2 baby boars and a mom

[AnnaHeartsGuineaPigs]

Hello!

I adopted 3 guinea pigs a week ago, a mom and her two 1 week old pups. The babies are now 2 weeks and 3 days old and sadly, I think they are both males. I check them both twice a day and we know one of them is a boy, we are a bit iffy on the other one, but we still think they are both boys and in this post I will treat them as so. I have some questions about caring for 2 boars and a single mom.

1. Are there any important things to keep in mind with boar pairs? I know they are generally quite difficult, but is there anything I should do to heighten the possibility of them living together happily?
2. Can a female live in the same room as the babies or will it affect them negatively? They would not be able to see her (she would be on the opposite side of the room) but would it still affect them?
3. Do I just leave the babies in the cage together and take the mom away? No intros or anything needed?
4. If she can be kept in the same room, will the verbal communication provide the mom a sense of community and get her to feel less lonely? I really hate thinking about keeping her alone, but right now, another guinea pig isn't in the very near future and so she would need to be alone in a 2x3 we've built for a small while.

Sorry I always have so many questions, I'm just kind of disheartened over the whole situation

 

[Piggies&buns]

Boar pairs aren’t difficult, they have sadly got a bad and undeserved reputation, but the important thing with boar pairs is character compatibility and sadly that isn’t something you can control. Hopefully they will be fine together, but if they don’t have compatibility then there is nothing you can do about it.

Space is the next important thing. Two boars need a cage of 180cm x 60cm Or a 5x2 c&c cage. lack of space can cause problems Between them. You need to respect their hierarchy and handle the dominant piggy first, ensure all hideys have two exits so no piggy can get trapped by the other inside one. Always have two of every item and I like to use at least a hidey each for two boars (my two have four hideys at any one time).

Boars who grow up around sows tend to be less affected by sow pheromones, but it’s not ideal to have a boar pair in the presence of sows and generally the advice is to keep boar pairs in a separate room. However, as she is single she needs interaction. For the short term, while the boars are under four months of age having them near her shouldn’t be an issue for their bond, but once they get to their teens it might cause issues to be in the same room as her
she really needs a new friend of her own though and particularly if you do have to move the boar pair into a separate room. A 2x3 isn’t big enough for a single piggy, she really needs a 2x4 and it’ll definitely need to be a 2x4 when she gets a friend.

you must make sure they cannot escape their cage and get back in with her.

whether you remove mum or the babies from the cage is up to you but two boars cannot live in a 2x3.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[AnnaHeartsGuineaPigs]

Boar pairs aren’t difficult, they have sadly got a bad and undeserved reputation, but the important thing with boar pairs is character compatibility and sadly that isn’t something you can control. Hopefully they will be fine together, but if they don’t have compatibility then there is nothing you can do about it.

Space is the next important thing. Two boars need a cage of 180cm x 60cm Or a 5x2 c&c cage. lack of space can cause problems Between them. You need to respect their hierarchy and handle the dominant piggy first, ensure all hideys have two exits so no piggy can get trapped by the other inside one. Always have two of every item and I like to use at least a hidey each for two boars (my two have four hideys at any one time).

Boars who grow up around sows tend to be less affected by sow pheromones, but it’s not ideal to have a boar pair in the presence of sows and generally the advice is to keep boar pairs in a separate room. However, as she is single she needs interaction. For the short term, while the boars are under four months of age having them near her shouldn’t be an issue for their bond, but once they get to their teens it might cause issues to be in the same room as her
she really needs a new friend of her own though and particularly if you do have to move the boar pair into a separate room. A 2x3 isn’t big enough for a single piggy, she really needs a 2x4 and it’ll definitely need to be a 2x4 when she gets a friend.

you must make sure they cannot escape their cage and get back in with her.

whether you remove mum or the babies from the cage is up to you but two boars cannot live in a 2x3.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

I have a 2x6 which the boars will stay in.
We are going to the vet with the mom today to check her leg. We didn't give her more space because right now moving around seems to be a bit of a challenge for her with her leg, but if her leg and movement gets better we will upgrade her to a 2x4. I truly hope I can find her a companion soon, before the babies turn 4 months old. Also, how do you know which piggy is the dominant one?
P.S Does a tunnel count as a hidey? Or a fleece forest?

