Introducing Boars - HELP

[Mossy Paws]

I was told to expect some fighting, so I wasn't too concerned when I had to break one up last night while introducing year old boars in their new 2x4CCcage. I watched them for several hours. Today I was called unexpectedly in to work, and returned to find the less dominant boar hiding in the corner with half a dozen bite scabs. A serious fight, and bite, then caused him to limp before I could separate them. I then divided the cage, and covered the divider with cloth. I don't want to give in too early if this kind of behavior is "normal" - and they will eventually get along, but I'm really worried about this boy getting so beat up. Whoever has experience with this - Please ADVISE!!

[Wheek Minded]

Some boars can live in 2x4 others..not so much. My cage is 3x4 with a 2x3 upper level and I swear if it was any smaller I would have had some serious bloodshed.

Did you follow these rules:
http://cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm
Guinea Lynx :: Companionship

It is not common for them to fight so intensely that anyone gets injured beyond a "butt scab", however for young boars a 2x4 is a bit small. Males will push and push at their territory, and if the passive pig has no way to get away, he will get it until the aggressive pig gives up, or kills him. It depends on how aggressive the aggressive pig is.

The way I chose to deal with an overly aggressive baby boar, was to allow for plenty of space, and about 6 various hiding spots in the 2 level cage. I made sure that all hideys that have multiple exits (so that no one gets trapped inside and attacked) I made sure that there was unlimited hay, pellets and water in two locations as well. I also never separated them at any time. Floor time was together, lap time was also together. Everyone told me that separating them and putting them back together makes them have to re-establish their place each time.

I credit the success of my pairing of these two boars to the fact that the habitat was so large and had so much to do that they would lose interest in the fight after the loser ran upstairs to cool off when the aggressive pig was in a bad mood. Essentially, I think they were fighting over the "level" instead of the cage. In addition, the loser could always get away from an attack. I have two identical hideys and bent grids for tunnels etc. Then everyday I moved it all around to keep their minds occupied. I used fleece cage blankets to lay over sections so that had places to play. Stuff like that. I used everything I could to keep them occupied. They still bickered and had occasional fights, but no serious bloodshed

One important element was also that they normally got along. Shared the same piece of lettuce, hang out in the hay bin etc.. They did rumblestrut ALL the time during adolescence with the occasional head butt. However, they only got into "fisticuffs" on a few occasions, and I did find several butt scabs over the weeks and one time had an ear get bit or cut. No serious injuries so I left them together.

Any fights happened so fast that I didn't even have time to separate. I attribute that to having plenty of room. The loser would go upstairs and wait until "the old man" settled down. Of course, the aggressive pig was the baby, only 5 weeks old when introduced!

My passive pig LOVES to be with the aggressive pig and that is when things would get tough. After a few months they stopped almost all aggression and now they only rumblstrut. They even sleep near each other a lot now.

Have you tried buddy bath?
Are there females in the room?


In my case, I chose for larger habitat. Some folks do find that the divider thing works others say it didn't.

[thamlet2149]

Hi, I am new to this forum, however I am a private rescue as well as been a breeder for awhile. So introducing boars is my specialty. My honest opinion on introducing boars is, never introduce to boars at the same age if either is over about 4 months old or if either one has ever been in breeding. Of course the fighting is normal, what they do in the wild to protect their sows and territory, but not something you want to do to them forever. The best thing to do if you are more attached to one over the other is find one of them a home and then rescue a very young male, 4 wks to 8wks old, the older males will not hurt the baby. OR keep them both, but split them up and find two little guys, one for each of them. He may chase the baby around and try to mount him, but that will only last just a couple of hours at most usually. Then the two will grow up best buddies and can be housed in a 1x3 if needed.

I am not sure who gave you the information that two boars at 1 year old could go together and not fight nasty. For anyone else out there with out an experienced breeder or rescue trained in this, and even for them, I never suggest introducing two boars who are each over 4 months old it can be a very dangerous thing for each piggie and for the owner as well.

If anyone ever has questions about this please feel free to email me at thamlet2149@aol.com.

Tamara

[Foggycreek]

Tamara,

There have been many, many people who have introduced adult boars and have them living happily together! I don't know where you get your information that you can't. Read the stories here Guinea Lynx :: Topic - Boars Living Together and check out the forums at Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home and Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig . Read the informatin on social life and introductions at Index of / .

I'm sure all those people who have been able to bond adult males will be surprised to hear that it can't be done.

[thamlet2149]

You are right, it can be done, but not suggested.... The welfare of the piggies should always be concidered first. I just explained the least harmful way to introduce male piggies with out the knock down drag out fights that can cause and injury or even death for either boar. I still never promote placing two older boars together if at all possible.

Thank you,
Tamara

[sus4rabbitsnpigs]

Is this your breeding website? Willamette Valley Caviary

[Josephine]

Aak! I have had numerous boars (all more than 1 yr old) paired or placed in trios successfully. I have had a few failures, but I am usually able to pair those boars up with other more suitable boars as long as I wait and select the proper temperaments. It is a common myth I was once taught myself. Now that I have paired many boars successfully (including tons of breeder dumps who wer doubtless used for breeding show pigs), I try to educate others that it can be done safely!

A lot has to do with temperament, but check out the CavySpirit links--those methods work well if it will work. If it doesn't, you may need help with pairing other pigs together. That's the nice thing knowledgable rescuers can help new owners with. I also suggest at least a 2 x 5 C & C. It is my minimum cage size for any pair, especially boars. It is NOT normal for successful boar pairings for them to inflict serious wounds. That would cause me pause, certainly.

[sus4rabbitsnpigs]

Can you expand the cage and maybe add a loft? Try a buddy bath? They may work it out, or you could adopt a baby boar for each.

[Jennicat]

Originally Posted by thamlet2149

You are right, it can be done, but not suggested.... The welfare of the piggies should always be concidered first. I just explained the least harmful way to introduce male piggies with out the knock down drag out fights that can cause and injury or even death for either boar. I still never promote placing two older boars together if at all possible.

Thank you,
Tamara

I find that very curious coming from a rescue. As a rescue worker who has helped pair a fair amount of boars, I find that older boars are generally safer to pair than their younger, hormonal counterparts.

In fact, I was finally able to introduce all 6 of my pigs together (3 intact boars, 1 neutered boar, and 2 spayed females) together AFTER all the boars went over the 2 year mark and became markedly more laid back and docile.

[thamlet2149]

Yes it is my site, but you forgot the whole title, Willamette Valley Rabbity, Caviary and Rescue. But thanks for the plug anyway. What I don't understand about this whole post is no one was willing to give any advice at all for four days. Then someone steps in and offers a suggestion and you all go wild because I said I have bred pigs, and to be honest my SON still does. He is in 4-H and active in the open show circuit. If this is the way people get treated and judged, I am glad I haven't told you my ethnicity. Above all things, the person who posted is not a rescuer, breeder or a pet store clerk. And as it is she already has an injured little guy. My main concern is the welfare of the piggies not being a hero when it comes to forcefully introducing two boars. She obviously loves these guys enough to jump on the computer to ask for help, lets give her the right advice for the situation. And obviously the more dominate male has already done enough damage, what do you guys want, the poor little guy dead? And a potential owner distraught, possible never to want another piggie. It is not hard to see my intention here, and what the best advice for the situation really is. Get over it.