3 boys
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Merab
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Welcome to the forum.
I take it that you mean you have 3 boars?
This is highly unlike to work out, sorry to say.
Boars are best in pairs or 1 boar with sows.
If your 2 youngsters were already bonded they can live together but you may need to consider a companion for your older boy.
There are other forum members with much more experience with boars who can give you good advice.
it would be lovely to see pictures of them
I take it that you mean you have 3 boars?
This is highly unlike to work out, sorry to say.
Boars are best in pairs or 1 boar with sows.
If your 2 youngsters were already bonded they can live together but you may need to consider a companion for your older boy.
There are other forum members with much more experience with boars who can give you good advice.
it would be lovely to see pictures of them
As mentioned on your post regarding apple branches, the chances of your boys making it through to adulthood as a trio is very low. The failure rate of trios is around 90%.
You mention in your other thread that you have the space and ability to separate them if needs be. The guides below should help you with the behaviours you need to keep an eye on.
Neutering them does not make any difference to their behaviour. It only stops their reproductive abiLity so the fact the youngest two are neutered will not make your odds of them making together it any better at all.
Making a larger cage - if they decide they don’t want to be together, then no amount of space is going to make any difference to that.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
You mention in your other thread that you have the space and ability to separate them if needs be. The guides below should help you with the behaviours you need to keep an eye on.
Neutering them does not make any difference to their behaviour. It only stops their reproductive abiLity so the fact the youngest two are neutered will not make your odds of them making together it any better at all.
Making a larger cage - if they decide they don’t want to be together, then no amount of space is going to make any difference to that.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Alright thanks so much! For now it’s ok but if anything seems up we can separate them. Also I live with my mother who was a vet so that should be fine (:
What are the measurements of their cage? Two boys need a cage of approx 5ft x 2ft (bigger is always better). Three would need a lot more than that if they are to stand any chance (but character and how dominant they are going to be will be the deciding factor rather than cage size). Unfortunately, multiple levels don’t count towards the cage size.
I’m not sure what the measurements are but they are definitely smaller than that. It’s a pretty standard pet shop cage but I added another layer out of some wood I had left over
As I say unfortunately the multiple layers don’t count. Guinea pigs are ground roaming and would rather have their space on one level for optimum running and roaming space. As I say, character is the determining factor in all relationships but with boars space is also very important and lack of it leads to a lot of problems. if you can look to increase the size on one level, then that will help them be able to get away from each other until such time as any issues with attempting a trio occur.
My own two boars had a 5ft x 2ft cage originally. When in their teenage months, their hormonal bickering increased. I increased their cage size by a couple of feet and things instantly improved. They have now taken over and have full run of their shed(8ftx6ft).
Commercial cages and fine to use but often they aren’t big enough. Our cage size guide is below
Cage Size Guide
Do bear in mind that if problems do occur, then you will end up potentially with three single piggies, all needing a new friend to live with. You may get lucky with a trio, but it’s always wise to think ahead given the odds aren’t great for trios.
If needs be I can always get some sows to go with them. Also my guinea pigs door is open all day so they can hop on and out to free roam my bedroom. Also do you have any idea how to potty train guinea pigs because they have stained my wooden floor.
If needs be I can always get some sows to go with them. Also my guinea pigs door is open all day so they can hop on and out to free roam my bedroom. Also do you have any idea how to potty train guinea pigs because they have stained my wooden floor.
That’s good.
They can’t be trained I’m afraid. They may have a favourite few spots to go. Often they will go to the toilet where they eat so putting a tray under a hay rack can help with catching urine but ultimately they will go wherever they want and will poop everywhere.
Thanks so much.
Reenie
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Three boars, as everyone has said, is highly unlikely to work, but guess what? I've got 3 boars, so the 90%failure rate means a 10%success rate.
To give them the best chance give them as much space as possible, lots of places to get away from each other, nowhere they can be trapped by another piggy, and two or three feeding and drinking areas, so they all get their chance to eat and drink.
Ultimately it will be down to personalities, but even if they are compatible, the other things need to be in place, as a lack of them will leave 'conflict zones' which could cause problems.
I wish you luck. X
To give them the best chance give them as much space as possible, lots of places to get away from each other, nowhere they can be trapped by another piggy, and two or three feeding and drinking areas, so they all get their chance to eat and drink.
Ultimately it will be down to personalities, but even if they are compatible, the other things need to be in place, as a lack of them will leave 'conflict zones' which could cause problems.
I wish you luck. X
Thank you, I have 2 hay racks as well as 2 piles of hay since I’m unsure if they can get enough out of my hayracks and they have 2 water bowls and 2 water bottles. They have 3 layers and plenty of hidey holes. (:
Reenie
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Mine have a 6x5 C&C, with a 1x3 loft. This gives them about 32 square feet, not counting the loft. They still have their moments, and I've had to split the cage for an hour or two when testosterone levels are running high, so even if you do get lucky, be prepared for a bumpy ride.
