Bonding Help Please

[chunkbuster23]

Hi i have 1 male peruvian guinea pig about 3 months old. I need to get him some friends young piggies if possible i was going to get a couple more males as i prefer them but after looking in to this I'm worried about if they dont get on as i know this can be a possibility i know females are easier than males to bond is it better to get some females and get him neutered and let them live together. the forum has been very helpfull with lots of information but its always nice to get peoples opinions. I'm in Ashford kent is there anyone local to me on the forum.
Many Thanks

 

[Merrypigs Sanctuary]

Bonding two boars is possible, but depending on the ages of the boars it may or may not be successful! Generally I'd say pair him up with either an elderly boar (who may move your current pig down a peg or two, so if the pig you have now is dominant be very careful with an older pig) or with a very young pig, who won't be seen as a threat. Boars are best off in pairs, as three tends to be a crowd with them! Or as you say you can have your boar neutered and pair him up with a sow (or more than one). You may not find very many vets willing to do this here in the UK, and neutering won't change his behaviour but will prevent accidental babies If you do decide to neuter, make sure you go with a guinea-savvy vet who is confident in what they're doing, especially with anaesthetic. Also, keep your boar separate from sows for at least 5 weeks after neutering to prevent accidental pregnancies with left over/stored sperm.

It's best to maybe take your little guy to a rescue so that you can meet and greet many pigs with him, which ever you decide. Sometimes they'll do playdays and you can continue the bonding at home if things start well, or sometimes they do longer, residential bonding sessions over a few days. Perhaps keep your current and new pig separate at first, but next to each other so they can smell and see each other. Once they are used to each other, introduce them to each other on neutral ground for a few hours of play time, and once you've done this and they're bonding well try keeping them together in a large, spacious cage with plenty of place to hide away from each other!

I hope you find your boar a perfect pal, and that I've helped you out some It might be worth researching some local rescues to you online, or check out Guinea Pig Magazine as they advertise lots of UK rescues

 

[Wiebke]

Hi i have 1 male peruvian guinea pig about 3 months old. I need to get him some friends young piggies if possible i was going to get a couple more males as i prefer them but after looking in to this I'm worried about if they dont get on as i know this can be a possibility i know females are easier than males to bond is it better to get some females and get him neutered and let them live together. the forum has been very helpfull with lots of information but its always nice to get peoples opinions. I'm in Ashford kent is there anyone local to me on the forum.
Many Thanks

If you can get to a good rescue that is offering to bond boars under expert supervision at the rescue, then boar dating is well worth trying. An age difference in boars is actually an advantage with any sub-adult boars, as that means that only of them will go through the big hormones at any time, which adds to the stability of a bond. Rescue dating has the advantage that you only come home if there has been success. The key to any successful boar bond is mutual liking and character compatilibity, or the bond will struggle to make it through the added stress when the testosterone kicks in big time!

Boars can be neutered from 4-6 months old once the testicles have descended. it is crucial that you find either a general vet with lots of experience in guinea pig neutering or an exotics vet with lots of practice in small furries operations, as that is cutting down on the risk of especially post-op complications. You have to factor in another full 6 weeks post-wait until a boar is 100% safe to go with sows. I have the unplanned daughter of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post-op boar (not one of mine) living with me, just to prove that point, but I have yet to hear of a pregnancy after 6 weeks even though it is practised by most good standard rescues in this country.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/

 

[chunkbuster23]

Thank you both for your help i will get another male and keep my fingers crossed they will make friends, and will use your advise about keeping there cages next to each other for a week so they can get used to each other before i can then introduce them face to face.
Many Thanks