gem
Junior Member
Posts: 32
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Post by gem on Aug 10, 2005 20:49:28 GMT
Hello! I paired up Dougal and Pumpkin earlier this year with great success thus far. Dougal is my rescue coronet I've had since September 2004. He has a very strong personality and is just full of character. But he was a bit lonely and I was determined to find him a companion. Pumpkin was born to my guinea pig Peach on good friday earlier this year. Once Pumpkin got to 6 weeks old, I introduced him to Dougal in the run, for mutual territory. I also had the advantage of letting Dougal visit Pumpkin at a much younger age. I rubbed some of Dougal's bedding onto Pumpkin so that they smelt alike, and so that Pumpkin did not smell of his mother and encourage any uneccessary pig on pig action. The pair are now inseperable. Pumpkin follows Dougal around everywhere and they squeak for each other if they get separated. I think size matters when keeping the peace. Dougal is so big and Pumpkin is so small, so Pumpkin tends to accept his role of allowing Dougal to be the leader. If they were of equal size, more fights may have broken out. I also gave Pumpkin a bolt hole in the form of some smaller fiddlestix so that he could get away from Dougal if he wanted to. Dougal and Pumpkin have a food bowl and water bottle each, and a place to hide each. I find that this gives them less to fight over. Hope this helps others to keep the peace! Love Gem.xXx
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Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on Aug 10, 2005 21:06:25 GMT
Thanks for that... I'm sure it will prove useful to other members too. Now or in the future. You can see Pumpkin and Dougal in the Pigture of the month thread in the Pigtures forum where Gem has posted their adorable pic. Both beautiful piggys and their is nothing more heartwarming than seing a lonely boar find friendship... and seing two good friends. I think Gem introduced Pumkin as a baby, there is a page to help you if you are thinking of doing this yourself on the website. here is a direct link www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/options2.htm
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Post by purplekatie on Apr 10, 2006 15:10:39 GMT
I have a 3 or 4 year old boar (when i got him, the last owners couldn't remember how old he was), and now that I have finally got my C&C cage ready, there is space for a friend for Haggis! I've never paired up boars before, and have had a think about options, but would appreciate some advice from the old hands here. Would he be better with another adult or a young baby? I can split the cage with grids so they could see each other, so would it be best to keep them like that before introducing them, or to introduce them first and put them in together? Also, does anyone know of a good rescue in Scotland (preferably Edinburgh area) that has experience of boar match-making?
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Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on Apr 13, 2006 18:02:36 GMT
I would recommend a young baby (4-6 weeks) in terms of a smooth introduction, although my personal preferance is introducing older boars, simply beacsue it may be harder to get them together in the first place but if you do you can be more certain their friendship will last. It really is a tough call. Great news you are after a pal for Haggos though, I gather that big age gaps seem to work really well in terms of getting boys to get along... but they do say older boars especially ones who have never had company are harder to pair up. So I would be tempted to look for a 4-6 week old boar for him... bearing in mind that there is a possibility (though it is rare it has happened to me!) that the baby will grow up and challenge the adult for dominance. In most cases they settle things one way or the other, but problems can arise if they don't and end up warring in which case they have to be seperated. If you do decide to go for a baby still try the rescues they may have some babys of the right age, otherwise ask them for a local breeder of your favorite type of piggy with a good reputation. Check out the option pages on www.barmy4boars.co.uk to help with the process/making up your mind. I do know of a rescue in Scotland, but it is in Perth. It is called Thistle cavies. The url is www.guineapigrescue.co.uk good luck! and do let us know how you get on.
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Post by purplekatie on Apr 15, 2006 12:02:27 GMT
Thanks for your advice - that's a big help. Will definitely contact the Perth rescue to see if they have any baby boars or know of any good breeders. Here's hoping that the introductions go smoothly! I'll keep you posted...
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Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on Apr 16, 2006 20:28:34 GMT
Great news! I'm so excited for you.
