3 boars together?

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Hi there, my name's Max and I have just joined the Forum! We recently lost Poppy, :'( hutch pal to Daisy. Daisy, we found out after four years is not a girl but a boy! He was very lonely after Poppy (also a boy but lived as a girl!) died so we went to a Guinea Pig Rescue Centre and they bonded him with two baby boars (not sure if they are from same litter). Anyway they all appear to be getting on okay until now (2 months later) when Daisy has a small bald spot which appears to be mites. My vet says that the mites are probably due to him be stressed about the new boars. She also said that 3 boars shouldn't be kept together and the likelihood is that they will fight quite badly as they get older. There doesn't appear to be any fights at the moment just a bit of dominance and the odd bit of teeth chattering. The babies are now 4 months old and they do try and mount Daisy from time to time but if anything, one of the babies seems to pal up with Daisy rather than the two babies ganging up on him. Vet also suggested castrating the babies! Help - too much information and really don't know what to do?! Taking them all to vets tomorrow for treatment and to discuss further but would like to be armed with information before I go!
 
I've got three pigs - two who have always lived together (Garry and Minty) who are 7 1/2 months old. When they were 5 1/2 months old, they were joined by Benjamin who was 9 weeks old at the time and is now 4 months old.

Recently there has been a shift of dominance from Minty to Benjamin (who is now the biggest pig of the three) and quite a bit of chattering and the odd scuffle. Nothing major as yet though but I will be keeping an eye on them. It's a bit of a blind game to be playing with boars really, as they can be difficult. Castrating them will make no difference what so ever (other than making it possible to pair one up with a girl in future if need be). I'm hoping my lot will settle once they reach maturity - three teenage boys under any roof is difficult!

At the moment, silence has fallen - Ben is at one end of their tube and Minty is at the other - like I say, they have the odd scuffle, but get on OK. It's all down to a piggy's personality really, I don't think there's a right or wrong thing to do.
 
I'm curious to know why the Vet suggested castration 98) As they are all boars then it is obviously not to avoid unwanted pregnancy and castration will not alter the boars personalities or dominance in any way. It is a huge operation for a little piggy and can often end in tragedy so I would avoid it at all costs. I have in the past kept trios of boars (and even four on occasion) - so long as you give them enough space and be ready to separate if World War III looks likely then I'd carry on as you are.

Good luck (think I'd consider finding a different Vet too!) O0
 
Would not suggest castration as it will not altertheir behaviour. Three boars can be difficult we have had two trios one broke down when they were a year old when two ganged up on the other one 9who is now happily paired with a younger boar) and the other was like you a 9month boar with two babies, when the babies huit 6 months they started fighting with the older boar and he had to be removed then the brothers turned on each other, the young ones are living singularly in sight and sound of other guineas waiting til their hrmones calmed down and the older bioy is now castrated and living with his doting wives. In my personal experience odd numbers in piggys especially boys can be difficult. They were in large hutches with multiple bowls water etc and it still did not stop them falling out. I am not saying it can't be done successfully but it depends on the character of the boars.
Good luck O0
 
Ok thanx guys! Will def not be going down the castration route and will just have to keep an eye on things. Wish I'd been told this by the rescue place otherwise I would have only got one boar and not two - hey ho!
 
I currently have 5 boars living together.
Radley 2yrs, Aurelio and LJ nearly 2yrs, Laban nearly 1yr and Adonis who is only temp around 2yrs.
Radley is the orginal member, I introduced Aurelio and LJ when they were weaned of their mam and the same with Laban. Adonis has been visiting my house and I thought the only place I could put him was with the boars.

When introducing them take not of the body language, if they are war dancing, but purring its just a horny noise and the older boar could mount them. If its a war dance but chattering then I would remove Adult boar asap! BUT watch your fingers/hands because the boar could bite you thinking he was being attacked, I have the scar to prove it. I would try and seprate them using a food bowl and letting him chill out before picking him up. I would advice introducing them in a neuteral area with plenty of food!

Emma x
 
Hi Emma

Thanx for that! Don't feel so worried knowing you have 5 boars together! My boys were bonded on neutral terrority and have been happy together so far - it's just that people keep telling me when Minty and Pickle get to adolescence, the hormones will kick in and that's when the trouble will start - I'll just have to wait and see!
 
that is usually what does happen, when males hit teenagers they try to see who will be king pig. would keep close eye on them O0 usually not good idea to have odd number as 2 can gang up one one. sending hugs and cuddles to you and the boys :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: girls send :-* :-* :-* if they start misbehaving zoe and jessie will swim across to the UK and 666) 666) 666) into submission. :laugh:
 
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