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stuie

stuie

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello....again...
I have tried searching and there is a lot of info out there...I took on another piggy a week ago which I was told was another boar (same as my current two). I increased cage size, kept separated in same room and had to try and integrate them as one of my piggies was attempting to climb in order to get to new one. They got on okay actually until past few days....constant 'humping' and the two original boars started chattering at each other and separating off (almost fighting over new one). I got my partner to check whilst I held him. Looks suspiciously like he is a she. i need to take to vet to confirm. I have separated them off for now (is this right)? I just have so many questions! I took new one on as the owners were neglecting 'him' and last thing I want to do is keep 'him' separate (I don't have the room for that long term) or take away to rescue unless necessary. What can I do people-is it possible to keep all three together? Will neutering help etc etc....HELP!
 
You're now in a tricky position I'm sorry to say, whether you have a boar or sow. Whilst there are occasions when three boars will happily live together it's the exception, and more often than not there's fall-outs and even fights, even in an expanded cage.
If you have a sow, even if your two boars were neutered they are very unlikely to all three live together in harmony. It's natural behaviour for two (even closely bonded) boars to start fighting over a sow.
I understand long-term two set-ups is not an option, as you have mentioned. Can you post a photo here to see if our members can help with sexing?
A vet is also likely to be able to help there too.

It already sounds like they are unlikely to live harmoniously together, which ever sex your new one is.

It sounds to me like your only option is to rehome him/her. I'm sorry it's not turning out as hoped. You did do a very kind thing in the first place, and even if he/she cannot stay with you, this piggy now has the chance to find a much better home than the one he just left. :hug:
 
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I am almost certain it's a sow but if I can get a photo i shall try. Looked again this morning and a string of white mucus erm appeared. This help? By the sounds of it, no matter the sex it's not looking like it will work out. Such a shame, fell in love with 'her' and was so glad she was out of a neglecting home. Is it best I wait and see if there are any offspring now or just re home her? I'm so sad!
 
I wish you lived closer. I am in Derby so not a million miles away, but I do not drive. If we were around the corner from each other, if I could confirm that this is a sow (I personally am no good at sexing them) I would offer to see if she would live with my recently bereaved lone sow. I am currently looking for a companion for her. My issue is my Penny-Pops must have a date with her prospective friend as I would have no choice but to reject any sow she doesn't get on with. Harsh as that sounds, like you I have no room for another permanent set-up..

For now you need to treat her as pregnant. But please get the sex confirmed. I'm tagging @Wiebke for advice.
 
Hi Stuie - just picked up on this thread . You have had great advice from Critter.

I'm afraid we're going to have to advise you to listen to your head as well as you heart in future - I know it's not easy - but it's a sad fact that there are more guines pigs in need of loving homes than us guinea pig lovers have room for.

If you already have a bonded pair of boars - you are best sticking to that . Adding a boar or a sow will only upset the dynamics.
 
stuie said:
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I am almost certain it's a sow but if I can get a photo i shall try. Looked again this morning and a string of white mucus erm appeared. This help? By the sounds of it, no matter the sex it's not looking like it will work out. Such a shame, fell in love with 'her' and was so glad she was out of a neglecting home. Is it best I wait and see if there are any offspring now or just re home her? I'm so sad!
Click to expand...

Hi!
Please take a picture if you can. How old is the new piggy supposed to be? If he is 4 months or older, you should be able to see the swelling from the descending testicles on either side of the genitalia.
Here is our best sexing link with lots of pictures of piggies of different ages: Sexing Guinea Pigs: How to Sex a Guinea Pig

Boars do mount a lot when they bond, and it can be incessant; generally any boar bonding is a hump fest.
But you were right to spearate asap if you have any doubts over the gender. There is a goodly number of mis-sexed piggies from private hands around, and you wouldn't be the first with that problem. :(
I am not quite clear; are you trying to bond a third boar to an existing pair or are you trying to pair up a single boar?
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
 
Hi All,

Thanks for the advice and support!
I was trying to introduce an older (by few months) boar (as far as I knew) to two existing boars. New one was at least 6 months. My two are at least 4 months. I can see that they are boars so no issue with them.
 
stuie said:
Hi All,

Thanks for the advice and support!
I was trying to introduce an older (by few months) boar (as far as I knew) to two existing boars. New one was at least 6 months. My two are at least 4 months. I can see that they are boars so no issue with them.
Click to expand...

Good that it is not a girl

I would however strongly advise you to not bond trios of that age right at the beginning and the worst of the teenage hormones. it is most likely going to lead to a fall-out at some point. If you can, please find a new character compatible boarfriend of his own for your new arrival. The white gunk is called "boar glue"; it is an excess of semen from a hormonal boy.

Here is some information on what you are currently dealing with:
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
stuie said:
Oh no sorry I meant that i think new one is a sow now not a boar......the original twosome are definitely boars!
Click to expand...

Good that you separated asap then! There is a chance that your new girl has come into season spontaneously in the presence of boars if she was near it, so I am afraid that you will have to have keep her on a 10 weeks pregnancy watch to see whether something comes of it or not.
You won't be able to see anything until about the last third of a pregnancy, and neither will a vet, so it is unfortunately going to be a long wait. The most important thing you can do during this time is keep your girl on a good general diet, as we recommend, and to not overfeed, so she and any developing babies are as fit and healthy as can be, and you minimise all the risk factors for a birth that are in in control. Switch to the pregnancy diet during the last third if you see signs of pregnancy.
You are welcome to open an ongoing support thread in our pregnancy section at any time; please keep all questions, worries and updates to this one thread, so we can refer back and tailor any advice your specific situation.
We have got a number of detailed guides at the top of the section.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-guide.109375/
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-and-nursing-diet.109377/
 
Hi,
Yup thought so! Thank you, I will look out for signs and have kept her apart in a run I have thats just as big as the c and c cage. I will post on the thread if I have pregnancy questions! Jeeze, do a good deed and it all ends in mayhem!
 
stuie said:
Hi,
Yup thought so! Thank you, I will look out for signs and have kept her apart in a run I have thats just as big as the c and c cage. I will post on the thread if I have pregnancy questions! Jeeze, do a good deed and it all ends in mayhem!
Click to expand...

It is a hard lesson to learn to always double check the gender of any piggy you take in informally, as it can be a very steep learning curve. It is one of the major reasons why we direct our members to a good rescue whenever possible. :(

Wishing your little girl all the best! You may want to consider contact the RSPCA Walsall for a companion for her, as she should not stay within sight of your two boys and is bound to feel lonely. They currently have got a number of freshly neutered boars and one single sow available or available for adoption soon. I am going to take my Tegan there for dating for a new companion myself. Walsall Branch - Home - rspca.org.uk
 
:hug:You did do a good thing by taking her, don't be hard on yourself. But yes, it's left you with problems!
It is worth checking out the vets on the vet locator on the forum (at the top - green bar) just in case she has any pregnancy complications. Hopefully not, but always best to have a plan in place should this happen. She was not kept in great condition before coming to you, hopefully following the pregnancy advice will help her body to reach prime condition for birthing but it's good to have vets on stand-by if she's struggling at any stage.
With a bit of luck though she won't be pregnant!
It may also be worth just contacting the Walsall RSPCA in any case as a pre-warning that you may need to rehome her or her and babies if you cannot keep them yourself, and they may be able to offer advice on this process, even if they cannot take her/them themselves. x
 
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