I have the space and recourses to separate them if needed so I think it’ll be okMine have a 6x5 C&C, with a 1x3 loft. This gives them about 32 square feet, not counting the loft. They still have their moments, and I've had to split the cage for an hour or two when testosterone levels are running high, so even if you do get lucky, be prepared for a bumpy ride.
Reenie
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I just picked up on something from your original post which might actually help with the 3 boys together. You said the 4 month old ones are neutered? In the UK boars aren't neutered until they are about 6 months, so I'm thinking you live somewhere else.
Very early neutering does seem to kind of de-sex them, and they don't have the usual hormone spikes. I'm by no means an expert or even knowledgeable about this, so I'm going to tag in @Swissgreys and @Wiebke who may know a bit more.
Very early neutering does seem to kind of de-sex them, and they don't have the usual hormone spikes. I'm by no means an expert or even knowledgeable about this, so I'm going to tag in @Swissgreys and @Wiebke who may know a bit more.
We got them neutered at 3 months. We went to a vet who specializes in guinea pigs though.
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
Do you mean a sow each?If needs be I can always get some sows to go with them. Also my guinea pigs door is open all day so they can hop on and out to free roam my bedroom. Also do you have any idea how to potty train guinea pigs because they have stained my wooden floor.
I would recommend you expand their space now, rather than wait for the hormones to hit. I don’t think that the bottom space is enough for even two piggies, let alone three boars. Also add another hay pile, four plus hides and three bottles and bowls.
I’d also cover your floor with something so their wee is absorbed. You could put down Lino or a shower curtain and cover with puppy pads then fleece on top. They generally go under cover or where they eat, but can go anywhere and everywhere.
I didn’t know they can be neutered before the testicles have descended.
The babies were neglected so they’re to timid to come out of the cage any way. Maybe if they get a bit tamer I’ll think about turning my small spare room into one big piggies cage. Would it be possible to have 3 neutered boars and 3 sows together in one big cage?
No you can’t. You can only keep one boar to any number of sows. Any more than one boar amongst sows and the boars will fight over them
To add, you can’t add sows into a boars only room at all, not even in a separate cage. The smell of sows, when boars aren’t used to them, will cause fights.
Hi and welcome!
It is great that you have obviously thought about potential problems; unfortunately there are still some hurdles for you.
Boar neutering does not affect their behaviour or social interaction in any way. It does also not cut off their hormone output; any neutered boar can stink up a room in a matter of minutes with his testosterone laden pee, as I know from my own experience. All it does is to take away the ability to procreate after a 6 weeks post-op wait for any semen in the tubes to die off safely.
You still have a boar trio with two of them having to navigate the sudden and intense teenage hormone spikes. If you have more than one dominant boar in the mix, then clashes are inevitable as neutering doesn't affect the personality in any way.
The first chapter in our neutering guide deals with common myths and misconceptions around neutering (including those from vets not familiar with guinea pigs): Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
More about boar behaviour and the different ages, cage changes and boar/sow rules in our comprehensive boar guide and in the teenage guide.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Unfortunately your cage doesn't have the necessary ground space for a successful trio. Guinea pigs are a ground roaming species, so they really need plenty of space to get away from each other; this is most essential for teenage boars. The single most common causes for fights and fall-outs are lack of space (so the loser has no chance to just move away to another place) and not being matched for character compatibility.
Have you ever heard of pet shop customers spending hours watching which two boars are hanging out with each other most and have therefore a much better chance of staying together? Sadly, piggies are generally bought for looks and not for character compability.
Please read our comprehensive boar guide first when making any changes to their living space. It is a very sensitive area with boars of all ages, but never more so than with teenagers. The guide contains tips on how you can work around this problem without upsetting the apple cart.
The good news is that your chances of at least ending up with one working pair out of the three are actually fairly high. In boar trios about 10% are compatible as a trio (all laid back) and about 10% end up as three singles (three dominant boars). The rest is somewhere in the middle - the older boars get and the lower their testosterone output, the easier to bond they actually are. Pensioner trios and quartets can work very well, for instance!
Your second advantage is that two of your boys are already neutered so when problems occur you can remove the boar that is the problem (either by picking fights or by being bullied by the other two) and find him a suitable wife or another boar mate; ideally by rescue dating at a good standard rescue to ensure acceptance and avoid unplanned pregnancies from buying an encumbered sow. I would not separate asap but rather wait and see which two of your boys are most compatible so you can make the best of what you have now.
Oh dear. Did they fall out as predicted?
I’m assuming the solo boar has been neutered? The countdown will be worth the wait.
nope they were fine i just fancied more piggies!
and yes he’s been neutered