3rd sow - yes or no

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faithblake

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hey everyone I'm new to the forum! I've been on here a good few times for advice but never posted anything. I was just after some bonding advice really. I have a bonded pair of sows, one is 3 years old and the other is only 1, which means one will obviously outlive the other. As I am upgrading to a bigger new hutch, I was wondering if it would be better to introduce another female pig the same age as my youngest now as it'll be a completely neutral environment - or wait ? I obviously don't want the 3rd pig to cause any upset between my bonded pair. But Willow (my youngest) does get pushed around a lot by Quinn, I was wondering if the 3rd pig would help take a bit of attention off her all the time or would it make it worse ? Plus I obviously don't want Willow to be on her own too long while I desperately try and find her a new friend when Quinn passes - thank you! x
 
Hi and welcome. It really depends on your current pair. You may find they like the newbie or they may decide they don’t want another piggy to join them. The other trouble with trios is that you can have an outsider.

You say the younger sow is pushed around. What do you mean exactly? What does the older piggy do to her? Introducing another piggy won’t change the dynamic between your current pair.

When all is said and done, it’s down to compatibility. I would contact rescues and see if they can bond your girls with another. If you decide to just get a piggy on spec, you have to have a plan b in case they don’t get on. If you’re to do the bonding yourself, you need to do it in neutral territory. Although the hutch is neutral territory, it’s better to do it in an open space where you can intervene if necessary. You only need a pile of hay in the middle and your piggies. No hides etc. Have a read of the guides I’ve linked below.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
Siikibam said:
Hi and welcome. It really depends on your current pair. You may find they like the newbie or they may decide they don’t want another piggy to join them. The other trouble with trios is that you can have an outsider.

You say the younger sow is pushed around. What do you mean exactly? What does the older piggy do to her? Introducing another piggy won’t change the dynamic between your current pair.

When all is said and done, it’s down to compatibility. I would contact rescues and see if they can bond your girls with another. If you decide to just get a piggy on spec, you have to have a plan b in case they don’t get on. If you’re to do the bonding yourself, you need to do it in neutral territory. Although the hutch is neutral territory, it’s better to do it in an open space where you can intervene if necessary. You only need a pile of hay in the middle and your piggies. No hides etc. Have a read of the guides I’ve linked below.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
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yeah wonderful thank you! I've bonded piggies before, which I usually do in an indoor playpen so it's easier to remove one if things get heated. Quinn doesn't do anything nasty, no blood is drawn or anything like that, because she's older and was there first she's just quite dominant. Always taking the food, nudging her that kind of thing - just normal behaviour really. If I was to introduce a 3rd piggie I would look into locap rescues as they usually do playdates to find the right match. thank you! x
 
Taking food and nudging away is all normal and not ‘bothering’. And as the top pig she has pick of the hides etc. Good luck.
 
Good luck with what you decide! If I had it to do over, Id try to take my pair to the shelter to meet a 3rd pig.

I brought a 3rd pig home for the exact reasons you want to - didn't want my younger pig to end up alone.

My older pig did not accept the new piggie, and luckily I was able to find the new girl a friend quickly. So I have two separate pairs, two huge 3x3 enclosures.

We were really just fostering the new girl to see if she'd work out, but couldn't give her up 💕 I wish I just had one large enclosure with 4 pigs but I'm happy with the two groups now.
 
faithblake said:
hey everyone I'm new to the forum! I've been on here a good few times for advice but never posted anything. I was just after some bonding advice really. I have a bonded pair of sows, one is 3 years old and the other is only 1, which means one will obviously outlive the other. As I am upgrading to a bigger new hutch, I was wondering if it would be better to introduce another female pig the same age as my youngest now as it'll be a completely neutral environment - or wait ? I obviously don't want the 3rd pig to cause any upset between my bonded pair. But Willow (my youngest) does get pushed around a lot by Quinn, I was wondering if the 3rd pig would help take a bit of attention off her all the time or would it make it worse ? Plus I obviously don't want Willow to be on her own too long while I desperately try and find her a new friend when Quinn passes - thank you! x
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Hi!

Have you considered rescue dating with a neutered boar?
Rescue Locator
Rescues, Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs (includes a chapter on rescue dating)

Bondings always very much rely on the personality mix and the developing individual dynamics between the piggies. Trios are the combination most prone to an outsider problem. When they work out, they are brilliant (I have had several but at least as many where either the bonding or the relationship failed) but they do very often fail if there is an underlying rift because the third piggy will not act as glue; not even a neutered boar.

