3 boars - how big a c&c cage would YOU say is adequate?

[iamsnape]

So, I have 2 boars at the moment, and they are in a 2x3.5 cage with a 1x2 loft (yes, 3.5...I couldn't fit 4. It's actually a little over 3.5 if we wanna be exact lol). In the future I would love to adopt a third boar - I can't right now because I still live with my folks while I'm doing my degree and what they say kinda goes out of respect, really.
What size cage would you say is right for 3 boars? Noah and Elmo used to be in a 2x3 but people on another forum had a go and said it was too small, so I expanded as much as I could, although they seemed happy in it. So I just wanted opinions for 3 boars really, for future reference, whenever I am able (and if I do end up doing it) to get a third addition.

Of course, feeding arrangements would have to change - their loft is their kitchen at the moment but I would probably need to have some feeding stuff downstairs as it wouldn't fit 3 chubby little ones in.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

First off, two boars need to remain as a pair so adding a third is not a good idea...it will end up with them very likely fighting and you'd risk having three single piggies so stick with the two you have is my advice.
Boys do need quite a large space as they are territorial, this lessens the chances of them arguing and falling out.
My two sets of boys have two levels per pen, both 5 cc grids in length and 2.5 grids in width with a ramp to an upper level which means they can be as close or as far apart as they wish.
Bigger is better obviously. I have a neutered boy and his wife who have a pen 4.5 grids long x 2.5 grids wide and is sufficient as they are my golden oldies and don't race around like the younger piggies. If your boys are ok at present, age depending, it is good to have a plan of action as when they hit the hormonal stage, space could become an issue. How old are your boys ?
Sows can live in pairs or groups or bonded with a single neutered male and males live well in pairs (never add a sow) Three boars just does not work or a sow and two males.
Please do not hesitate to ask on here for any concerns you have, we're all happy to help - I knew very little about piggies until I joined the forum and now have 19 of them as I gained so much knowledge and lots of confidence to expand in numbers

 

[iamsnape]

First off, two boars need to remain as a pair so adding a third is not a good idea...it will end up with them very likely fighting and you'd risk having three single piggies so stick with the two you have is my advice.
Boys do need quite a large space as they are territorial, this lessens the chances of them arguing and falling out.
My two sets of boys have two levels per pen, both 5 cc grids in length and 2.5 grids in width with a ramp to an upper level which means they can be as close or as far apart as they wish.
Bigger is better obviously. I have a neutered boy and his wife who have a pen 4.5 grids long x 2.5 grids wide and is sufficient as they are my golden oldies and don't race around like the younger piggies. If your boys are ok at present, age depending, it is good to have a plan of action as when they hit the hormonal stage, space could become an issue. How old are your boys ?
Sows can live in pairs or groups or bonded with a single neutered male and males live well in pairs (never add a sow) Three boars just does not work or a sow and two males.
Please do not hesitate to ask on here for any concerns you have, we're all happy to help - I knew very little about piggies until I joined the forum and now have 19 of them as I gained so much knowledge and lots of confidence to expand in numbers

Noah is nearly 10 months old and Elmo is 7 months. If I were to get a third pig at any point I would adopt an older male (I didn't know about the hormonal phase when I got these two as babies), as I wouldn't wanna risk any adolescent fights. Thankfully these two haven't acted up at all in their 'teenage years' - they don't bicker or fight at all and are happy to share I got lucky!

Do three boars definitely not work together? I know a couple of people that keep three together and I have also seen a some on this one and another forum...I know it's tricky and finding boars of 'combinable' ages help, just gathering up tips and ideas for when it can happen, but if it's definitely not a good idea then I won't.

 

[teadragon]

I would disagree that boars can only be kept in pairs. I had five boars living together at one point and they all got on wonderfully. It is the dynamic of the piggy herd and their personalities that will affect whether they will be able to co-exist together in a large cage and not just the number and the gender. It is easier to have a large group when you avoid the <1 year crazy hormonal teenager stage, though! All of my boars were introduced once they were over a year as by then the boar isn't going nuts with hormones.