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Post by Pooks Mum on Apr 19, 2006 15:30:39 GMT
I have two boars that live separately side by side but come out to play together each night. Pookey is 4yrs and Lil Ted is 8 months. Pookey lost his mate last year Snowy who lived with him and after Snowy left us Pookey seemed to "not mind" being alone in his cage although he would wander round the room a bit in the evening ( I let them out every morning and all evening) so we got Rodney, when I put them out together they were fine Pookey is very laid back but he really didn't appreciate someone living in his house, unfortunately we lost Rodney after just two months and Pookey again seemed fine alone quite glad to be getting all the grub and attention! But I really thought he may be a bit lonely at playtime so we got Lil Ted - little in size but ENORMOUS personality! They live side by side during the day and in the evening the play out together in and out of each others cages no problem at all. I have tried just closing the door when they are in the cage together but Lil Ted is there in a flash as if to say "Let me out!!". When its bedtime and I put the hay and fresh seed in they just go to their respective cages stand for a minute as if to say "Night ,see you in the morning" and bounce off into the hay mound.
Its been a very stress less exercise and it seems a perfect solution to boars. Pookey tolerated Snowy because they had always been together but I think he decided he wasn't gonna put up with anymore youngsters although he does play nicely with Ted. I really do think that every pig has a completely different personality I have had many pigs over the years - all boars and find that forcing them together just doesn't work. I can't imagine life without piglets even though I'm 43 this year!!
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Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on Apr 19, 2006 19:54:52 GMT
Thats a lovely story, how lovely that they can be neighbours and even run together twice a day. I've found that piggys who will tolerate each other in floor time will usually tolerate each other in the cage, provided it is big enough and totally cleaned out when they are put in together so it doesn't smell like anyone's territory. But there are always exceptions- they certainly tell us what they do/do not like don't they? Totally agree about not forcing the issue as far as pairing up goes, with my pigs it seems that if was going to work it has to be a careful matching of personalities and done slowely. Anyway, thanks for sharing your story its great to hear from someone who clearly has a love of boars too! Would love to see piccys of Pookey and Ted sometime!
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Post by Pooks Mum on Apr 26, 2006 12:52:59 GMT
Hi all. I have tried to log on but I cant get activated!! So I'll have to stay as a guest!
Just wanted to share my news with anyone who reads this; new baby arriving tomorrow white baby teddy!! Haven't a clue what to name him (already have a little Ted although not a teddy he's brown aby!! and Pookie black & white dutch) New babe will live next to little ted for a while in isolation before intros begin. Please feel free to suggest some names and I'll keep you posted!!
Thanks for reading!
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Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on Apr 26, 2006 17:55:18 GMT
Will check out the activation problem, please accept my apologies.
Great news. Congratulations!
Name wise... how about Bear (asin Ted & Bear)
Cuddles, Floppy, Flump
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Post by Pooks Mum on May 3, 2006 10:05:02 GMT
Well new boy has arrived! Breeder let me down and so I thought no more about it. Then went to my local pet shop yesterday to buy hay and as fate would have it there was a little dark eyed cream rex boar just sitting in the cage! I asked to have a hold checked him over throroughly and took him home!! Bad to buy from shops I know but he is adorable - called him Chippy! Quarantining him for couple of weeks but his cage is next to Pooks but I have to pick it up when Pooks and Ted come out. So now I have 3 boars all living seperately! But hopefully will all play out together in time.
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Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on May 4, 2006 17:45:36 GMT
Aww congratulations. Chippy sounds lovely.
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Post by Erin on Sept 27, 2011 6:07:47 GMT
i am going to get my piggy or piggies this week, and i want to get two (preferably two males; cause they would be having play dates with another male and we don't want babies) but my question is, if i bought two males at the same time from the same place would they be ok? i don't really have a way of knowing if they were from the same litter but if they were housed for a few days and are ok would i have problems if i took both home? i would obviously try to look for the two that are following each other around the cage as apposed to taking two i don't see interacting with each other.
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