Cage size etc..

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PIGGIES FOREVER

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Hello.

I know you can't keep single pigs on their own without company but can you keep a single pig in a 2x3 grids C and C cage min? I would like to know for future reference please.
 
So a 2x4 is the minimum for a pair of piggies, so in theory a single pig could live in a 2x3 but whether they can fit in it and whether it is morally right to do so is another thing.

In my opinion a 2x3 is too small for even a single pig. Even a single pig will still require space to roam around and will be happier with more space given they are already having to go without a friend, then doing anything else feasibly possible to keep them happy such as giving them plenty of room is even more essential.

if I remember rightly, the relationship between your sows went sourwhen you added a neutered boar, but I would do everything possible to get the piggy you are considering as a single to have a friend.
 
Piggies&buns said:
So a 2x4 is the minimum for a pair of piggies, so in theory a single pig could live in a 2x3 but whether they can fit in it and whether it is morally right to do so is another thing.

In my opinion a 2x3 is too small for even a single pig. Even a single pig will still require space to roam around and will be happier with more space given they are already having to go without a friend, then doing anything else feasibly possible to keep them happy such as giving them plenty of room is even more essential.

if I remember rightly, the relationship between your sows went sourwhen you added a neutered boar, but I would do everything possible to get the piggy you are considering as a single to have a friend.
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Hello.

For single pig would you say a 2 by 4 then?

I am trying to figure things out what's best for all pigs. I am thinking on the lines of getting a baby sow for the boar. Because I have managed to get sows back together and hoping that will be o.k for them now, just got to work out what's best for the boar, sows in 2x6 how could I get him next door to them with possible new baby sow I have very limited space, could you please give me some ideas? Thanks.
 
For a single I would say a 2x4, yes. But I would also do everything possible to ensure the single doesn’t stay single.
Looking into getting him a sow is a good idea but do ensure you go about it right the way so that there aren’t problems with character compatibility etc.

While your boar is single he must remain in a cage next door to the sows for company.
Once he is bonded with another piggy, then their cage (which will have to be a 2x4) can go anywhere you have space for it and wouldn’t have to be next door to the sows any more.
 
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Did you consider making two pairs?
Stacked cages are also space saving.
 
Siikibam said:
Did you consider making two pairs?
Stacked cages are also space saving.
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Yes have considered this my only problem is that I can't stack the cage's because of things fixed on the wall, and yes have got pigs in pairs at moment but I am pretty sure that they will go back together to be group of four again, I have division grids in cage so they can all see one another. The thing is I don't know how to go around making the cage big enough if I want to make cage for my boar or the boar with sow as not sure if two guinea pig cage's is right for me as they would have to be in another room. Or do I try a rebond with boar and sows then would have to make cage 2x7 or 2x8 I'm not finding this situation easy. Can you please post some pictures to give me some ideas of what maybe I can do.🙂
 
I really wouldn’t try rebonding the four. For whatever reason the one sow doesn’t like your boar. It’s happened twice so I would just leave it and leave them in pairs. Don’t you think that would be easier than getting another?

For ideas you can browse the cage threads under housing. It depends on your room layout. Consider maybe an L shape. Is there anywhere else you could put the cages?
 
Siikibam said:
I really wouldn’t try rebonding the four. For whatever reason the one sow doesn’t like your boar. It’s happened twice so I would just leave it and leave them in pairs. Don’t you think that would be easier than getting another?

For ideas you can browse the cage threads under housing. It depends on your room layout. Consider maybe an L shape. Is there anywhere else you could put the cages?
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I tried once bonding the boy, the reason I got him was to try to stop the problem sow from troubleing my shy sow , she was losing her fur and had mite problem I thought boar would help but top sow and boar didn't work out she lunged at him I got scared and took her out thinking he would be better with my three sows but after a week he was causing issues with shy sow, she appeared to be stressed out more then when she was with the top sow, so I decided to put boar on his own again and to put top sow with one sow she gets on with and shy sow with the sow she gets on with to give her time to settle down for a bit, then wondering weather to try them again as a group of four again, if this works then I was considering to make cage bigger like 2x7 or 2x8 and then maybe try rebond with boar, maybe it was the size of cage that's caused the problems, as was alright on neutral grounds the problems came when they got put in the cage.

No i haven't got many places to put a cage of such sizes.
 