Not to "have a go" but 2x3 is what's recommended for one guinea pig on guinea pig cages and a 2x4 for two. You really are looking at wanting a 2x5 minimum for three boars and more if you are planning on having two older boys and then introducing a baby or adolescent boar. Boars seem to go through phases of loving each other and then suddenly decide that their buddy just ate their favourite piece of hay - you want to give them enough room to run around the sort themselves out and less than 2x5 won't give you that. Having 2x5 split over two levels doesn't count you want a nice stretch of floor for them to run on.

My five boars were in a very large cage, it was 4x4 at its smallest and was 4x5 after a bedroom jiggle. If you don't have the luxury of space that I had then three boars might not be a good idea for you just now

I say this not because I don't want you to have three boars - when my 2 became three it was amazing to watch the herd dynamic. There relaly was a herd hierarchy happening and they seemed much happier as a trio than a pair! But you do want to have the option of expanding in case they suddenly decide to disagree. For example, if your boss pig needs to go in for an operation and his minions suddenly decide to misbehave in his absence.

 

[gogoguineas]

If you have such a good pair then why risk breaking their bond? Its very unusual to get a trio of boars , at some point nearly all end up in tears. Also, your boys could still have some maturing to do as the hormonal period lasts up to 15 months, it can be sporadic on the whole time, each pig is different. I would strongly advise against it and enjoy the two you have

 

[iamsnape]

If you have such a good pair then why risk breaking their bond? Its very unusual to get a trio of boars , at some point nearly all end up in tears. Also, your boys could still have some maturing to do as the hormonal period lasts up to 15 months, it can be sporadic on the whole time, each pig is different. I would strongly advise against it and enjoy the two you have

There are several reasons why I would like a third pig. It breaks my heart to see them in rescues and now that I have plenty of extra savings for vet bills/expansion/general care and know I could manage a third pig it would be great - assuming it worked out. I wouldn't say getting a third is unusual....it's not unheard of, really. And if I did get another one it wouldn't be while until it was fully talked through and agreed on with my parents, my pigs were past adolescence and settled, and I'd found an older singular boar to be rehomed.

That said, it may not happen for a very long time, but I like to be prepared. The again if that many people advise against it, it may never happen.

(When I say I live with my folks, don't think I'm a kid wanting a pig for the hell of it, I'm nearly 20 lol).

 

[iamsnape]

I would disagree that boars can only be kept in pairs. I had five boars living together at one point and they all got on wonderfully. It is the dynamic of the piggy herd and their personalities that will affect whether they will be able to co-exist together in a large cage and not just the number and the gender. It is easier to have a large group when you avoid the <1 year crazy hormonal teenager stage, though! All of my boars were introduced once they were over a year as by then the boar isn't going nuts with hormones.

Not to "have a go" but 2x3 is what's recommended for one guinea pig on guinea pig cages and a 2x4 for two. You really are looking at wanting a 2x5 minimum for three boars and more if you are planning on having two older boys and then introducing a baby or adolescent boar. Boars seem to go through phases of loving each other and then suddenly decide that their buddy just ate their favourite piece of hay - you want to give them enough room to run around the sort themselves out and less than 2x5 won't give you that. Having 2x5 split over two levels doesn't count you want a nice stretch of floor for them to run on.

My five boars were in a very large cage, it was 4x4 at its smallest and was 4x5 after a bedroom jiggle. If you don't have the luxury of space that I had then three boars might not be a good idea for you just now

I say this not because I don't want you to have three boars - when my 2 became three it was amazing to watch the herd dynamic. There relaly was a herd hierarchy happening and they seemed much happier as a trio than a pair! But you do want to have the option of expanding in case they suddenly decide to disagree. For example, if your boss pig needs to go in for an operation and his minions suddenly decide to misbehave in his absence.

I knew I was gonna have to expand if it happened, I just didn't know what was a realistic amount in regards to how much - somebody told me that a 2x8 was more appropriate and it shouldn't be any smaller but I thought that was a bit big! (Obviously bigger is better but there are recommended guidelines, just wanted to see what the general view was particularly of anyone who has kept a trio of males before). Like I said this might not even happen for a while. Whilst I do have the space at the moment my boyfriend and I agreed that when we move out (about a year away once our degrees are over) we would build a massive new c&c from scratch so that my pigs had extra room and I could possibly have more...so it might not even be until then. Who knows right now :/

 

[iamsnape]

