My piggie doesn't like her cagemate!

[Jangopop]

Hello all!
I've registered here to seek some advice on my two little piggies.

Originally I had two sows, Twinkie and Moo. They were incredibly close and absolutely loved each other to pieces. Unfortunately we lost Twinkie due to a URI and Moo desperately needed a cage mate. We bought home a piggie a while ago and tried desperately to introduce them in various ways but Moo just does not want another cage mate. I have had to separate them because Moo just ends up chasing her and pulling out her hair excessively. I now feel terrible about keeping both pigs separate

I've decided that I'd definitely like to bring home another couple of piggies to keep the younger pig company and am hoping to make a nice big c&c cage with a partition so that Moo can be nearby but kept to herself so she doesn't hurt anyone.

I have been told that perhaps a neutered boar might be the best option to keep the peace between them all and that perhaps moo, twinkie and the boar could all be kept together.

I was told it was quite rare for female piggies to reject each other in this way. Is that true? I obviously don't want to bring home more piggies and have the same situation again.

I'm hoping that someone could just lend some advice in what is best for my piggies. I just want them happy!

Thank you for your help and taking the time to read this. -c

 

[Pepperdog]

firstly hi and welcome

secondly are you in the UK? If yes, have a look on this link https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?m...ll=52.643063,-1.230469&spn=6.775737,19.753418 where there are recommended piggy bank rescues that could help you to match up the perfect mate for moo. They are recommended as they dont breed, have specific standards and are fabulous rescues. Some offer sow dating where you girl will be tried with different sows so she can choose her own friend. Others may have neutered boys in that might work better in your situation but there are lots of options for you and still a lot to try.

 

[Jangopop]

Hi Pepperdog. Yes I am in the UK, I'm situated near Taunton, where there doesn't seem to be any of these amazing places. :0
However that sounds pretty amazing, I'd absolutely love to have moo find someone she'll be happy with! :<> Is there somewhere on the forum which could explain this a bit for me?

 

[sarah0712]

Hi Pepperdog. Yes I am in the UK, I'm situated near Taunton, where there doesn't seem to be any of these amazing places. :0
However that sounds pretty amazing, I'd absolutely love to have moo find someone she'll be happy with! :<> Is there somewhere on the forum which could explain this a bit for me?

Basically sow dating is where you take your guinea pig along to one of these rescues and they will try her with a few different sows (or neutered boars) and let her pick her own friend.

It really works well and has a very high success rate. It also means you won't bringing any pigs home that she's not likely to get on with!

 

[Jangopop]

That sounds brilliant, thank you!

Would you advise that I keep moo and her potential future cagemate separate from our other pig and her future cagemates?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

I am very sorry for your problem. Piggies can be astonishingly picky as to who they want to live with.

Here is our Piggy Bank rescue support network map of recommended (and vetted) guinea pig rescues; the vast majority will allow you to bring both your girls to let them choose who they want to get on with. That minimises any risks for you of ending up with another headache.

It really is worth travelling a bit further up the road to Bristol for it where there are several rescues! All these guinea pig rescues rehome only healthy sows that have passed a full pregnancy watch. They will also support you during the settling phase as well as the whole life of any of their piggies.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0

 

[sarah0712]

That sounds brilliant, thank you!

Would you advise that I keep moo and her potential future cagemate separate from our other pig and her future cagemates?

I'm not an expert, but if Moo has taken a dislike to her cage mate, then it may be best to take them both along and get them both paired with different sows. That way they'll both be happy with different friends.

 

[Pepperdog]

not too far from me - in the bigger picture of all things piggy. I travelled to Walsall to find a neutered boar for my 3 girls when they lost their husboar this year and then to Glynneath GPR for my two boys (I fell in love with them I confess) and if you are prepared to travel there are more options open to you. I know it may sound a little daunting with not having a local place near you, but it really is worth the travel and effort for the pigs happiness.