 

[Siikibam]

I think that if it broke a while ago then it’s likely that it’s ‘healed’. She may stay walking that way for ever but sounds like she has adapted well. Does it look misshapen?

A tunnel counts as a hide.

PS you can post clear photos and we can try and help you with sexing them. But hands-on is always the best way. Look at mum - inside the slit and feeling for penis ridge - then compare the pups and see if they look/feel the same or not.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I have a 2x6 which the boars will stay in.
We are going to the vet with the mom today to check her leg. We didn't give her more space because right now moving around seems to be a bit of a challenge for her with her leg, but if her leg and movement gets better we will upgrade her to a 2x4. I truly hope I can find her a companion soon, before the babies turn 4 months old. Also, how do you know which piggy is the dominant one?
P.S Does a tunnel count as a hidey? Or a fleece forest?

Excellent about the boars cage - perfect size for them.
Oh yes sorry I had forgotten about her poorly leg, but as Siikibam has rightly pointed out, if it has healed incorrectly then things may not get any better than they are now.
I'll link in the guide to the dominant behaviours thread as it'll explain it all.
Yes a tunnel counts and makes the best type of hide for boars given it has two exits. You can also use cardboard boxes and cut multiple doors into it.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[AnnaHeartsGuineaPigs]

I think that if it broke a while ago then it’s likely that it’s ‘healed’. She may stay walking that way for ever but sounds like she has adapted well. Does it look misshapen?

A tunnel counts as a hide.

It is very misshapen and hangs out on her side. She can move around, but she does limp quite a bit and it looks very awkward and uncomfortable when she walks. I'll see what the vet says today and what he suggests.

 

[AnnaHeartsGuineaPigs]

Excellent about the boars cage - perfect size for them.
Oh yes sorry I had forgotten about her poorly leg, but as Siikibam has rightly pointed out, if it has healed incorrectly then things may not get any better than they are now.
I'll link in the guide to the dominant behaviours thread as it'll explain it all.
Yes a tunnel counts and makes the best type of hide for boars given it has two exits. You can also use cardboard boxes and cut multiple doors into it.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

I'm very scared/concerned when it comes to finding her a companion. Because of her inability to walk properly I am worried she'll be picked on and, during any small fights, be denied food or access to a hide. Is this a possibility or am I overthinking it?

 

[Siikibam]

With regards being denied food, if you scatter feed then that issue won’t be there. The other pig won’t be able to sit in two places at a time. Having low mobility won’t necessarily mean she is picked on, but I can understand why you’re worried. See what to do when the time comes. And just be prepared that they may have to live separately (as neighbours) if they don’t like each other.

 

[AnnaHeartsGuineaPigs]

With regards being denied food, if you scatter feed then that issue won’t be there. The other pig won’t be able to sit in two places at a time. Having low mobility won’t necessarily mean she is picked on, but I can understand why you’re worried. See what to do when the time comes. And just be prepared that they may have to live separately (as neighbours) if they don’t like each other.

I'll try to give her A LOT of attention as a single piggie and if her movement ever gets normal I'll try to "date" her and get her a friend.

 

[Siikibam]

As I said I don’t think the movement will become normal if her leg healed that way. I’m afraid no amount of human interaction can replace the companionship (of their own kind) that they need. I would try as soon as you’ve confirmed the pups are boys and split them from mum.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I agree with everything Siikibam has said.
Her mobility will not cause any problems with regard to her ability to get on with another piggy.

 

[AnnaHeartsGuineaPigs]

As I said I don’t think the movement will become normal if her leg healed that way. I’m afraid no amount of human interaction can replace the companionship (of their own kind) that they need. I would try as soon as you’ve confirmed the pups are boys and split them from mum.

I agree with everything Siikibam has said.
Her mobility will not cause any problems with regard to her ability to get on with another piggy.

Ok, thanks guys. I am feeling very overwhelmed so I think I'll just take a quick break and get my mind on something else. Your help is greatly appreciated and thank you for some good info.