Bonding Guinea Pigs?

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thesmallpetshop

thesmallpetshop

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Hi guys,
I have two young boars (around 4 months old) and I recently adopted another (18 months old) His quarantine is nearly over and I was hoping to introduce them so he isn't a lonely pig. There is quite a big size difference, would this matter? I hoped he could take the little ones under his wing... leg?

I was going to let them meet on mutual territory, have a towel ready in case they fight and get rid of all the scents on the cage, toys ect and switch it up so it is new for all three. I have enough food bowls, water bottles, toys and huts for all three so hopefully they won't need to get as territorial.

Is there any other tricks to ensure the right environment for a successful bonding?

Any help would be much appreciated,

Thanks! :) :)
 
Please see other threads on bonding - even the most experienced on here from rescues cannot very often bond three boars - trios hardly ever work - thatsnot to say it isnt impossible,just very rare thar it works out - am sure others will be on here soon -
 
Thanks! Haven't quite worked out this site yet! haha
And I hope it does work, if not i will find him a friend, as I know pigs are soo much happier with a friend :)
 
I would keep your pair together and find a friend for your new boar. If you try to bond the three of them they may all fall out and that would be so sad. The best place to get a friend for your boar is in a rescue as they will let him find his own friend to reduce the risk of you finding a boar and them not getting along.
 
Thanks! I think I will try to bond them first though and then if it isn't successful, find him a friend because the two bonded at the moment are thick as thieves and do everything together, if they loose each other, they will squeak manically until they find each other, so I don't think there is much danger of them falling out :)
 
Trio's are hard work! Mine have to be monitored almost all the time as they have came into they're teenage stage where they will start fighting but I wouldn't give up on having a trio, they are 3 times the trouble but 3 times the fun! Just be carefull with them and I would give it a try with the older one, there is no 100% garuntee that it wont work or that it will, but i'd give it a try!
 
I wouldn't try it.
As piggyfan has pointed out there is a huge posibility that all 3 fall out.

Your 4 month old boars are just entering their pumped up hormonal stage which will inevitably cause fireworks in the not too distant future.
I bond boars for a rescue and I wouldn't pop another boar in with an already bonded pair especially at the age they are.
Pairs of boars are the ideal combination http://www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/trios.htm
Do some reading up first, then make a dicision, the above link is a good info site for boars.

Firstly do you have masses of cage space for 3 boars, have you the ideal set up?
 
After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to bond my lone boar he now lives in his own C&C cage but right next to a bonded pair of boys in their C&C and he seems totally happy, wheeking & popcorning. He has company and all three of them 'talk' between the bars and quite often they all sleep at the bars together but he has his own space and more importantly for Buzzy....his own food! :)
 
Salt n Peppers mum said:
I wouldn't try it.
As piggyfan has pointed out there is a huge posibility that all 3 fall out.

Your 4 month old boars are just entering their pumped up hormonal stage which will inevitably cause fireworks in the not too distant future.
I bond boars for a rescue and I wouldn't pop another boar in with an already bonded pair especially at the age they are.
Pairs of boars are the ideal combination http://www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/trios.htm
Do some reading up first, then make a dicision, the above link is a good info site for boars.

Firstly do you have masses of cage space for 3 boars, have you the ideal set up?
Click to expand...

The pair are in 2 wayfair cages (60 by 120 cm X2) and the lone boar in in another, I am in the process of building a c and c hay loft, so I think they have plenty of space. Could I put them side by side and wait until they have matured sexually before I introduce them?
I have also done some research into bonding and the best procedures to have in place (getting rid of scent and putting them neutral territory ect.) :)
 
Even if they bond initially, as your younger pigs mature & hit teens this may change... So even if you think it's fine, it may be short lived unfortunately.

Too much competition with 3 boys :/
 
I have recently introduced my two bonded boars to one of my guinea pigs after his bonded partner sadly passed away. Logan (whos is the boar on his own) is much older than the other two and has a very docile personality. The other two have already gone through that awkward teenage stage. So far things are going well. But make sure you have alot of space! Even docile piggies can get irritated at times. I extended my hutch by a large amount before putting them all together.

I know Trios are rare. But if I didn't bother to try then Logan would be on his own. So I'm glad I did it.
 
I have enough space for another cage so could find a friend for the lone boar and introduce them slowly, I don't want one to live alone. :) If I had a baby, would that be an easier pair too bond? (He is 18 months old)
 
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