Any Issues With Sharing Runs/ Hideys Etc.?

[4pigs&counting]

Possibly a really silly question! My pigs now all live in the same room (albeit in pairs in separate cages) but I only have one outdoor run. Is there any issue with them all having use of it (at different times) and using the same, for example, toys/hideys/tunnels/water bottles etc. To date I have been trying to keep things separate which is complicated and would mean buying duplicates of things in the future (seem to be overrun with stuff already so trying to limit any extras!). They are currently not out on grass (but have picked grass put in the run) - the run is on the patio and I put a large fleece on the ground - currently keep washing fleeces in between! What does everybody else do with different sets of piggies?! Thanks

 

[Swissgreys]

Not a silly question at all.
I have 4 pigs who live in separate pairs, and I do use the same run and hideys for for them, but I think there is some rule about the order they can use them depending on if you have entire males or not.
I think if you have 2 entire males living together they should only use shared items that have no been used by females, or they may fight?
But that could also be total nonsense.
I will tag @Wiebke for you - she knows much more about this sort of thing than me.

 

[Wiebke]

Possibly a really silly question! My pigs now all live in the same room (albeit in pairs in separate cages) but I only have one outdoor run. Is there any issue with them all having use of it (at different times) and using the same, for example, toys/hideys/tunnels/water bottles etc. To date I have been trying to keep things separate which is complicated and would mean buying duplicates of things in the future (seem to be overrun with stuff already so trying to limit any extras!). They are currently not out on grass (but have picked grass put in the run) - the run is on the patio and I put a large fleece on the ground - currently keep washing fleeces in between! What does everybody else do with different sets of piggies?! Thanks

You can time share, but always boars before sows, and ideally you keep them separate because of the pheromones. Never use the same fleece for boars only pairs and sows.

 

[4pigs&counting]

That's really helpful thank you. I have two pairs of boars

 

[Wiebke]

That's really helpful thank you. I have two pairs of boars

Make sure that you have a special fleece for the indoors run for each pair to avoid upsets. Guinea pigs have much finer noses than we and they are also much more territorial. Boars often don't like to have their bedding and furnishings mixed up!