keeping neutered boars near sows

Louise3pigs

Louise3pigs

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What is the minimum distance required between a hutch with two neutered boars and a hutch with sows? And could they time share a run? Or would the smell of the sows drive the boars crackers?
 
Have they had their 6 week wait? If so why not give them a sow each? It would make them very happy! I wouldn't recommend having more than 1 boar with sows as this would probably cause fighting between the boars. If you want to give them a sow each follow the bonding guides in the Guinea Pig Guides at the top of the page.
 
Would they be happier with a sow or two each than with each other? I know that there's no way to answer that specifically, but generally do boars prefer sows company than other boars?
 
Louise3pigs said:
Would they be happier with a sow or two each than with each other? I know that there's no way to answer that specifically, but generally do boars prefer sows company than other boars?
Click to expand...
From all the research I've done, yes, boy (neutered) and girl/s produces the best bonds.
 
Ok, I've had a really really long think about this, and I have a few more questions....

Currently my two year old neutered males are in a big hutch within the 2m x 2m omlet run. They get on very well. I can't even work out who is the boss!

I have potential to have a 6ft x 6ft shed which I could attach to the 2m x 2m run (accessed via a pop hole). The hutch wouldn't be used anymore so the space would be roughly 12ft x 12ft...or 144ft squared.

Would THIS be enough space for my two boars to live happily with, say, four sows....? or is space irrelevant and they will fall out over the sows and start fighting?
 
Unfortunately any number of sows with more than one boar is highly likely to upset the bond yours boars already have and cause then to fight and fall out. Once that happens their bond will be broken. In the wild only one boar lives with a group of sows.
 
Thanks Guineatopia, I thought that might be the answer.

So, therefore I'd be better off having a herd of sows in one hutch and run and my fellas in another? Maybe the shed for the ladies and leave the boys where they are next door?
Would the sows be fine in the 6ft x 6ft shed for the majority of the time with a run put out for grass time weather permitting? A bit like indoor pigs in a separate room from the main living area?

I swear my curse in life is over-thinking everything....:(
 
Just a thought .....

Have you considered having 2 sows each for your boars? :hmm: That would make them both very happy.:D
 
I hear what you're saying Betsy, loud and clear...:love:

But the boys get on so well, I'm afraid to split them up....

Unless you think they would be even happier with a couple of chicas...? I know it would make me very happy because it would mean I has 6 piggy babies! But it's not about what I want really, is it? x
 
I have my two boys who are very well bonded and then I have girls separate.

I like your idea of keeping the girls in the shed with acess to a run and the boys in their own set up. If your boars are very well bonded I wouldn’t split them.
If you want a group of girls, try a rescue to see if they already have a bonded trio.
 
I agree with guineautopia, if your boars are well bonded I wouldn't mess with that by separating to out with sows. If you have the pair of boars and a group of sows then leave them be, at least they are all happy :)
 
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