I don’t know what to do

[Piggies&buns]

The boars were left in there for 25minutes I just didn’t watch them for 5 minutes to do something. Do I have to do multiple sessions of bonding?

They like the hay but over a couple hours they will be uninterested. I will start increasing the amount of hay given and I will take pictures tomorrow to see if it’s enough since I’m not really sure what is enough.

Still 25 minutes isn't long enough, its several hours they need to be in the pen. Hopefully they will be ok but they will be in a period for the next two weeks working out their relationship. No, bonding is a one time thing. If they are now together, then they must stay together permanently - do not separate them unless their bond fails.

that is normal. if they become less interested when they have foraged through and picked out all the nice bits, then it can be topped up so they can forage through it again when they want to. Its hard for me to calculate entirely accurately as I have many animals but I use about 2.5kg of hay per week just for my two guinea pigs.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Can I put multiple amounts of hay stations (hay piles) in corners of the kitchen. I only have little tunnels as hides for them at the moment since I bought wooden ones on eBay that are coming, since my daddy pig broke his cardboard one. Can I use a bowl instead of bottle since there is nowhere to hang the bottle.

If the bonding fails I’m planning on neutralising the daddy pig and keeping one of the girls.

I'm talking about hay being in multiple places in their permanent living space, not just while they are in the kitchen - which is where you said you'd done the bonding.

how can you do that? you said the sows are going to their new home after they've been to the vet on Tuesday.
if the bond between the two boars fails it won't be until the baby gets to his teens which won't be until he is four months old so the sows will be long gone by then. a neutered boar still cannot live with a sow for six weeks after neutering anyway.
if the bond fails, then each of the boys will need their own new friend and each pair will need to be kept in entirely separate cages. if you have a pair of boars you cannot have a sow anywhere near them.
if you had one of them neutered and bonded with a sow, then both boys would need to be neutered and bonded with a sow each and each boar/sow pair must be kept in separate cages

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

Is purring an indication of happiness or aggression?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is purring an indication of happiness or aggression?

its a dominance behaviour. its a way of establishing a hierarchy

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

I'm talking about hay being in multiple places in their permanent living space, not just while they are in the kitchen - which is where you said you'd done the bonding.

how can you do that? you said the sows are going to their new home after they've been to the vet on Tuesday.
if the bond between the two boars fails it won't be until the baby gets to his teens which won't be until he is four months old so the sows will be long gone by then. a neutered boar still cannot live with a sow for six weeks after neutering anyway.
if the bond fails, then each of the boys will need their own new friend and each pair will need to be kept in entirely separate cages. if you have a pair of boars you cannot have a sow anywhere near them.
if you had one of them neutered and bonded with a sow, then both boys would need to be neutered and bonded with a sow each and each boar/sow pair must be kept in separate cages

Both boys will be neutered. Hopefully in those 6 weeks I can seperate them without too much drama. I will put piles of hay for the boars around the room and for the sows I’ll change the hay Daily until they go to their new home. The boars don’t have a cage at the moment since the sows are using the cage that use to be in my room for my boys.

 

[Siikibam]

Did you thoroughly clean your room where they’ll be living? Cardboard is a fun hide for them that has multiple purposes. They can hide under it and chew on it.

Be aware that they could tip the bowl of water over. I would find a way to provide bottles. You could build something or use a grid of some sort. But whatever the case, there need to be two of everything - hay stations, water bottles and hides (with two exits).

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

Did you thoroughly clean your room where they’ll be living? Cardboard is a fun hide for them that has multiple purposes. They can hide under it and chew on it.

Be aware that they could tip the bowl of water over. I would find a way to provide bottles. You could build something or use a grid of some sort. But whatever the case, there need to be two of everything - hay stations, water bottles and hides (with two exits).

I made the card board hides out of Amazon boxes. I use to put a bottle in the cage for the boys and bowls outside of the cage. There will be 2-3 hay stations around my room and hay in their cage. I bought a wooden hide with 4 exits. Also do guinea pigs need a cuddle toy or chew toys?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Both boys will be neutered. Hopefully in those 6 weeks I can seperate them without too much drama. I will put piles of hay for the boars around the room and for the sows I’ll change the hay Daily until they go to their new home. The boars don’t have a cage at the moment since the sows are using the cage that use to be in my room for my boys.

that's got nothing to do with the current sows then? you said you'd keep one of the girls if the boys bond fails...

If the bond between the boys fails it will be when the baby is between the ages of 4 and 14 months. If it fails, they need separating immediately. I dont understand why you say hopefully in those six weeks you can separate them without drama. it'll be a full on blood drawing fight if their bond fails so you won't have six weeks to separate them, you will have six seconds at most.

 

[Siikibam]

No they don’t.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

If you’re to house your boys in a cage once the girls are gone, then it must be at least 150x60cm. Or a 2x5 C&C or 12 sq feet.