Also, part of the reason I am asking these questions and gathering opinions now is down to the fact a friend - I might as well admit, a breeder/shower - is moving away and has a LOT of pigs that need homes. She adores them and wants to make sure they go to decent, knowledgeable homes, and her boars are very used to being around other male pigs (however I know it also goes in personalities). So naturally if my parents agreed to having a third member join the family, I expanded sufficiently and the piggies got on, I would love to take one in. But, I know that this may not be possible and I am trying to keep what is best for my two current piggies in mind.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

It's fab you want to rehome more piggies - have you thought about having another pair of bonded boys or maybe sows if you can provide more space in the future ? You can add any number to a herd of girls if they get along and even a little neutered boy. Bonding is not for the faint hearted, I've attempted three and one failed which caused a lot of upset and anguish leaving me with a single piggy. She found friends at a rescue when we took her dating and came home with them the following day. It's unfair to expect piggies to hit it off and if things don't go well, what would be your plan ? We have to see the bigger picture and have action plans of what to do with the third piggy or if the existing two break their bond
Only yesterday, we had the rescue introduce our new neutered boar to three of our sows as I didn't feel confident enough to do it myself (all went great luckily) so am not attempting to put off your plan but please do consider rehoming a pair if you have the space you say you will

 

[teadragon]

It's good that you're researching now, it is a big decision to make and Guinea pig slave's opinion that only two boars can co-exist together probably comes from hearing stories about when putting boy with boy has gone very, very wrong. And it can go terribly wrong and you can find yourself needing a 2x6 cage because you have two pigs that can't share the same living space!

Remember it's the ground space that you are after (in case a breeder boy tugs your heart strings) and it's not that a boar can live with other boars but how he will fit and his personality will interact with your boys. I am use to living with people (family and other flatmates) but with certain people I just do not cohabit comfortably with and I never will. Same with boys; it's not that they CAN cohabit, it's about who the other pigs are (dominant? docile? too lively? too sedate and ploddy).

Good luck for your future plannings

 

[iamsnape]

It's fab you want to rehome more piggies - have you thought about having another pair of bonded boys or maybe sows if you can provide more space in the future ? You can add any number to a herd of girls if they get along and even a little neutered boy. Bonding is not for the faint hearted, I've attempted three and one failed which caused a lot of upset and anguish leaving me with a single piggy. She found friends at a rescue when we took her dating and came home with them the following day. It's unfair to expect piggies to hit it off and if things don't go well, what would be your plan ? We have to see the bigger picture and have action plans of what to do with the third piggy or if the existing two break their bond
Only yesterday, we had the rescue introduce our new neutered boar to three of our sows as I didn't feel confident enough to do it myself (all went great luckily) so am not attempting to put off your plan but please do consider rehoming a pair if you have the space you say you will

If things didn't go well, I have a temporary cage area set up at all times (never know when you're gonna need it, however it's not big enough for more than 2 pigs and like I said, not suitable for a permanent area - in my books, at least) so that I could build them something more appropriate.

If I got a pig sooner rather than later, it would be a third male. However, if it wasn't until we moved out, it would likely be one of the following:
Keep my two boars and adopt three females (of course, separate cages and no access to each other! And possibly separate rooms so that the boys couldn't smell the sows and start bickering).
Three males and two girls (if three boars worked out).
Or 2 and 2
These are just plans I have worked out so I know what sort of thing would work best. I'd also love to adopt pairs/groups of girls in the future there are several groups I've seen in rescues that can't get homes because people are after a singular pig. We've even worked out cage set ups for the future (how we'd like them to look when we have the room anyway) and what we would do in the mean time if we didn't have room (obviously the answer to that is not adopt the pigs).

Dunno, just outlines of plans for the future really

 

[Rodentopia]

I have two sets of 3 boars but they have large cages infact just building them a 2 storey huge hutch each for even more space but they came from the same litter which i think makes a lot of difference when it comes to trios. Personally if i was you i would get a bonded pair of boars and keep them seperate, i think that it would take a lot of time to try and introduce a new piggy to your bonded pair and it might not go right and you could end up with a lone piggy or at worst 3 lone piggies. Thats just my opinion though

 

[iamsnape]

It's good that you're researching now, it is a big decision to make and Guinea pig slave's opinion that only two boars can co-exist together probably comes from hearing stories about when putting boy with boy has gone very, very wrong. And it can go terribly wrong and you can find yourself needing a 2x6 cage because you have two pigs that can't share the same living space!

