Can Guinea Pigs Live In A Three

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I would see if your mum is open to reading on the forums. I was all set to go with a breeder that was recommended by a friend (who happens to be a vet, but not piggy savvy) until I started reading up in advance. On the American forum I found first almost every day there were surprise babies after missexing had happened somewhere in the chain. Piggies can make babies surprisingly young so even getting a baby is no guarantee! I then decided to get rescues because I knew they were properly sexed, properly bonded and they had had a full health check.

They are only tiny babies for such a tiny snapshot that the hassle isn't worth it imo with all the risks you take. Mine were a year old, had never been handled until rescue (found in a shed in an overcrowding situation) but are now a lovely pair of characters that are happy to be cuddled.
 
Tigermoth said:
I would see if your mum is open to reading on the forums. I was all set to go with a breeder that was recommended by a friend (who happens to be a vet, but not piggy savvy) until I started reading up in advance. On the American forum I found first almost every day there were surprise babies after missexing had happened somewhere in the chain. Piggies can make babies surprisingly young so even getting a baby is no guarantee! I then decided to get rescues because I knew they were properly sexed, properly bonded and they had had a full health check.

They are only tiny babies for such a tiny snapshot that the hassle isn't worth it imo with all the risks you take. Mine were a year old, had never been handled until rescue (found in a shed in an overcrowding situation) but are now a lovely pair of characters that are happy to be cuddled.
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Will get her to read on the forumx
 
I got my babies from a rescue (they were 8 weeks old) and they were handled daily, given veg every day etc whereas you cannot guarantee that with breeders.

Breeders aren't regulated which means there are no checks to make sure they're being treated correctly. You can't guarantee that they've not been inbreeding either, which could lead to health issues.

I would be very wary about buying from breeders, I've known many in my time and I would never buy from them as they treat them like stock and not beloved animals.

There are also so many poor piggies in rescues looking for their forever home. It is definitely worth asking your mum to look on here with all the threads about care and rehoming. Piggies from a rescue are a real joy, my Cissy and Bella are now a year and a half and they love being cuddles, they just let you pick them up and are such calm, happy pigs. The rescue they came from were excellent, gave me all the correct information and made sure I had everything they needed. Honestly, I would never buy from the pet trade.

Good luck!
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
I got my babies from a rescue (they were 8 weeks old) and they were handled daily, given veg every day etc whereas you cannot guarantee that with breeders.

Breeders aren't regulated which means there are no checks to make sure they're being treated correctly. You can't guarantee that they've not been inbreeding either, which could lead to health issues.

I would be very wary about buying from breeders, I've known many in my time and I would never buy from them as they treat them like stock and not beloved animals.

There are also so many poor piggies in rescues looking for their forever home. It is definitely worth asking your mum to look on here with all the threads about care and rehoming. Piggies from a rescue are a real joy, my Cissy and Bella are now a year and a half and they love being cuddles, they just let you pick them up and are such calm, happy pigs. The rescue they came from were excellent, gave me all the correct information and made sure I had everything they needed. Honestly, I would never buy from the pet trade.

Good luck!
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Thanks how do i use the rescue finder thing cos id like to find some pogs to show her
 
I commented on the other post as well hun haha and said about the locator bar, hope it helps! :)
 
BubblesPiggies said:
Hi me and my two younger siblings are looking to get guinea pigs. Me and my brother will be mainly responsiblefor them but my sister is only 7 so cant be trusted on her own so would need help. Anyway my question is can guinea pigs live in a three because we have the space for a large hutch what size would it have to be
Thanksxxxxxxx
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Hi! Trios are generally the most tricky constellation to get right as they end up with a 2+1 outsider situation of some sort more often than not. Boars are best in personality based bonded pairs. If you want more, you have to go with sows.
If you specifically want a trio, look for a 2 sow and 1 one neutered boar combo. The two sows need to be friends for it to work, but you are generally working with piggy instincts rather than against them.
This guide here discusses all the pros and cons of various constellation in detail: Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?

