Do we find a friend for Scooby, or keep him by himself?

[A4PigHome]

For a month we have had 2 young boars (Frank and Scooby) that didn't always get along. They would occasionally chatter at each other, but we never saw them fight...until today. My husband broke up the fight, and one was actually bleeding. So we decided to separate the two. We have a 2-story cavy cage, 2x4 grids (bottom) and 1x4 grids (top). We now have Frank and our other two gentle younger boars in the bigger bottom part, and Scooby is in the top, where he preferred to be anyway (and probably what the fight was originally about).

My question is, should we ever try introducing a new boar in Scooby's cage?

He didn't seem to care to be with the other 2 younger boars. He never fought with them, but would often chase them around the cage the first two weeks they were all together. Scooby was in a cage by himself when we first got him, so perhaps he was use to being by himself? I know guinea pigs are social/herd animals, and I have read on this site many times about not caging them by themselves, but I also don't want to adopt a new guinea pig only to find out that Scooby won't get along with him either. We hate to see him by himself, but we'll do it if that is what is best for him.

Has anyone else had problems with their boars? Did you have to separate them? Did the problem ones ever get along with another boar later on?

 

[Smudger]

Erm...would it be practical to redesign the cages so instead of a bottom/top floor design, you have two ground floor cages? That way you could have them side by side and still able to see/talk to each other. It may not be ideal, but it's the beat I can come up with!

 

[dagwellismypigy]

Some pigs are loners. If you see that he get's depressed, not moving around much or making much noise you may want to think of re-arranging their cage so it's completely diffrent including where the second level is, and try a buddy bath.

 

[critterlover]

Part of the problem might have been that the cage is not big enough. Have you checked out the cage size recommendations on https://guineapigcages.com/?
3 boars need a 2x5 and 1 boar needs a 2x3. I've read that some people recommend even bigger cages for boars.

I've heard of people having 2 or 3 boars living together peacefully, given enough space. But 4? That seems too much, although I'm sure someone will post an example to the contrary.

Probably your best bet is to build a 2x4 2nd level on your cage. Then have 2 pigs upstairs and 2 pigs downstairs. I know some people have had to make their cages 2x5 for their 2 boars to get along, so you could make your cage even bigger if you have space.

It's also important for them to have 2 of everything: 2 cozies, 2 waterbottles etc. And also lots and lots of hay.

Also, check out https://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm#Introductions. Maybe a buddy bath would help re-introduce them once you get the cage sorted out.

Interestingly, I introduced 2 boars today. They got along fantastically on the floor in a huge area, then I plopped them in my 2x2 loft and they started teeth chattering. I think it would be the same if you put too many people in a small house, they'd fight.

 

[AngelsCavies]

I had that problem with my 2 boars awhile back. Scruffy bit my Gizmo and costed me 100 bucks just for a 5 min visit. Scruffy is a loner and hates to be with other boars but he loves to be with girls. He cant cause he is not fixed. So we gave Scruffy to my neice to take care of. He is happy though.

 

[A4PigHome]

So far all the guineas seem much happier now that Scooby is by himself. Even he seems happier. Due to the size of the table, we are unable to change the shape of our current cage, or add on to it. However we still want Scooby to see the others. So I sectioned off the ramp to the top level, and made it so Scooby can come down to see the others, but not join them. We'll see how that goes. I think he is a loner, although he does love human affection.

Anyone else have a guinea that originally wasn't fond of others when he was young, but then enjoyed being with other guineas later on? Or, will Scooby probably always want to be by himself?

 

[pennick]

As long as he seems happy, eating, running, getting attention from you then I think you should just leave him alone. I would under no circumstances get another male piggy for him. Wait a couple of weeks and see how things go.

 

[A4PigHome]

Scooby has been separated from the other 3 boars for almost a week now, and ALL the cavies are VERY happy. Scooby seems content to live alone, but he can see the others during floor time, and there is also a partial ramp that he can go down and just view the others (and they can see him too). Thanks to everyone for their advice!

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Have you thought about introducing on of the other boars that Scooby has not lived with previously to him?