Adding third guinea pig to bonded pair of sows?

[parkpiggies]

Hi,
I currently have 2 bonded sows that have been together since they were tiny as we got them both when they’d only just been separated from their mum. They are around 7 months old now and i am looking at adding another guinea pig. They are in a 5x2 c&c cage atm but can easily extend. Do trios usually work? And what would be the best addition?Neutered male or female? Any advicr appreciated, thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

This guide can help answer all your questions. Of course whether it will work comes entirely down to the piggies in question and the character compatibilities - taking your piggies dating at a rescue centre is the best way to find another piggy that everybody gets on with to ensure the best bond

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

 

[Merab]

I can highly recommend the guide - it was very useful and helpful.

 

[parkpiggies]

Thanks, I messaged the local rescue and they said I can take my two in to see which guinea pig they get on well with, so hopefully that will work.

 

[Zanzan]

That's great, always lovely when they can choose for themselves.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks, I messaged the local rescue and they said I can take my two in to see which guinea pig they get on well with, so hopefully that will work.

Fab! Let us know how you get on!

 

[parkpiggies]

Dont know if I'm being stupid, but will having a potentially calmer, tamer guinea pig help my girls to trust me more? Ive seen a lot about guinea pigs learning off each other so not sure if this is the same? My two were never handled prior to living with me so are still weary and quite skittish

 

[Piggies&buns]

I have seen some people say that having a more confident piggy added to their group has seemed to make the others more confident. But their character is their character and you can’t change that!
When my boys first came to me they were both shy. Within six weeks one had gained confidence and was taking food from me and no longer running off when I went to them. It has taken the other one almost two years to gain enough confidence to consistently take food from me but he still runs away from me - so having one more confident has not as any effect on the confidence of my other boy!

 

[parkpiggies]

I have seen some people say that having a more confident piggy added to their group has seemed to make the others more confident. But their character is their character and you can’t change that!
When my boys first came to me they were both shy. Within six weeks one had gained confidence and was taking food from me and no longer running off when I went to them. It has taken the other one almost two years to gain enough confidence to consistently take food from me but he still runs away from me - so having one more confident has not as any effect on the confidence of my other boy!

Mine are happy to sit and eat from my hand, they only run away when i come towards their cage if i move quickly or above them. They both sit still on my lap if theyre eating dandelions and one more or less lets me pick her up but the other has none of it. I suppose its just a matter of patience

 

[Piggies&buns]

Mine are happy to sit and eat from my hand, they only run away when i come towards their cage if i move quickly or above them. They both sit still on my lap if theyre eating dandelions and one more or less lets me pick her up but the other has none of it. I suppose its just a matter of patience

That sounds like normal behaviour rather than being untamed or not calm, they will always fear anything above them or sudden movements it’s their natural prey instinct

 

[parkpiggies]

That sounds like normal behaviour rather than being untamed or not calm, they will always fear anything above them or sudden movements it’s their natural prey instinct

They are getting better and considering they wouldnt even come out when i was in the room when i first got them, theyve made lots of progress

 

[Piggiewheekwheek]

That sounds like normal behaviour rather than being untamed or not calm, they will always fear anything above them or sudden movements it’s their natural prey instinct

tell that to my gizmo,he doesn't care about anything,he's not scared of me or anybody he never runs away never flinches he's not even bothered when the dog sticks his head over into their run lol....he even comes over to the dog sometimes and they sniff noses lol...he must be the exception to the rule

 

[parkpiggies]

tell that to my gizmo,he doesn't care about anything,he's not scared of me or anybody he never runs away never flinches he's not even bothered when the dog sticks his head over into their run lol....he even comes over to the dog sometimes and they sniff noses lol...he must be the exception to the rule

I had a guinea pig when i was younger who used to let me and my little sister take her to the ‘salon’. We sat her in a throne and brushed her hair and ‘painted’ her nails (we didnt use actual nail polish dont worry). I like that they all have different characters