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

that's got nothing to do with the current sows then? you said you'd keep one of the girls if the boys bond fails...

If the bond between the boys fails it will be when the baby is between the ages of 4 and 14 months. If it fails, they need separating immediately. I dont understand why you say hopefully in those six weeks you can separate them without drama. it'll be a full on blood drawing fight if their bond fails so you won't have six weeks to separate them, you will have six seconds at most.

I will be keeping one of the sows that’s why I’ll be neutralising the boys. I will be separating the boars while they are on their 6 week recovery from the neutralising. Hopefully I can get the sow after they recover.

 

[Siikibam]

I will be keeping one of the sows that’s why I’ll be neutralising the boys. I will be separating the boars while they are on their 6 week recovery from the neutralising. Hopefully I can get the sow after they recover.

Wait, why are you now keeping one sow? Aren’t they both going to your friend to join her herd? I hope this isn’t the friend who breeds them by the way...

You can’t have one sow in with two boars. Only one boar to any number of sows. Leave them be for now (the boars) and only step in if you have to separate. So neutering them isn’t necessary just yet.

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

that's got nothing to do with the current sows then? you said you'd keep one of the girls if the boys bond fails...

If the bond between the boys fails it will be when the baby is between the ages of 4 and 14 months. If it fails, they need separating immediately. I dont understand why you say hopefully in those six weeks you can separate them without drama. it'll be a full on blood drawing fight if their bond fails so you won't have six weeks to separate them, you will have six seconds at most.

I will definitely be immediately separating the boys if I see them fighting. Then I’ll get them neutralised and wait 6 weeks until I can get the sow. Will the sow help with the fighting or not?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Why is the story changing? you said the sows were going to their new home after their vet appointment.

your baby boar cannot be neutered until he is between 4 and 6 months old.
you can only keep one boar with a sow. you must not attempt to put two boys in with a sow as you will cause huge fights.

if you are only keeping one sow, then what are you going to do with the other boar, who is going to be his companion?

You cant keep the sow alone until a boar is post neuter and you cannot keep a sow anywhere near the boys if they are living together as they will fight.

if you try to keep a sow in the same room as two boars you will cause huge fights.

the boars might not fight, they might be fine. why would you then want the sow? having the sow means she needs her own new friend

you are getting yourself in a huge mess here

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

Wait, why are you now keeping one sow? Aren’t they both going to your friend to join her herd? I hope this isn’t the friend who breeds them by the way...

You can’t have one sow in with two boars. Only one boar to any number of sows. Leave them be for now (the boars) and only step in if you have to separate. So neutering them isn’t necessary just yet.

Oh I am not planning on keeping a sow unless the boars fail to bond at 4months. The sows will not the given to the breeder that is terrible! The sows will be given to my other friend who loves piggies and thinks the piggies at the pet store is too expensive haha. She’s had 1 piggie before and she’s very optimistic about having 2 new ones.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Oh I am not planning on keeping a sow unless the boars fail to bond at 4months. The sows will not the given to the breeder that is terrible! The sows will be given to my other friend who loves piggies and thinks the piggies at the pet store is too expensive haha. She’s had 1 piggie before and she’s very optimistic about having 2 new ones.

this makes no sense

their bond might not fail.

you cannot give the sows to your friend and let them have life together and then disrupt the sows bond just to bring one back to your boys when you'll still have one boy without a friend.

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

Why is the story changing? you said the sows were going to their new home after their vet appointment.

your baby boar cannot be neutered until he is between 4 and 6 months old.
you can only keep one boar with a sow. you must not attempt to put two boys in with a sow as you will cause huge fights.

if you are only keeping one sow, then what are you going to do with the other boar, who is going to be his companion?

You cant keep the sow alone until a boar is post neuter and you cannot keep a sow anywhere near the boys if they are living together as they will fight.

if you try to keep a sow in the same room as two boars you will cause huge fights.

the boars might not fight, they might be fine. why would you then want the sow? having the sow means she needs her own new friend

you are getting yourself in a huge mess here

I won’t keep a sow until they fight. I will probably buy a sow when they aren’t getting along. I’m not sure what I’ll do with the other boar yet. Can I raise him by himself. 3 piggies but 2 live together and 1 live by himself.

 

[Siikibam]

Oh I am not planning on keeping a sow unless the boars fail to bond at 4months. The sows will not the given to the breeder that is terrible! The sows will be given to my other friend who loves piggies and thinks the piggies at the pet store is too expensive haha. She’s had 1 piggie before and she’s very optimistic about having 2 new ones.

Is she bonding them with some existing piggies or having just the two? Does she have the funds to care for them - vet fees in particular?

The boys won’t necessarily fall out when the young one reaches his teens. If they do then you will have to pair them both up. Either with a boar or with a sow after they’re 6 weeks post neuter. Either way it would be best in that case to take them dating someone they can choose their own friend. But that is a worst case scenario that isn’t guaranteed to happen.