Ideally you find guinea pigs at a good rescue where you can be guaranteed to adopt only guinea pigs that are guaranteed healthy, not pregnant and suitable (used to handling) for a home with children. We haven't got one that we can recommend warmly in your area, but the RSPCA Macclesfield has made an effort to improve their piggy section.
RSPCA Macclesfield - Rescue Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and others needing Homes

Please be aware that shop piggies have barely had any human contact and can be very nervous and wiggly.

Also be aware that guinea pigs living in a hutch need a place to be out of wind, frost and dampness for the winter and the hutch needs protection during heat waves. Guinea pigs die from heat stroke.
You and your parents can find a lot more information that your need to consider via this link here: New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! Trios are generally the most tricky constellation to get right as they end up with a 2+1 outsider situation of some sort more often than not. Boars are best in personality based bonded pairs. If you want more, you have to go with sows.
If you specifically want a trio, look for a 2 sow and 1 one neutered boar combo. The two sows need to be friends for it to work, but you are generally working with piggy instincts rather than against them.
This guide here discusses all the pros and cons of various constellation in detail: Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?

Ideally you find guinea pigs at a good rescue where you can be guaranteed to adopt only guinea pigs that are guaranteed healthy, not pregnant and suitable (used to handling) for a home with children. We haven't got one that we can recommend warmly in your area, but the RSPCA Macclesfield has made an effort to improve their piggy section.
RSPCA Macclesfield - Rescue Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and others needing Homes

Please be aware that shop piggies have barely had any human contact and can be very nervous and wiggly.

Also be aware that guinea pigs living in a hutch need a place to be out of wind, frost and dampness for the winter and the hutch needs protection during heat waves. Guinea pigs die from heat stroke.
You and your parents can find a lot more information that your need to consider via this link here: New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit
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Thanks for the info the macclesfield shelter is well over an hour away so I'm not sure about my parents wanting to travel that far due to fuel costs ect but it might be an option
 
BubblesPiggies said:
Thanks for the info the macclesfield shelter is well over an hour away so I'm not sure about my parents wanting to travel that far due to fuel costs ect but it might be an option
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It has the advantage that you have the rescue to fall back on if things don't work out and you are guaranteed that you won't end with vet visits etc. first thing, so there is some weighing up to do.
It is certainly worth contacting them and enquiring after any suitable piggies.

A rescue knows their piggies can tell you whether any piggies are suitable for what you are looking for. They are interested in making a success of it; not in selling as many babies as possible without welfare or suitability, and often also without basic biological or behavioural knowledge coming into play.

It is great that you are doing your research first, so you can hopefully avoid the worst of the pitfalls that await the unwary who go and get a trio of cute babies that soon turn into something else... and that soon end up in the growing flood of discarded and no longer wanted pets.

You may also want to read and discuss the parents' guide with them (you can find it in the new owners' link that I have given you in your last post), so you can work out together what happens when interest inevitably weans with your siblings, how any vet cost are handled etc.
It means a lot less stress and rows for all of you if you are aware of the most likely problems that come with piggy ownership in the longer term. Unfortunately, buying or adopting piggies is the cheapest bit (a rescue is by far the best value for money); vet cost are going to be the biggest, so they need to budgeted in right from the start.
 
Wiebke said:
It has the advantage that you have the rescue to fall back on if things don't work out and you are guaranteed that you won't end with vet visits etc. first thing, so there is some weighing up to do.
It is certainly worth contacting them and enquiring after any suitable piggies.

A rescue knows their piggies can tell you whether any piggies are suitable for what you are looking for. They are interested in making a success of it; not in selling as many babies as possible without welfare or suitability, and often also without basic biological or behavioural knowledge coming into play.

It is great that you are doing your research first, so you can hopefully avoid the worst of the pitfalls that await the unwary who go and get a trio of cute babies that soon turn into something else... and that soon end up in the growing flood of discarded and no longer wanted pets.

