Can I Introduce A Nuetered Female To My Pair Of Already Bonded Males?

[Guineas3306]

In March,I adopted 2 male already bonded guinea pigs and there has been no fighting.I have a 5 foot by 2 foot double decker hutch and a 6 foot by 4 foot run. Do I have enough space to introduce a nuetered female (or male)? Will they get along?

 

[Veggies Galore]

My advice is don't.

Introducing a female to a bonded male pair is likely to cause problems.

 

[LisaAli]

Hiya,

to the forum...

You can't introduce a sow spayed or otherwise to a pair of bonded boars as this would cause fights and fallouts between them both as they compete for the affections of the sow. It is not recommend to add a another boar to a bonded pair as again the chances of success are very low, you could end up with 3 single boars...

have a look at this sticky .. Boars: A guide to successful companionship.

Lisa & Ali..

 

[Wiebke]

In March,I adopted 2 male already bonded guinea pigs and there has been no fighting.I have a 5 foot by 2 foot double decker hutch and a 6 foot by 4 foot run. Do I have enough space to introduce a nuetered female (or male)? Will they get along?

Hi! In short - please don't! I know that the temptation is very great when you have a pair that is working well, but it is NOT a good idea.

Boars do best in bonded pairs. If you want more guinea pigs, rather opt for another boar pair than risk ending up with a fall-out and fight. Trios are the most difficult constellation to get right without ending up with an outsider problem. At the worst (and it has happened to several forum members) you can end up with 3 boars that don't get on with each other. Introducing another boar can work, but trios fail much more often than they work out, especially the younger boars are. The fail rate between sub-adult boars (below 15 months when the testosterone output is at an all time high) is up to 90%. The older boars get and the more their testosterone fizzles out, the easier it is to bond, especially when they can choose each other, but it still very much depends on the personalities involved. Key to any successful piggy bond is character compatibility and mutual liking, especially with boars.

The rule is one (neutered) boar per group of sows, spayed or not. A spayed sow with multiple boars is usually still going to cause frictions sooner or later even if she is not coming into season. Her pheromones differ from those of the boars - and we humans with our artificially scented environment and bodies tend to massively underestimate just how important pheromones and scent are to guinea pigs!

 

[Guineas3306]

Ok thanks

 

[Freela]

No, unfortunately it will cause problems even if she isn't fertile! The boys can't tell the difference, they just know it's a girl to compete over!