Remember it's the ground space that you are after (in case a breeder boy tugs your heart strings) and it's not that a boar can live with other boars but how he will fit and his personality will interact with your boys. I am use to living with people (family and other flatmates) but with certain people I just do not cohabit comfortably with and I never will. Same with boys; it's not that they CAN cohabit, it's about who the other pigs are (dominant? docile? too lively? too sedate and ploddy).

Good luck for your future plannings

Thank-you very much I suppose the plus with adopting from rescues or people I know is that they sometimes offer a 'trial period' with plenty of space to see how the piggies get on. If/when I get another pig, whenever that may be in my life, pigtures will follow lol. I just like to be organised and know what will go on and what ALL the plan a/b/c's are

 

[Guinea pig slave]

It's good that you're researching now, it is a big decision to make and Guinea pig slave's opinion that only two boars can co-exist together probably comes from hearing stories about when putting boy with boy has gone very, very wrong. And it can go terribly wrong and you can find yourself needing a 2x6 cage because you have two pigs that can't share the same living space!

Remember it's the ground space that you are after (in case a breeder boy tugs your heart strings) and it's not that a boar can live with other boars but how he will fit and his personality will interact with your boys. I am use to living with people (family and other flatmates) but with certain people I just do not cohabit comfortably with and I never will. Same with boys; it's not that they CAN cohabit, it's about who the other pigs are (dominant? docile? too lively? too sedate and ploddy).

Good luck for your future plannings

Sorry but it's these exact 'stories' of boar trios that would give me the chance to purely advise against it. What about the piggy that is not accepted...yes, my priority is the animal not the quaintness of owning a trio. What does the person then do ? Return him to the rescue/previous owner ? How convenient for them - they are breathing creatures not a toy. I am an experienced, responsible owner of 19 piggies all living in pairs, trios and a herd and would never dream of adding a boar to my pairs of boys, the risk of upsetting an established pair is selfish in my eyes and ask a majority of members or rescue owners their opinions and you'd likely get the same view.

 

[Sodapops]

Getting two boys to live together can be a challenge - when it comes to boars i assume nothing. Just like some think trios dont work while others do, i disagree that waiting till the 'hormonal' stage has passed will make a difference to the bonding outcome. I had a father/son pairing that had lived together since the youngest was 4wks old - 2.5 years later they had a falling out and my eldest one needed on-going treatment for a nasty abscess on his face.

Boar bonding and getting it right isn't about age, it's all about personality and getting the dynamics right, i made the mistake of thinking older boar, younger boar, father/son guaranteed to get a long - no such luck.... On the flip side ive got a pair of boys that just adorn one another and get on fantastically, there is only a week in age difference between the two but their personalities are matched perfectly - one being the more dominant while the other is very submissive and generally not interested in any other pigs - even girls, he's got not interest in them whatsoever and will run away at the smell of them.

I think the trio scenario comes from experience and not say so - ive been a member of this particular forum for a few years now and there have been plenty of failed trio stories - while ive only heard of 1-2 successful ones, but as i recall the space they could offer ensured 100% there would be no fights (i once heard of one person who had 3 boys living in a 12ft x 10ft room).

I personally wouldn't risk adding a third to an already happy pair - if you have the funds/space etc why not go for another pair of boys? C&C cages are very adaptable - you can build upwards and give them ample space - obviously you would need to look at your current cage size and expand that first (as it is too small long terms for a pair of boys), but it's very doable and you would be giving a home to two more piggies instead of just the one!

 

[iamsnape]

Sorry but it's these exact 'stories' of boar trios that would give me the chance to purely advise against it. What about the piggy that is not accepted...yes, my priority is the animal not the quaintness of owning a trio. What does the person then do ? Return him to the rescue/previous owner ? How convenient for them - they are breathing creatures not a toy. I am an experienced, responsible owner of 19 piggies all living in pairs, trios and a herd and would never dream of adding a boar to my pairs of boys, the risk of upsetting an established pair is selfish in my eyes and ask a majority of members or rescue owners their opinions and you'd likely get the same view.