You may also want to read and discuss the parents' guide with them (you can find it in the new owners' link that I have given you in your last post), so you can work out together what happens when interest inevitably weans with your siblings, how any vet cost are handled etc.
It means a lot less stress and rows for all of you if you are aware of the most likely problems that come with piggy ownership in the longer term. Unfortunately, buying or adopting piggies is the cheapest bit (a rescue is by far the best value for money); vet cost are going to be the biggest, so they need to budgeted in right from the start.
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My parents have said that the vet if needed will be sorted by them like with my hamsters. We have a vet chain that we have been using for 20 years now with my cats and they are an exotic vet too. The cats wont be able to get to the guinea pigs by the way. The responsibility of the pigs will mainly be mine but my two younger siblings can help if they want. This is because my younger siblings have lost intrest in a couple of goldfish before so i ended up loking after them. This is why they are mainly my responsibility because after having 7 hamsters my parents know i can be trusted and because i really want to get some piggies.x
 
BubblesPiggies said:
My parents have said that the vet if needed will be sorted by them like with my hamsters. We have a vet chain that we have been using for 20 years now with my cats and they are an exotic vet too. The cats wont be able to get to the guinea pigs by the way. The responsibility of the pigs will mainly be mine but my two younger siblings can help if they want. This is because my younger siblings have lost intrest in a couple of goldfish before so i ended up loking after them. This is why they are mainly my responsibility because after having 7 hamsters my parents know i can be trusted and because i really want to get some piggies.x
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I am sure that you are going to be a good piggy parent! I ended up looking after the family piggy and later got my own piggy (my sister got its companion). We have both come back to keeping guinea pigs as adults. It can become a lief-long addiction! ;)

It is however part of our duty to ensure the welfare of any piggies passing through our forum as much as possible, so it is important to make sure that potential flash points for conflicts or foreseeable problems are cleared as much as possible before you get any piggies.
We see too many teenagers whose parents are reluctant to see a vet in time, and that is always very distressing for us all. :(
 
Wiebke said:
I am sure that you are going to be a good piggy parent! I ended up looking after the family piggy and later got my own piggy (my sister got its companion). We have both come back to keeping guinea pigs as adults. It can become a lief-long addiction! ;)

It is however part of our duty to ensure the welfare of any piggies passing through our forum as much as possible, so it is important to make sure that potential flash points for conflicts or foreseeable problems are cleared as much as possible before you get any piggies.
We see too many teenagers whose parents are reluctant to see a vet in time, and that is always very distressing for us all. :(
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I dont think my parents would be reluctant to get an appoinment if i mentioned something to them. They both hate to see animals suffering. My mum or i have never been to a shelter before maybe this is why shes reluctant to adoptx
 
BubblesPiggies said:
I dont think my parents would be reluctant to get an appoinment if i mentioned something to them. They both hate to see animals suffering. My mum or i have never been to a shelter before maybe this is why shes reluctant to adoptx
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She may be surprised! All kinds of piggies end up in rescue. Mine are all second, third or even fourth-hand piggies and for the most part adopted (including the piggies in my avatar!)

Your mum can be assured that no good rescue will rehome guinea pigs that need expert handling into new owners' homes. Any guinea pigs in need of permanent medical support or that are too traumatised will stay on at the rescue as permanent residents. ;)
 
Wiebke said:
She may be surprised! All kinds of piggies end up in rescue. Mine are all second, third or even fourth-hand piggies and for the most part adopted (including the piggies in my avatar!)

Your mum can be assured that no good rescue will rehome guinea pigs that need expert handling into new owners' homes. Any guinea pigs in need of permanent medical support or that are too traumatised will stay on at the rescue as permanent residents. ;)
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I think thats whats shes worried about the pihs in the shelters being ill i think now i have lots of facts ect i might be able to turn her aroundx
 
I think rescues, like breeders and pet shops, can be very varied and depending on your area its impossible to say which is the best option. Many guinea pigs get handed to rescues pregnant so I wouldn't rule out being able to take on babies from a rescue at all. Again some rescues are people whose hearts are in the right place but they aren't providing the best care and the pigs can be ill. Good rescues work a lot harder and you should have the assurance that the pigs have been vet checked before they come home
 
BubblesPiggies said:
Hi me and my two younger siblings are looking to get guinea pigs. Me and my brother will be mainly responsiblefor them but my sister is only 7 so cant be trusted on her own so would need help. Anyway my question is can guinea pigs live in a three because we have the space for a large hutch what size would it have to be
Thanksxxxxxxx
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Best to go for girls
 
All my boys (past and present) were unwanted pets. I've never had any problems with them. It will surprise you the kinds of piggies you can get in rescues. They don't stay tiny babies long and they can be very skittish when small. rescues can recommend piggies that are easier to handle for new owners. Also they will be able to match you to a pair or trio of piggies that are already bonded so you won't have to worry about fallouts.

