Herd Size

Shadow22

Shadow22

Junior Guinea Pig
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This is probably a dumb question, but does it take a certain number of piggies to make a herd? Also, I want a good size herd but I'm not sure how many I should have. Any suggestions?
 
Maybe.

Money isn't an issue, and I plan on connecting two bookcases together to make a large cage, but I'm not sure how many I want
 
Shadow22 said:
This is probably a dumb question, but does it take a certain number of piggies to make a herd? Also, I want a good size herd but I'm not sure how many I should have. Any suggestions?
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I have 13 piggies but they don't all live in the same areas as not all piggies get along with each other! I have 4 separate groups as that's what they prefer. I have one Husboar with 3 youngsters, a group of 4 older sows who have always lived together at least for the last 4 years, another Husboar with his 2 sows and then 2 older choc agoutis who were fine with one of the Husboars but found it hard to put up with the young ones so went back to just being two sisters in their own enclosure. I know a few of the Forum members have been successful with integrating large numbers but it depends how each individual piggy settles with another one or is accepted into an existing group! Obviously, the Husboars are neutered!
You didn't say whether you have experience with guinea pigs or not?
Lots of good info to be found here under Guinea Pig Guides - these can help you gain the knowledge needed.
 
I've had 5 piggies: 2 have passed away but I have 3 currently. I also took care of two at a petting zoo, and I'm working to get them out of that petting zoo because they are abused.
 
One was sick and couldn't recover, the other got water in his lungs. They where both older thankfully, so they still lived a full life.

I want a herd mainly because I love piggies. I think it would be fun.
 
I have 13 pigs in various groups - 1 x 3 males, 2 x 2 males, 1 x 2 females plus 4 x single piggies (who are a 'group' of their own, but need their own space). They are a herd of sorts, but are known here as 'The Mob' :))

Money and space aren't issues for me either - but I find that time is a huge issue. Usually it's fine as I'm in a good routine - but recently I had two very sick pigs at the one time AND my dad was in hospital, and on top of working full-time it was nearly too much. And you've got to think of the work of moving a big herd if needed (e.g. moving house was an EPIC undertaking for us last year). And how to handle the fall-outs if certain herd-members don't get along (e.g. do you have the space for a second or third group?). And how to coordinate outdoor grazing time. And what to do if you can't care for the pigs (e.g. holidays, sickness, etc.). And what to do if money does become a problem...

Not to talk you out of it, just some things to think about :nod:
 
piglette said:
Not to talk you out of it, just some things to think about :nod:
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That's true @piglette.

I have 5 and that is enough for me. I phone the vets so often the Receptionists all know my voice and just automatically ask "Which guinea pig is it this time?"! The time factor is the big thing as you said. I'd love more but couldn't give them the time they need nor could I afford the vets bills. Mine all live as a herd together in the hutch and in the summer I have a strict 'boys out one day, girls out the next' for grass time in the run otherwise I have to reseed in that particular patch of lawn where the run has been. Holidays aren't a particular problem cos my neighbours (who used to breed piggies and at one time had 27) are more than happy to look after them. Except when they are on holiday at the same time when I have 2 other friends who will look after them for me.
 
I have 3 and will probably add a fourth. I only want one set up and dont want to have too much cleaning out so feel four will be plenty.
 
Katiedid said:
I have 4 (I suspect 4 will be my max ever number) I like to refer to them as a herd but that would infer some kind of coordination and hierarchy. What they are is a bunch of clueless chaotic pugs who compete to see who can do the most stupid thing!
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you just described me and my siblings
 
We have 5, 2 pairs of ladies and a neutered husboar, and I think they are a nice size little herd. They sometimes do their own thing but often they do herd things and co-ordinate activities like destroying a carrot cottage or moving the furniture or eating hay together!
 
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