Hi I have a question

A

Annie's piggies

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I have a 5 time 2 c and c cage I already I have two piggies but I wonder if I could get another one to put with my two that I already have .
Will there be enough space, I have extra grids so I can make it a 6 times 2 if 5 times 2 is two small.
Also if there is enough room for another should I get a male or a female the two piggies I already have are both sows is adding another sow better or getting a male better and what difference would it make.




Thank you to the people who reply xx❤️☺️
 
Trios can be a problem in that one can be left out and feel like a third wheel. So perhaps a boar. But remember it’s about character compatibility and not what piggy you choose. The beat thing would be to register your interest with a rescue and wait for lockdown to end. One where they can do dating is best as the girls pick their own friend out.

Three would need a 2x6 as minimum.
 
Are you in the UK? The RSPCA always have neutered boars. I introduced an RSPCA boar to my two girls and now they are a very happy trio (in a 2 x 6). But all three of them have very laid back characters and Merry is a very polite gentleman with the girls - if you had someone more feisty you could have problems
 
Actually I think it’s (some) RSPCAs that are still carrying out adoptions.
 
Yes I think I read they were doing adoptions again because they were getting overloaded
 
Annie's piggies said:
I have a 5 time 2 c and c cage I already I have two piggies but I wonder if I could get another one to put with my two that I already have .
Will there be enough space, I have extra grids so I can make it a 6 times 2 if 5 times 2 is two small.
Also if there is enough room for another should I get a male or a female the two piggies I already have are both sows is adding another sow better or getting a male better and what difference would it make.




Thank you to the people who reply xx❤☺
Click to expand...

Hi!

With two sows who get on well, the best thing is to rescue date your girls under expert supervision for a neutered boar of any age, so they can decide whether they want to live with another piggy or not and can have a say in who they get on with.
While a boar will be part of a group hierarchy, he is not part of the sow hierarchy. This means he is not directly interfering with the existing sow bond and is a kind of natural outsider.

When cross gender bonding, you have to be aware that the big hurdle is acceptance and sorting out the leadership in the first few days. Age comes a long way behind mutual liking and character compatibility in any piggy bond. Once sows have made up their mind that they don't like somepig, then they are not going to change their mind. In guinea pig society, it is the sows who choose the boar they want to associate with and not the other way round!

Trios are the combination that is most prone to outsider problems. A neutered boar can't heal a rift between your sows; he will sooner or later associate with one of them.

Here is more detailed information on what is more likely to work out and what not: Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

Our vetted and recommended good welfare standard rescues in several countries most of which offer piggy dating (or will do so again once it is safe to do so). However, it is worth any wait as you can neatly avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary and have the rescue to fall back on if you are in serious trouble.
Rescue Locator

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
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