Introducing Baby Guinea Pigs To An Older Male

[M_Gos]

Hi, I'd just like some advice.
I've kept guinea pigs for around 9 years, and have only ever had boars. I've introduced many males to each other, including baby boys to older males and always had success (after a bit of patience and time to get to know each other). My current guinea pig is a 4 year old male, and he's been on his own for 2-3 years now, as his cage mate died, and since he had a lot of attention from my family (who didn't want another guinea pig) I never got him a new cage mate.
He's healthy and happy most of the time, but when he's been on his own for a few hours he tends to look a bit dejected and sad. I know guinea pigs a social and I've finally persuaded my family that he needs a friend, but I'm worried how he'd react after so long on his own.
My plan is to get (hopefully adopt) two young boars from the same litter and very gradually introduce them.
Does anyone have experience of introducing multiple pigs? Is it very risky since he's been alone so long?

Thank you!

 

[Rodentopia]

Personally with males I wouldn't gradually introduce as they don't work like that. With males you are better to use a neutral space and pop them in there and watch them, if all is well after an hour I move on to the cage. A clean cage that smells of neither party. Again I watch them. Very rarely do I get to the cage and have fall outs normally happens in first hour in the play pen.

I can't see why he wouldn't accept another male as he has lived with another piggy in the past. Regards how many, I have a group of males 8 at the moment as sadly lost one the other day. I have introduced them all together and no two are related. They are a mixed bag of ages from 4 months to 4 years. Personally I wouldn't get two babies to go with your male as the problem is when they hit hormonal stage they will hit it at the same and could cause friction and you could end up with 3 separate males. If I was you I would get a 6 week old baby male, usually no problem introducing one on one. An adult male will rarely fight a baby.

 

[M_Gos]

By gradually, I mean I've always let them get used to each others' smells in the house for a few hours, put them in a neutral area and watched, and if they've fought (never blood but some have been quite aggressive at first) I've separated them, then tried again a bit later. It's always worked in the end for me.
I considered getting multiple new pigs as I've heard it can lessen the competitiveness to a degree, as it's not one-on-one opposition, and because my current one is 4 already it would mean the new one wouldn't be too bereaved when he dies as he'll still have a companion.
Thanks so much for the help!

 

[Sara412]

I have 5 boys (sadly just lost my eldest boy) I have always introduced babys to the older ones , and had great success, until I had two baby brothers, as Rodentopia pointed out they mature at the same time and this caused a few problems, but on the whole they all get on well, I have just made sure there are enough hidey holes for each of them when they want time out from each other

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! It is good if the newbies have time to settle first in their new home and get their bearings. It also doesn't hurt if they can meet through the bars first for a day or at least a few hours and can swap scents.

Please be aware that boars needing to be litter mates to get on better is a persistent myth. Whether they make it through the big teenage hormones together depends on whether they are character compatible; we have certainly had our fair share of brothers falling out on here!
If you are located in Britain, you may want to consider "boar dating" your boy under expert supervision at one of our recommended rescues instead, so that your boy can ultimately decide who he wants to get on with. All recommended rescues only rehome healthy, quarantined piggies and are run by very experienced, piggy savvy people to a very high standard. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/

PS: With members from all over the world, you can help us to always give you the appropriate advice and recommendations straight away by adding your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details. click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details/location.

 

[M_Gos]

Thanks so much everyone, I definitely feel like I can make it safe and easy now!

 

[madguinealady]

tbh i wouldnt introduce two just one. Trios have the highest fall out rate.With my girls i have two that wont accept adults but dont have a problem with babies, I just rubbed the baby going in with hay that the other one had been in and then put them in and had no problems. I have all sows so someone may put me right on the numbers but from what i have read unless you have loads of space and loads of experience i would stick to introducing 1.I ahve a group of 6 sows where 4 are babies but have the space to split if fighting occurs as they mature