I never said I would do that....if that situation arose, I would do the common sense thing, which would be to make other arrangements, such as create a new set up for the 'rejected' boar and try and pair him up with a friend, and do whatever I could by the animals that I had taken in. I see pets like children. When you take them in, you devote yourself to provide the BEST care possible every day as long as you are able to keep them, and if there is even the possibility that you can't, then you need to consider what is best for them and if there is anyone that can provide the care you cannot. I am using the word 'you' figuratively, not literally meaning you lol

Please do not call me selfish when I am researching this and discussing expansion and other needs way in advance...I have also said several times that this may not happen if I get several responses advising against it...but it's not unheard of for more than 2 boars to live together, which is why I am asking for opinions....
Not meaning to sound aggressive or whatever, not sure if I should be taking offense or not..

 

[iamsnape]

I personally wouldn't risk adding a third to an already happy pair - if you have the funds/space etc why not go for another pair of boys? C&C cages are very adaptable - you can build upwards and give them ample space - obviously you would need to look at your current cage size and expand that first (as it is too small long terms for a pair of boys), but it's very doable and you would be giving a home to two more piggies instead of just the one!

Thank-you for your views At the moment with my living arrangements (meaning my parents verdict) I for sure wouldn't be able to take in another two. But like I've said in an above post, if I cannot do this any time soon, which I am now going off of anyone due to some of the responses, I would love to take in another pair of boars (or even girls) when I have moved in with my partner, even a trio of girls, etc, especially as there are groups of bonded pigs in rescues that may not find a home in a hurry purely because they're a group and not on their own.

 

[teadragon]

Sorry but it's these exact 'stories' of boar trios that would give me the chance to purely advise against it. What about the piggy that is not accepted...yes, my priority is the animal not the quaintness of owning a trio. What does the person then do ? Return him to the rescue/previous owner ? How convenient for them - they are breathing creatures not a toy. I am an experienced, responsible owner of 19 piggies all living in pairs, trios and a herd and would never dream of adding a boar to my pairs of boys, the risk of upsetting an established pair is selfish in my eyes and ask a majority of members or rescue owners their opinions and you'd likely get the same view.

I feel like your response is a bit rude, Guinea pig slave, especially if your basing your "No more than two" response on just horror stories (would you prefer the word "accounts", "experience"?) I have seen two sows who did not get on and their fight was pretty horrible and distressing for their owner and the pigs themselves. Like I said; it's the personality of the pigs that determines who will bond or live with who and not just their sex.

I do think guinea pigs in general do very well in a group and I don't see there being anything selfish about wanting to have add more animals to your home if you're prepared to deal with a fallout. The OP did not say anything about returning the new pig to where they got it from if the group didn't work out - I believe she also mentioned that she could end up with two groups of two and other alternatives that she liked the sound of. I'm not sure why you had a little dig at me? The OP about that as neither suggested either.

I was agreeing with you and trying to draw the topic starters attention to the fact that there ARE horror stories because after reading your first response the first time I felt like mine drew the focus from your warning in the post you quoted.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Think you misread my meaning..my opinion and my opinion only is that I have two sets of boys (brothers that came to me at 6 weeks old) who live very well together in large pens and would chop my arms off rather than upset their lives. I personally would not add another boar to either pair regardless of what the situation/circumstances are...believe me, if I could, I would have herds of boars here. Maybe I worded it incorrect and you took it the wrong way but if opportunity arose of homing a single boar, I would have to refuse unless I could pair him with another single and suitable boar in a spacious pen. To do anything other would be selfish of me and unfair on the single piggy so no, I am not referring to yourself if that's how you perceived it.
Girls are great and as I said, you can add others so if you are thinking of having a number of piggies, girls maybe your best bet albeit saying that, I had a failed bonding with a girl so preparation and forward planning is required. I would never have rehomed the sow in question if I couldn't have built another pen and paired her with another sow/s - that would not have been responsible of me. Plan A failed - her living within the herd...Plan B worked - sow dated her and she lives with the two little friends she chose in rescue. It really is all about how much space you have and being realistic.
Just to add, I keep all of my piggies in our lounge on varying levels and have never had an issue with them being in the same proximity as long as caution is taken.
I wish you luck in whatever decision you make.

