Indoor Housing

[Toystorytowers]

Hi,
New Guinea pig owner looking for advice here.
Yesterday we went to buy 2 ex handling guinea pigs from a local petting farm type place. However they had sold when we got there so the lady showed us the three babies they had instead. Feeling bad about leaving one behind and potentially condemning it to a life alone we agreed to take all three. Having read more online since we got them home I understand a trio of boars may not work out. Not a huge problem if not we can accommodate that but want to give them the best chance of success so having read lots of advice last night and noticing the already dominant behaviour of one, this morning I went out and purchased this;http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/rabbit-guinea-pig-play-pen in large. Their current cage is only 1m long with the intention to upgrade as they grow (this one was given to us and I did only expect 2 young ones not 3). I am trying to give them as much space as possible to give them a 'fighting' chance (!). So the run is currently set up on the floor inside with a waterproof backed fleece blanket underneath, 3 food bowls, 3 tubes, 2 houses with at least 2 exits each and 2 water bottles. I have also made 3 separate piles of hay. So my question at last is... am I better leaving them in the indoor run tonight and tomorrow while we are out at work or putting them back in the cage. I can't see that they can come to any harm in the run, or escape, and they have places to hide away. As far as I can see it's no different really to the c and c cages I've seen pics of. Just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Thanks.

 

[Briony_S]

They will be far better in playpen than the cage. 100cm is way too small to risk with boy trios.

I would leave them in there until you decide what to do you could always pop the cage in as an extra hidey for them to get in and out as they please as well.

 

[Pigpi]

I agree they will be fine in the run. However do you have any other pets eg. Cats or dogs as if you do you need make sure they can't get to the piggies.
Trios can work as long as the piggies have enough personal space. Your doing the right thing with 3 of everything. Hopefully if the piggies are young they may get along well as they are used to been together.

 

[Toystorytowers]

Thank you, they have woken up now and there is lots of rumbling and squeaking going on in there. Fingers crossed they settle down once they've sussed out the new place! We do have dogs but they won't be in the same room as them when we aren't there.

 

[Stewybus]

You seem to be doing everything right so good luck that they stay friends. When they get past 8 months to about 15 months is the time when they may start to fight but if you get past 15 months you'll be nearly home & dry. A little tip with the run so you have the greatest floor area is to have it hexagonal as in the picture this will give more space than in a 1x2 configuration & you don't have any tight corners for them to get cornered in if things do get rough..

 

[Toystorytowers]

Thanks for the help