So you have four sows and not three? If one of the sows didn’t like him I don’t know that I’d bother. The issue is they can’t live on neutral ground all the time. How big was their cage previously? And is it you who tried to reintroduce them and the sow went for him again?
 
Siikibam said:
So you have four sows and not three? If one of the sows didn’t like him I don’t know that I’d bother. The issue is they can’t live on neutral ground all the time. How big was their cage previously? And is it you who tried to reintroduce them and the sow went for him again?
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Yes I have four sows. I agree they can't live on neutral ground. The cage is 2 X 6 grid C and C cage and always has been as I was miss lead by company websites saying this was o.k for five or six guinea pigs, since learning it's not and needs to be bigger. Yes it was me who introduced them, but have only tried once so far, I am wondering if I should try again, was the cage size a problem and would it work better if I expand the cage to a 2 X 7 or 2 X 8?
 
If you’re set on trying again then I just be prepared in case it goes wrong again. I’m not experienced with opposite sex bindings so maybe wait for someone else to answer.
 
Siikibam said:
If you’re set on trying again then I just be prepared in case it goes wrong again. I’m not experienced with opposite sex bindings so maybe wait for someone else to answer.
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Thanks for your help 😊. O.k will wait to see if anyone else can help.
 
Incompatible characters between piggies cause problems. The cage being too small doesn’t help, but if piggies don’t like each other then nothing is going to change that, not even giving them a bigger cage will help. Adding the boar also would not solve any problems between the sows. If they can’t get on, then that is that I’m afraid.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Incompatible characters between piggies cause problems. The cage being too small doesn’t help, but if piggies don’t like each other then nothing is going to change that, not even giving them a bigger cage will help. Adding the boar also would not solve any problems between the sows. If they can’t get on, then that is that I’m afraid.
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Thanks you for your help 😊
 
Hello.

What size c and c cage would I need for a neutered boar and a sow please?
 
Could three sows live in a 2 by 4 c and c cage? And could one neutered boar and two sows live in a 2 by 4 c and c cage?
 
We have answered your questions on cage size many times on your other thread.

No, three piggies cannot live in a 2x4 regardless of whether it’s sows or a sows and a neutered boar - a 2x4 is only big enough for 2 piggies

2x4 - 2 pigs
2x5 - 3 pigs
2x6 - 4 pigs
2x7 - 5 pigs

Cage Size Guide
 
As per your other threads on the subject

2x4 cage is big enough for two pigs
 
As you have a lot of questions about cage sizes it might be useful to bookmark the cage size guide on the forum as this answers all your questions about sizes for different numbers of pigs plus how much additional space for each pig over the amount shown
Cage Size Guide
 
@PIGGIES FOREVER I have merged all your posts into one thread. Please do not keep opening multiple threads on this same issue. Please keep all queries relating to cage size to this one thread.
 
Piggies&buns said:
As per your other threads on the subject

2x4 cage is big enough for two pigs
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The thing is I know boars need more room as people have told me so am double checking what I am planning to do will work without having to extend the cage in the future.

So I could have a neutered boar in with a sow in a 2 X 4 grid C and C cage then?
 
2x4 can house a pair of sows or a sow/boar pair
2x5 can house 3
2x6 can house 4
 
PIGGIES FOREVER said:
The thing is I know boars need more room as people have told me so am double checking what I am planning to do will work without having to extend the cage in the future.

So I could have a neutered boar in with a sow in a 2 X 4 grid C and C cage then?
Click to expand...

It’s only when two boars are together that require more space. A sow/boar pairing follows the cage sizing as @Siikibam has detailed
 
Siikibam said:
2x4 can house a pair of sows or a sow/boar pair
2x5 can house 3
2x6 can house 4
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Thanks so this is o.k. and it doesn't matter what gender you have in the cage as long as it comes to the right amount of pigs in the right cage size am I right?
 
PIGGIES FOREVER said:
Thanks so this is o.k. and it doesn't matter what gender you have in the cage as long as it comes to the right amount of pigs in the right cage size am I right?
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Yes in this case

(As I said, it’s only when you have two boars together that you need a bigger cage than a 2x4).
 
PIGGIES FOREVER said:
Thanks so this is o.k. and it doesn't matter what gender you have in the cage as long as it comes to the right amount of pigs in the right cage size am I right?
Click to expand...

No.
Boars can live in a maximum of a pair together, but they must have enough space.

Sows can live in larger groups with or without a neutered boar but they need an increasing cage/space size the more you want to keep as a herd.
 
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