 

[teadragon]

I did not pick up that you had been speaking about a situation you had experienced personally and had thought you were calling me or the OP selfish for wanting more pets. Thank you for explaining further. I agree with you completely. It is selfish to add a new pig without knowing what will happen if it all goes wrong.

 

[iamsnape]

Think you misread my meaning..my opinion and my opinion only is that I have two sets of boys (brothers that came to me at 6 weeks old) who live very well together in large pens and would chop my arms off rather than upset their lives. I personally would not add another boar to either pair regardless of what the situation/circumstances are...believe me, if I could, I would have herds of boars here. Maybe I worded it incorrect and you took it the wrong way but if opportunity arose of homing a single boar, I would have to refuse unless I could pair him with another single and suitable boar in a spacious pen. To do anything other would be selfish of me and unfair on the single piggy so no, I am not referring to yourself if that's how you perceived it.
Girls are great and as I said, you can add others so if you are thinking of having a number of piggies, girls maybe your best bet albeit saying that, I had a failed bonding with a girl so preparation and forward planning is required. I would never have rehomed the sow in question if I couldn't have built another pen and paired her with another sow/s - that would not have been responsible of me. Plan A failed - her living within the herd...Plan B worked - sow dated her and she lives with the two little friends she chose in rescue. It really is all about how much space you have and being realistic.
Just to add, I keep all of my piggies in our lounge on varying levels and have never had an issue with them being in the same proximity as long as caution is taken.
I wish you luck in whatever decision you make.

Ahh okay, I see what you meant now, I thought you meant I was selfish lol but I see what you were getting at. At least I've got my plan b/c/etc lined up. To be honest at this rate I can see me just planning it out massively and getting more pigs when my partner and our get our place to rent, which will be when we finish our courses, so next summer/sometime next year, hopefully. Better to know what I'm doing in advance though. I would love a third pig to add to my pair now but if it isn't a great idea then at least I could just crack straight on with building new cages rather than have to run it past anyone.....(the other half doesn't count...at least it's warm under my thumb! Hahaha).

Do you have 2 sets of boys did you say, or girls as well?

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I feel like your response is a bit rude, Guinea pig slave, especially if your basing your "No more than two" response on just horror stories (would you prefer the word "accounts", "experience"?) I have seen two sows who did not get on and their fight was pretty horrible and distressing for their owner and the pigs themselves. Like I said; it's the personality of the pigs that determines who will bond or live with who and not just their sex.

I do think guinea pigs in general do very well in a group and I don't see there being anything selfish about wanting to have add more animals to your home if you're prepared to deal with a fallout. The OP did not say anything about returning the new pig to where they got it from if the group didn't work out - I believe she also mentioned that she could end up with two groups of two and other alternatives that she liked the sound of. I'm not sure why you had a little dig at me? The OP about that as neither suggested either.

I was agreeing with you and trying to draw the topic starters attention to the fact that there ARE horror stories because after reading your first response the first time I felt like mine drew the focus from your warning in the post you quoted.

:{ My point is you take on a new piggy...bonding fails so then what ? Rescues ask you to return piggies to them...stressful to person and piggy ? I have split two sows up myself locked in a full blown battle so yes, I do totally understand the horrors and upset it causes. My herd took days to settle down, the top girl was attacking each and every other girl and I vowed never again as it could have resulted in having to split them all into single piggies so I am purely as a responsible owner, trying to discourage the OP from thinking three boars will live harmoniously.

I'll move on now as you obviously agree that three boars together may work and would encourage it.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Thanks - feel better now you get what I meant
Ooh rolleyes...I have two pairs of brothers, three girls, a herd of six girls, a neutered boy and his little wifepig and finally, a trio of girls who finally found their little male friend. Was sooo nervous about him arriving here yesterday but everything went really well and they're all loved up |)

 

[iamsnape]

Thanks - feel better now you get what I meant
Ooh rolleyes...I have two pairs of brothers, three girls, a herd of six girls, a neutered boy and his little wifepig and finally, a trio of girls who finally found their little male friend. Was sooo nervous about him arriving here yesterday but everything went really well and they're all loved up |)

Ohh, I'm jealous lol just out of curiosity, do you have boys and girls housed in the same room (uneutered/spayed) and if so does the smell of girls make the boy pigs go nuts?).
Really glad the intros with your new boar went well! Everyone getting new pigs makes me so jealous haha oh well, soon - even if soon does mean waiting until I get my own place!