The tricky bit is to get the personality mix just right. If you add a third piggy (whether that is a sow or a neutered boar, which does less impinge on the relationship between the sows) on spec, then you need to have a plan B at the ready. Introducing more piggies because you think that a pair bond is not working out as you'd like will only aggravate the problem but not solve it.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

PS: I currently have got two stable 'husboar' with two sows trios.
 
IMG_0016.webp
I have a bonded sow trio! :)
They are very close to one another and usually sleep as a pack. Mo (black and brown), Stubbins (white and beige), and Vani (the brown and grey piggy). I hope this helps!
 
Siikibam said:
Taking food and nudging away is all normal and not ‘bothering’. And as the top pig she has pick of the hides etc. Good luck.
Click to expand...
thank you!
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Have you considered rescue dating with a neutered boar?
Rescue Locator
Rescues, Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs (includes a chapter on rescue dating)

Bondings always very much rely on the personality mix and the developing individual dynamics between the piggies. Trios are the combination most prone to an outsider problem. When they work out, they are brilliant (I have had several but at least as many where either the bonding or the relationship failed) but they do very often fail if there is an underlying rift because the third piggy will not act as glue; not even a neutered boar.

The tricky bit is to get the personality mix just right. If you add a third piggy (whether that is a sow or a neutered boar, which does less impinge on the relationship between the sows) on spec, then you need to have a plan B at the ready. Introducing more piggies because you think that a pair bond is not working out as you'd like will only aggravate the problem but not solve it.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

PS: I currently have got two stable 'husboar' with two sows trios.
Click to expand...
thank you so much! yeah 100% definitely considering this - finding a neutered boar is so hard these days! I did get one of my previous boys neutered but he passed away a few months later so I'm a little paranoid about getting a boy and then having him neutered myself, but definitely will be looking at local rescues! I have a couple near me I'm planning on contacting :)
 
Scooter Pie said:
Good luck with what you decide! If I had it to do over, Id try to take my pair to the shelter to meet a 3rd pig.

I brought a 3rd pig home for the exact reasons you want to - didn't want my younger pig to end up alone.

My older pig did not accept the new piggie, and luckily I was able to find the new girl a friend quickly. So I have two separate pairs, two huge 3x3 enclosures.

We were really just fostering the new girl to see if she'd work out, but couldn't give her up 💕 I wish I just had one large enclosure with 4 pigs but I'm happy with the two groups now.
Click to expand...
oh bless you! glad to know I'm not the only one in this situation haha - and honestly if I ever fostered I don't think I'd be able to give them up either! thank you for your reply❤️
 
faithblake said:
thank you!

thank you so much! yeah 100% definitely considering this - finding a neutered boar is so hard these days! I did get one of my previous boys neutered but he passed away a few months later so I'm a little paranoid about getting a boy and then having him neutered myself, but definitely will be looking at local rescues! I have a couple near me I'm planning on contacting :)
Click to expand...

Many of the better welfare standard rescues do have neutered boars. The big hurdle is still initial acceptance; especially in middle aged and older sows past their natural pup-bearing life span.
You may find the sow and the mixed pair chapters in this guide link here helpful; they do also in many aspects apply to trios, only that the acceptance hurdle is always that bit higher because there are three and not just two personalities in play: A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
 
Wiebke said:
Many of the better welfare standard rescues do have neutered boars. The big hurdle is still initial acceptance; especially in middle aged and older sows past their natural pup-bearing life span.
You may find the sow and the mixed pair chapters in this guide link here helpful; they do also in many aspects apply to trios, only that the acceptance hurdle is always that bit higher because there are three and not just two personalities in play: A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
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thank you! I'll have a look :)
 
I added a neutered boar to my sow pair. This was done at a rescue and went well. It took a few days for them to settle into their new hierarchy but they are definitely a happy trio.

Of course this is just my experience and I know that this doesn't always work out.
 
YvonneBlue said:
I added a neutered boar to my sow pair. This was done at a rescue and went well. It took a few days for them to settle into their new hierarchy but they are definitely a happy trio.

Of course this is just my experience and I know that this doesn't always work out.
Click to expand...
thank you! yeah of course each situation is different, but it's great yours worked out! :)
 
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