first time.

Make sure your hideys have two holes in them so nobody gets trapped.

 

[Fizzlepop40]

OK bpatters. Thanks. What about Twix randomly lunging at Marble? Is that normal?

 

[bpatters]

If he's not actually biting, then I'd let it be. But I do think your cage size is part of the problem, and hope you'll see some relief when you get it enlarged.

 

[Fizzlepop40]

No, I don't think he's biting. I haven't seen\heard any distress or bite marks on Marble. I agree about the cage. I hope I can get it enlarged soon.