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Yep, they're all in the lounge - we actually live with them
The distance between the pens is the key really and I always see to the boys before touching the girls and they are still totally oblivious to the girls being there after almost three years. Four of the six boars are neutered, two remain intact.
If you do have girls, my advice would be to have them beneath any boars or have a large a gap as possible as this reduces the risk of smells and any poops dropping into a male pen rolleyes
It can be done but as I've said, your numbers can expand rapidly with girls as I discovered |)
The wait will be so worth it - you sound very sensible and caring, planning and prepping is great but actually having the little fur babies take over your home is amazing

 

[iamsnape]

Yep, they're all in the lounge - we actually live with them
The distance between the pens is the key really and I always see to the boys before touching the girls and they are still totally oblivious to the girls being there after almost three years. Four of the six boars are neutered, two remain intact.
If you do have girls, my advice would be to have them beneath any boars or have a large a gap as possible as this reduces the risk of smells and any poops dropping into a male pen rolleyes
It can be done but as I've said, your numbers can expand rapidly with girls as I discovered |)
The wait will be so worth it - you sound very sensible and caring, planning and prepping is great but actually having the little fur babies take over your home is amazing

Haha part of the reason I can't wait to be able to get girls too - piggy army! I always warn my boyfriend that when the time comes, one day he will just come home from work and one of the bedrooms will just be a giant c&c cage...
Thank-you for the tips on cages, I hadn't actually considered things like that before, especially handling the boys first.

 

[Sodapops]

Ive got 2 single boys (due to them falling out) a bonded pair of boys and a group of 6 (a neutered male and 5 females)

My boys are in cage above the girls for the very reason Guinea Pig Slave mentioned (falling poops/bedding etc).

My boys though have always lived within close proximity to my females - my bonded boys (shadow and elvis) were 4 and 5wks old when i got them - so whether that 'female' smell is something they've always had so it's nothing un-usual i dont know, however we practice very strict hygiene:

- Bedding (we use fleece and vetbed) - this is washed strictly boys fleece and then girls fleece - the two are never washed/dried together - EVER

- I have different coloured litter trays to ensure they never get swapped - my group of 6 have bright pink while the rest of the boys have blue trays

- If we've handled the girls we DO NOT pick up the boys until hands have been washed and clothes have been changed - the last thing you'll want is a horny boar going made for the smell of a sow on your clothes - it's very distressing for the boar concerned and drives them wild.

- We now have colour co-ordinated toys/cosies/beds - if we think something has been mixed up by mistake it gets thrown away - i dont think washing it even on a high temp will make a difference.

keeping sows in the same room/space as bonded boys will mean a very strict regime on your part...

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Ive got 2 single boys (due to them falling out) a bonded pair of boys and a group of 6 (a neutered male and 5 females)

My boys are in cage above the girls for the very reason Guinea Pig Slave mentioned (falling poops/bedding etc).

My boys though have always lived within close proximity to my females - my bonded boys (shadow and elvis) were 4 and 5wks old when i got them - so whether that 'female' smell is something they've always had so it's nothing un-usual i dont know, however we practice very strict hygiene:

- Bedding (we use fleece and vetbed) - this is washed strictly boys fleece and then girls fleece - the two are never washed/dried together - EVER

- I have different coloured litter trays to ensure they never get swapped - my group of 6 have bright pink while the rest of the boys have blue trays

- If we've handled the girls we DO NOT pick up the boys until hands have been washed and clothes have been changed - the last thing you'll want is a horny boar going made for the smell of a sow on your clothes - it's very distressing for the boar concerned and drives them wild.

- We now have colour co-ordinated toys/cosies/beds - if we think something has been mixed up by mistake it gets thrown away - i dont think washing it even on a high temp will make a difference.

keeping sows in the same room/space as bonded boys will mean a very strict regime on your part...

Great advice Joanne - we have the same regime with colours etc. Girls have pastel vet bed colours, fleeces etc. and the boys have bold colours so there's no mistaking and mix ups. Dishes etc. have their names on. Good husbandry techniques I think play a huge part if you have sows/boars and I wear an old denim over shirt until cleaning out is completed...glad it's not just me who does all this