2 neutered males with 3 females?

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SeraphinaPheobe&Primrose

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just have a quick question regarding if it's possible to house 2 neutered males with 3 females?

Backstory:
2 months ago I adopted a baby Guinea Pig (prim) in hopes that she could help bond my 2 older females (both 4 years) who I had been trying to pair up for a year but just weren't getting along. Luckily it worked out and the 3 are a very tight knit trio! However we soon found out that little baby Prim was pregnant, which was ver surprising because we got her 3-4 weeks old. Went to the vet later on and confirmed our suspicions, she was having twins. Fast forward to yesterday she gave birth to 2 little babies both very healthy at a little over 100g each. All 3 are doing amazing, we had the vet check the yesterday to be sure. However I have a sneaking suspicion that both are little boys, I'm hopeful at least one of them is a girl but judging on all the reference photos they look like males. Although it might still be too early to tell. I want to be able to keep them both as I have the space and ability to, however I cannot keep them seperate from my other pigs.

So to the question:
is it possible to have them both in a herd with my 3 females once they're neutered? I've seen a lot of yes or no answers regarding keeping neutered boars in multiples in herds. Some say that it's possible if they've been together since they were young? Please let me know!
also there's the concern considering the huge age gap, that if my two older females pass away first then would only prim being present with the two neutered boars become an issue? or would this work out as they've been together since birth and are brothers?

Thanks! hoping at least one is a girl still! would be the best outcome if both were but just one would fix this issue :,)
 
You can only have one neutered boar with any number of sows. They will fight over the sows. Boars that grow up around sows will usually not be affected by their pheromones. But nonetheless it's better not to risk it. They're better off in separate rooms. If not then in a cage above the sows. And you always handle boars before dealing with sows.
 
Siikibam said:
You can only have one neutered boar with any number of sows. They will fight over the sows. Boars that grow up around sows will usually not be affected by their pheromones. But nonetheless it's better not to risk it. They're better off in separate rooms. If not then in a cage above the sows. And you always handle boars before dealing with sows.
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Swissgreys said:
A good guide to what will work is here
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

But basically you either need to keep the boys as a pair, or have them neutered and pair them with a sow or two each.
Multiple boys can not live with females.
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ah thank you both for your advice, if they both end up being boys sadly I'll have to revoke one of them :(
going to have to look into good rescues in my area or see if I can convince my dad to take one in (of course he'd have to get another for a pair lol)
still fingers cross at least one is a girl!
 
Could you not put them in a stacked cage above the sows? As long as it's 150x60cm minimum. I wouldn't give a single one to your dad. They really need companionship at that age so wouldn't be right to leave him alone. So it would be better to give him to a rescue than someone.
 
Siikibam said:
Could you not put them in a stacked cage above the sows? As long as it's 150x60cm minimum. I wouldn't give a single one to your dad. They really need companionship at that age so wouldn't be right to leave him alone. So it would be better to give him to a rescue than someone.
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I sent photos to a rescue and they also said they both look male so I'm looking into the stacked cages, not too sure if I'm keeping both seperate or giving one away. I do have to take in account that neutering is risky
my dad would get another if he took one in as I had said
I'm having a hard time picking between the two of them as the little patch one has stolen my heart already and has a pretty tame personality for a 4 day old Guinea Pig, however the other one is endearing because he's almost a perfect replica of his mom and she seems to like him a lot, they're always together while the other is a little more adventurous/independent. so it's really hard to choose, I'm hoping to keep both tho.
been saying them everyday and their weights have been rapidly going up, hard to believe how big they have gotten already :,)
 
I wouldn’t have your dad take one on until he has another boar to pair him with. At such a young age (under four months) they need guidance, socialising and learning how to be a piggy, so shouldn’t be alone for any length of time.

As for a rescue telling the sex, it’s better with hands on rather than a photo. You should try and check the sexes yourself. You’ve got mum to compare to in terms of what she looks (and feels) like. I hope you can keep them both.
 
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