Good luck whatever you and your mum decide.
 
I got these little sweeties from a rescue just over an bours drive away. They were 5 months old when i adopted them.

315lbau.jpg
 
I have to say, if I were to get more pigs, I definitely wouldn't get babies, as cute as they are. They are so fast and so tiny. When I first got Gemma at what-ever age she was when she left the breeder (I know I know) I was 13 and she was too fast and too wild for me to comfortable catch or handle, my Dad had to do all the handling until she was bigger and calmer (relatively) and I now have three who turned out to be tiny adult pigs and after having two monsters when I was younger and I def prefer a bigger pig!
 
Guineapigfeet said:
I have to say, if I were to get more pigs, I definitely wouldn't get babies, as cute as they are. They are so fast and so tiny. When I first got Gemma at what-ever age she was when she left the breeder (I know I know) I was 13 and she was too fast and too wild for me to comfortable catch or handle, my Dad had to do all the handling until she was bigger and calmer (relatively) and I now have three who turned out to be tiny adult pigs and after having two monsters when I was younger and I def prefer a bigger pig!
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Id really like to get babies either from i shelter or somewhere else pet store ect i really like a challenge . If you dont recommend babies what age do you recommend
 
Julie M said:
All my boys (past and present) were unwanted pets. I've never had any problems with them. It will surprise you the kinds of piggies you can get in rescues. They don't stay tiny babies long and they can be very skittish when small. rescues can recommend piggies that are easier to handle for new owners. Also they will be able to match you to a pair or trio of piggies that are already bonded so you won't have to worry about fallouts.

Good luck whatever you and your mum decide.
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Thanks
 
BubblesPiggies said:
Id really like to get babies either from i shelter or somewhere else pet store ect i really like a challenge . If you dont recommend babies what age do you recommend
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I'd rather get adults (one year ish I think) but it's a total personal preference. Babies are adorable and it is lovely to watch them growing up but you don't know their personality either - someone who wanted a 'lap-pig' might be quite frustrated with mine as they really don't enjoy that, but if you don't mind what their personality turns out as then that's a non issue!
 
I totally agree with the age thing, slightly older piggies are much easier to handle than squirmy babies ! They might look cute but they will soon grow up (Look at the size of the 5 month old ones in the earlier pic) Plus a piggy around a year or so would be easier for your mum & younger siblings to handle as well. Tiny piggies can jump out of little arms or off little laps very easily.
 
Guineapigfeet said:
I'd rather get adults (one year ish I think) but it's a total personal preference. Babies are adorable and it is lovely to watch them growing up but you don't know their personality either - someone who wanted a 'lap-pig' might be quite frustrated with mine as they really don't enjoy that, but if you don't mind what their personality turns out as then that's a non issue!
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Poppy'sMum said:
I totally agree with the age thing, slightly older piggies are much easier to handle than squirmy babies ! They might look cute but they will soon grow up (Look at the size of the 5 month old ones in the earlier pic) Plus a piggy around a year or so would be easier for your mum & younger siblings to handle as well. Tiny piggies can jump out of little arms or off little laps very easily.
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Ok thanks for the advicex
 
Oh god yes I was forgetting the baby pig times, so stressful! It was like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.

I was always so worried about handling them because they jumped and I was also worried about squishing them because they were too small!

I must say I prefer my pigs now that they're older :))
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Oh god yes I was forgetting the baby pig times, so stressful! It was like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.

I was always so worried about handling them because they jumped and I was also worried about squishing them because they were too small!

I must say I prefer my pigs now that they're older :))
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Guineapigfeet said:
Perfect description of catching baby pigs!
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Ok thanks
 
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