Advice needed on possible rehousing

[bob2sea]

We currently have 4 sows in a double hutch and two boars in a single hutch. Apart from the pain of having two hutches, the boys and girls can smell each other and its causing a few problems at the moment.

[*]IF[/*] we were to get the two boys neutered, what could we be looking at in the way of keeping them altogether?

Could all 6 live in a giant hutch, or would we need to have a two sows and 1 boar in one hutch scenario?

I think the two boars need seperating because, although they don't fight, one is being over dominated and just stays in his tube all day, coming out every now and then to eat before returning. Plus he never talks or makes any noise. Whereas the other is constantly strutting around making a low rumbling sound. The sows, have all started chattering their teeth lately and there is some territory arguing going on.

Also, if we do split, do we keep the two mums together and take the two sisters out, or what?

Its all very confusing I must say, stupid Pets At Home for selling us pregnant Guinea Pigs I think! rolleyes

 

[redd1800]

I believe boars can get along better when housed well away from females - out of smelling and site distance.

Is moving the boys hutch to the other side of the house / garden an option? Might be an easy option to try before going for neuturing, separating, etc.

Even when neutured, boys can still fight and assert dominance over each other, particularly when they know there are females about. They are not like dogs unfortunately, neuturing doesn't remove or lessen that instinct.

 

[skrikopanik]

In the guinea pig herd there's only room for one boar... So yes, you would have to keep two "families". Mixed sex groups are usually the most stable though! About which girl goes where it depends on the pigs. Do they have any particular best friends? Generally pigs don't pay too much attention to blood bands...

 

[bob2sea]

The girls consist of Roni, Roxi, Dobbie & Nessa.

Dobbie and Nessa are sisters, and Roxi is their mum.

Strangely, Dobbie has the bottom of the double hutch to herself because she chases her sister back upstairs if she dares to come down the ramp. If Dobbie goes upstairs though, it is her mum that chases her back DOWN the ramp. So Nessa isn't allowed downstairs, but her mum allows her to remain upstairs.

With that in mind it may need to be Roni and Dobbie in one and keep Nessa and her mum together.

As for moving the boys, we only have a tiny garden so no matter where they go, I'm sure they would still be able to smell the girls.

 

[lauralucy]

how old r the two boys?

 

[bob2sea]

Jack and Gav are both around 7 months old.

We had Jack from newborn but bought Gav to keep him company

 

[Wiebke]

Flintstones is having her two couples living on top of each other and it's going fine, as are Laura-CCC4's different groups - she has got three (from tomorrow four) neutered boars with one or more ladies in one room, as well as a couple of laidback boars in their "penthouse cage".

Considering that your girls are not getting on as a group, splitting up your piggies into two permanent groups makes sense, provided cantankerous Dobbie will accept a boar better than another girl.

Your boys should be at an age now where they can be neutered. However, it really pays to find an experienced vet to minimise the risks during and after the operation.