Hi, I’m a new member. I kept guinea pigs as a child without any problems that I can remember! I intended to get 2, but I now have 3 boars, 6 month old triplets, who have recently started chasing each other. They have become quite jumpy and one in particular looks unhappy. Having read on your forum that 90% of male triplet groups cannot stay together, I’m seeking advice as I really don’t want to split them up unless I have to (obviously I don’t want any of them to be injured). They have a 3x2’ outdoor cage and spend each day in a 4x4’ run in the garden. They have tunnels and boxes to hide in and plenty of food, fresh and pellets as well as hay. TIA
3 young boars
- Thread starter Barnaby
- Start date
Sadly as you have found, boar trios generally don’t work out long term. It’s incredibly difficult to get the character compatibility right and most boar trios fail.
While some chasing is normal in a bond, due to the issues boar trios face this can very quickly turn into full on fights. Sadly such a fight warrants immediate and permanent separation and if that were to occur, depending on who was fighting, it’s possible they could all end refusing to live together and you’ve then got three single piggies. Best case scenario is two of them dont fight with each other and can remain together post fight and then one will be single.
They are now right at the thick of the hormones and this is when problems start to come to light. As you are noticing one seems unhappy, now is sadly the time to split them up before things take a more serious turn, and the one unhappy piggy becomes further withdrawn. If you have two of them who do get on well, then keep them together and separate one of them into his own cage side by side with the pair.
The cage sizes you have - is that a 3 foot by 2 foot cage? If so, then then the cage isnt big enough to use at all. The welfare minimum for two sows is 4ft by 2ft but that isnt big enough for boars. The minimum size for two boars is 5x2ft with 6ft x 2ft being the recommended size.
The size increases greatly when attempting a boar trio from 12 sq ft recommended size for two boars to 32 square feet minimum when attempting a boar trio. However, even with the large space, a boar trio is still not likely to make it but giving them as much space as possible allows them to get away from each other and can diffuse tensions a little.
The pair who remain together will need a 6ft by 2ft (180x60cm) cage to themselves. Your 4x4 ft run is a good size for two boars to have as a run space.
The piggy who ends up single will need to be kept side by side with the pair so they can interact through the bars only so stop him from becoming lonely. He will need a minimum of a 4ft by 2ft cage while he is single but ideally he will then be bonded with his own character compatible friend, again in a separate cage measuring 6ft by 2ft cage.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
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Thanks so much for your full reply. I have checked the size of the existing hutch - it’s 4’ x2’ so should be ok for the pig that I remove from the trio (until I can find him a new companion). I will get another bigger one for the pair, and an additional run.
My difficulty will be deciding which pig to extract - the most dominant or the middle rank?
A vet friend suggested castrating one or two of them… ?
My difficulty will be deciding which pig to extract - the most dominant or the middle rank?
A vet friend suggested castrating one or two of them… ?
You need to work out which two get on best and leave them together.
Castrating them isn’t going to make any difference. It doesn’t do the same to guinea pigs as it does to other species behaviours. Neutering piggies only takes away the ability to make babies and with no females around that isn’t a risk. Neutering doesn’t change boar behaviour and won’t make them be able to stay together or like each other.
When it comes to finding a new friend for the single, that is best done via dating at a rescue centre. That way he can choose his own new friend so you can be assured of character compatibility. Bonding teenage boars can be very tricky due to the hormones so if you do have a rescue near you who can help find the right friend for him, then please do so.
Bringing home a new piggy for him from a pet shop means there is a risk they won’t be compatible and won’t be able to bond. Just something to be mindful of, as if this is your only available option, then you would also need to plan for a failure there and then needing another separate cage. If you do have to do this, then ensure you follow the correct bonding procedure.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Rescue Locator
Yes, I'd definitely go through the rescue centres to find a new companion.
I'll be watching the three of them closely over the weekend to decide who gets on best with who, and who needs to move out. Thanks again for your help.
I'll be watching the three of them closely over the weekend to decide who gets on best with who, and who needs to move out. Thanks again for your help.
We can help further if you need support in working out their bonds and which ones can stay together.
Do keep us posted
Do keep us posted
Will do. At the moment I know who is 'lowest rank' (Barnaby); but Nathan, who I thought was top dog, had a little nick in an ear yesterday. I saw Frank hassling Barnaby. I have seen Nathan barbering Frank (who has rather ridiculous long hair for a shorthaired guinea pig!)...
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
What do you mean by hassling? Was he rumbling, chasing and mounting him?
When you separate, will the single boar still be able to interact with the pair? That’s really important until he has his own friend.
When you separate, will the single boar still be able to interact with the pair? That’s really important until he has his own friend.
There’s been some great advice already on this thread but I’m going to add my views in, too. They definitely need to be separated before things get worse, as you may end up with 3 who cannot live with any of each other and have 3 solo piggies. If you do it now you stand a chance of having a functioning pair and a solo. I do wish that pet shops and breeders would stop this irresponsible selling of boar trios. In our rescue it’s one of the most common reasons for surrender.
Once you’ve decided which pair get on best and remove the third, as said, it would be best for the solo pig to be able to see and interact with the other pair through bars until he can have his own companion.
The issue is that finding him a companion is going to be very difficult due to his age. Most rescues (including mine) won’t offer boar bonding to a hormonal teen boar. It is fraught with difficulties and has a high risk of failure, which is unfair on the boar and the owners. Our many years of experience has taught us this. As a result we neuter all solo boars under 18 months and find them sow companions.
Would you consider either neutering the solo and when 6 weeks have elapsed, find him a sow wife? If so, you will need to house the mixed pair separately from the boar pair to prevent the scent of a sow causing the boar pair to fall out. Alternatively would you consider surrendering one to a rescue so he can be neutered and find his own new sow companion?
Once you’ve decided which pair get on best and remove the third, as said, it would be best for the solo pig to be able to see and interact with the other pair through bars until he can have his own companion.
The issue is that finding him a companion is going to be very difficult due to his age. Most rescues (including mine) won’t offer boar bonding to a hormonal teen boar. It is fraught with difficulties and has a high risk of failure, which is unfair on the boar and the owners. Our many years of experience has taught us this. As a result we neuter all solo boars under 18 months and find them sow companions.
Would you consider either neutering the solo and when 6 weeks have elapsed, find him a sow wife? If so, you will need to house the mixed pair separately from the boar pair to prevent the scent of a sow causing the boar pair to fall out. Alternatively would you consider surrendering one to a rescue so he can be neutered and find his own new sow companion?
Thanks for both these replies. Yes, I have all these options in mind. Currently there has just been some chasing and humping, and a little nip on the ear of the one I believe is most dominant. I will be moving him out as soon as I am sure he’s the one.
I like the idea of finding him a female companion, after castration of course.
I only intended to get two, but couldn’t resist the third triplet - I know better now!
I like the idea of finding him a female companion, after castration of course.
I only intended to get two, but couldn’t resist the third triplet - I know better now!
Neutering and finding a sow for him is definitely a good option provided you can keep them away from the boar pair.
They are outside now but are they always to stay outside year round? Winter is harsh for piggies outdoors and lots of care needs to be taken. If the winter is too cold and they need to be moved into a shed/garage or into the house, are you still able to keep both pairs well away from each other ie in separate rooms?
They are outside now but are they always to stay outside year round? Winter is harsh for piggies outdoors and lots of care needs to be taken. If the winter is too cold and they need to be moved into a shed/garage or into the house, are you still able to keep both pairs well away from each other ie in separate rooms?
