My boar, Nigel Thornberry, came to me as a foster with his very unbonded cage mate, Luke, whom, I was able to rehome. Nigel and his adorableness has persuaded me to keep him;
- However, I have two and a half questions:
1. He weighed 1300 kg when I got him. He now weighs 1200 kg. 1000 kgs in a month doesn't seem normal to me. He has not changed eating habits that I can tell. He happily eats veggies, hay and pellets. Is the weight loss due to him being lonely? My two other boars do not get along with him and it upsets their own relationship so the idea of them being a trio is kaput. I've read that finding a baby boar (vs an adult) is an easier and more sure way to establish dominance?
2. HE SMELLS LIKE A BILLY GOAT. He has since I got him. Initially I thought maybe he was impacted or something, but nope! His secret sac (as I call it *vom*) was just regular/healthy stinky. I then found his grease gland...from this unassuming, benign looking spot was where the ripe, billy goat funk was coming from. It was matted/grease-glommed down. Our friend Dawn dishwashing liquid helped and since, his grease gland looks/feels normal so I don't think it's called for to wash it again just because it's working properly albeit, smelly. I think overwashing is a bad idea and may even cause over production? Am I to accept that this is simply his smell and get used to it? I already have an air purifier by his cage so that line of defense has been taken...what else can I do?
Best, Christin :)