Tara95
Adult Guinea Pig
I've got this urge to own another pig or two and add to my herd of four sows and a neutered boar. I just thought I'd get this out here on the forum before I do anything silly or drastic without thinking it through/talking it out with valued and trusted forum members who have always helped and given me the best advice for animal welfare. I have always wanted to add more on and off for a while but since lockdown has got worse I've been thinking about it even more. Maybe as a distraction/escapism.
My reasons for not getting anymore guinea pigs were clear; my herd of 5 are happy together and they have a very spacious environment are well fed and have lots access to hay.
Equally, I see this as an opportunity to give a lone sow or pair a better life. As my guinea pigs have more than enough space (I've even considered creating a little extension, a little 2 x 2 extension for a conversationary or kitchen area to extend living space if I were to get more) I also already have 10+, hidies so there would be no competition for hideouts or space. I already buy too much veg so having one or two more would probably improve their diet. I really like the idea of resources such as hidies, accessories, hay being used and less waste.
I absolutely love having guinea pigs and it has become a big hobby of mine and feels like I've been doing it for a lifetime. I don't feel like I'll ever lose interest. Although, I have to remind myself I already have 5 and what worries me is I've only had my guinea pigs for not even 6 months so I don't want to risk not losing interest but being less interested in let's say 3 years time if I were to have for example more than 5 it could be more challenging to get all the tasks done. I wouldn't say I'm the perfect owner I don't spot clean everyday but since upgrading to a bigger cage I have found that I don't need too.
My reasons for not getting anymore guinea pigs were clear; my herd of 5 are happy together and they have a very spacious environment are well fed and have lots access to hay.
Equally, I see this as an opportunity to give a lone sow or pair a better life. As my guinea pigs have more than enough space (I've even considered creating a little extension, a little 2 x 2 extension for a conversationary or kitchen area to extend living space if I were to get more) I also already have 10+, hidies so there would be no competition for hideouts or space. I already buy too much veg so having one or two more would probably improve their diet. I really like the idea of resources such as hidies, accessories, hay being used and less waste.
I absolutely love having guinea pigs and it has become a big hobby of mine and feels like I've been doing it for a lifetime. I don't feel like I'll ever lose interest. Although, I have to remind myself I already have 5 and what worries me is I've only had my guinea pigs for not even 6 months so I don't want to risk not losing interest but being less interested in let's say 3 years time if I were to have for example more than 5 it could be more challenging to get all the tasks done. I wouldn't say I'm the perfect owner I don't spot clean everyday but since upgrading to a bigger cage I have found that I don't need too.
and I agree I wouldn't be happy having to reduce my current cage size if I had to split up pairs. It just wouldn't be the same. I was hoping for a smooth bonding and would plan on adding an extension if I added two in the future as I wouldn't want to take away too much of the piggies cage. My herd isn't perfect, but they've been getting along really nicely recently it would be a shame to put them through all that stress again when they've only just settled in. The two farm sisters have their ups and downs, it's sad that they don't really like each other but they're not aggressive towards each at all physically just teeth chatter in each other's presence and go to different ends of the room. They do have another friends in the herd though and have been teeth chattering a bit less at each other recently. I don't think those two would have worked as a bonded pair in a pets at home cage for one second though. There's alot of competition over food as well and is always a mad time when veg is served. I don't think they'd personally like any more as mine don't really like sharing hidies or food.
now I want more. I've just got this impulse that I can't switch off. Like I'm addicted to adding guinea pigs or thinking about adding more. I don't think my herd would approve though. My boyfriend isn't keen on having anymore either unfortunately. 
. I didn't make that association atall. Perhaps I need to ban myself from these websites at certain times. I've been inquiring about guinea pigs for the last two days just asking questions.