It wouldn’t be fair to keep one boar by himself. Why would you consider doing that?

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

this makes no sense

their bond might not fail.

you cannot give the sows to your friend and let them have life together and then disrupt the sows bond just to bring one back to your boys when you'll still have one boy without a friend.

I’m not sure what I can do with the other boar. I don’t have any other friends who want guinea pigs. Instead of taking that sow away from the other sow I will buy a pet piggie instead since they are only $90.

 

[Siikibam]

By the way when did you say they were born again?

wow, only $90? Buying could get you in hot water again - pregnant sows or missexed pair that ends up with one pregnant.

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

Is she bonding them with some existing piggies or having just the two? Does she have the funds to care for them - vet fees in particular?

The boys won’t necessarily fall out when the young one reaches his teens. If they do then you will have to pair them both up. Either with a boar or with a sow after they’re 6 weeks post neuter. Either way it would be best in that case to take them dating someone they can choose their own friend. But that is a worst case scenario that isn’t guaranteed to happen.

It wouldn’t be fair to keep one boar by himself. Why would you consider doing that?

My friend lives near the vet and she’s pretty wealthy. She use to have a dog that was always sick then died from causes. I think she’ll be able to take care of the piggies very well.

 

[Siikibam]

Does she have any other guinea pigs?
What day were the piggies born?

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

By the way when did you say they were born again?

wow, only $90? Buying could get you in hot water again - pregnant sows or missexed pair that ends up with one pregnant.

Does she have any other guinea pigs?
What day were the piggies born?

12th or 11th of January. Can’t remember since it was either at night or in the morning. I wasn’t there to witness it. I saw the piggies when I woke up.

No she does not have any other piggies. She doesn’t have any pets at the moment.

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

By the way when did you say they were born again?

wow, only $90? Buying could get you in hot water again - pregnant sows or missexed pair that ends up with one pregnant.

The babies cost $120 but the sow costs $90. Here are some pictures I took at the store a couple days ago.

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

Does she have any other guinea pigs?
What day were the piggies born?

Oh sorry my mistake. The piggies were born on the 13th of January or the 12th depending on the time.

 

[Siikibam]

I want to know what day it was in Australia that they were born. Time difference won't matter. Was it 12th or 13th? You seem to be getting confued with dates and keep back pedalling.

I'm also pretty sure you said that your friend had a herd she wanted to bond your sows with. Yet she now doesn't have any guinea pigs.

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

They were born on the 13th I’m not sure about the time.

 

[Siikibam]

The time doesn't matter, it's the date that counts.
Can I ask why you were at the pet shop taking photos of piggies? You're not planning to get more are you?

 

[Erwin & Baymax]

The time doesn't matter, it's the date that counts.
Can I ask why you were at the pet shop taking photos of piggies? You're not planning to get more are you?

I was buying bug spray for mites, bottles, shampoo and also snacks for them. I can show you what I bought if that’ll make you believe me.

 

[Piggies&buns]

The babies cost $120 but the sow costs $90. Here are some pictures I took at the store a couple days ago.

As a pro rescue forum, it doesn't matter how much they cost. We will always encourage rescue over buying due to the risks associated with it - missexing, pregnancies etc

What is that in that food bowl? Looks like seeds of some sort?

Right - you need to make sure your boar pair are bonding properly. They will be in a period of establishing for the next two weeks. Hopefully all will be fine between them and they will live a long and happy life together.
IF their bond fails, they will need to be immediately separated and put into separate cages.
They will then need to be appropriately bonded with a character compatible companion. Ideally a new companion sought via dating.
Buying a piggy is very risky due to misexing but also as you dont know whether they will be compatible. You could so easily get it wrong and then you will need more cages, have more single piggies and each one needing their own new friend. If a compatible boar friend is found then each pair must be kept in separate cages measuring 180cm x 60cm.
Any bonding you attempt yourself must be done on neutral territory and the Piggies must be in a bonding pen for several hours before being transferred to their thoroughly cleaned out cage to live. IF it fails, then they must be immediately separated and live separately

IF their bond fails and you decide to get them a sow each, then:
Each piggy must be neutered and must be kept away from sows for six weeks post op to become infertile.
At that point you can then go dating to find a suitable character compatible companion to bond them with.

I was buying bug spray for mites, bottles, shampoo and also snacks for them. I can show you what I bought if that’ll make you believe me.

You dont need to use a spray for mites on guinea pigs. Doing so when they dont have mites can be harmful. If you suspect they have mites, then they must be taken to a vet, diagnosed and prescribed the correct course of treatment to deal with mites. Using a spray every now and then won't do anything

 

[Siikibam]

Do not use bug sprays on them. You're not a vet and not qualified to treat them. If you think something is wrong you need to get them to the vet for diagnosis and meds if needed. Home treating can lead to other issues. And you don't need to shampoo them either. As I said earlier, they don't need washing regularly unless they have a dirty bottom from poo or for medical reasons.