New owner, didn't read the "facts" now concerened

D

Debslou

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 8, 2019
Messages
6
Reaction score
15
Points
125
Location
Shropshire
Hi guys, hold my hands up as irresponsible, have 3 kids all of which requested guinea pigs, as a family we headed out nievely to pets at home enquired, was told not to keep 3 together but have 4 so mum and dad got one too.. Was also told a bluebell hutch would be more than sufficient.. So bought hutch went home set up with everything and went back for the piggies, one side girls other side boys, same bloke we. Saw earlier kids like the boys so we. Walked out with 4 boys who were all together.. We get home everyone happy,. I then start my research, we have had them a week, I find this hutch is certainly not suitable I find out that boys need a much larger space I find out that not many people keep more than two boys together due to fights.. I love these piggies I really do and I want what's best for them, so currently re arranging everything to try and fit in a 2 x6 cand c cage for them.. But I'm am absolutely dreading these fights I keep reading about has anyone. Had experience with a bunch a boys that do get on.. I know space is a big Factor and trust me I am really working on that at the minute I feel so sorry for them and know its my fault for not doing the research, but am also not impressed with pets at home either.. Fingers crossed we have 4 happy boys, they have run of the conservatory in the day so are not cooped up all day in that bloody hutch.
 
Don’t panic, it might well all work out fine but well done for doing research (even after getting the boys). You could always split them into two pairs? See how they get on and keep an eye on them for any signs of grumpiness. My two boys fell out but live happily side by side so they can touch noses but not fight.
 
:wel: to the forum

If your 4 boys are getting along at the moment, you have time have a good think about what you are going to do.

However..... I can't see them all getting on in a group when your boys hit the "teenage" years so C&C cages are a good idea as you have the option to separate them.
 
Debslou said:
Hi guys, hold my hands up as irresponsible, have 3 kids all of which requested guinea pigs, as a family we headed out nievely to pets at home enquired, was told not to keep 3 together but have 4 so mum and dad got one too.. Was also told a bluebell hutch would be more than sufficient.. So bought hutch went home set up with everything and went back for the piggies, one side girls other side boys, same bloke we. Saw earlier kids like the boys so we. Walked out with 4 boys who were all together.. We get home everyone happy,. I then start my research, we have had them a week, I find this hutch is certainly not suitable I find out that boys need a much larger space I find out that not many people keep more than two boys together due to fights.. I love these piggies I really do and I want what's best for them, so currently re arranging everything to try and fit in a 2 x6 cand c cage for them.. But I'm am absolutely dreading these fights I keep reading about has anyone. Had experience with a bunch a boys that do get on.. I know space is a big Factor and trust me I am really working on that at the minute I feel so sorry for them and know its my fault for not doing the research, but am also not impressed with pets at home either.. Fingers crossed we have 4 happy boys, they have run of the conservatory in the day so are not cooped up all day in that bloody hutch.
Click to expand...

Hi!

Good that you are doing your research now!

Your boys are all pre-teenagers and will keep for a few weeks while you are do your research and consider the best way forward. Ideally you work out which two boars pair up best. With teenage quartets, you usually end up with a working pair and two singles, but you have a better chance if you can work out who is getting best with who and then take it from there. More boar pairs than not will make it through the teenage months together.

Take your time with the housing question as you want to do it right, but make sure that your piggies are safe and warm at this time of the year. Guinea pigs are not hardy and should be treated like tender plants; especially babies whose immune system is still under construction.
Please be aware that an unheated conservatory is like a giant car and heats up/cools just the same, especially once it gets warmer it can become a death trap much sooner than ou'd expect.
You are welcome to look at the various guides at the top of our housing section, including the member galleries for inspiration; then start a thread to ask any questions you have so you can make as informed decisions as possible. ;)

Sadly pet shops are businesses first and foremost; cheap small pets is the hook to get repeat custom in. If the housing was adequate and welfare compatible, it would deter too many impulse buyers. As long as animal welfare is well down the list of pressing concerns for a government, there will be no regulation about the sale of welfare complying housing and any respect for the species specific needs of the animals they sell. It is not an accident that Switzerland with its direct democracy was the first (and so far still the only) country with an advanced animal protection law that forces shops to comply with minimal welfare and species needs - it was the pressure from below that bought this about.

Here is our New Owners guide collection link. You can access the full information on a wide range of topics via the guides shortcut at the top but are always welcome to ask any questions you have along the way in our various Care sections.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Could you please add your county to your account details (via clicking on your username on the top bar). This will allow us to always five you as many local tips and recommendations as possible straight away. We are dealing with members and enquiries from all over the world.
Thank you!
 
You have already received excellent advice, so I just wanted to add a warm Welcome to the Forum.
:wel:

You are certainly not the first member to arrive having made a less than ideal start, including myself.
Well done for starting to research the best possible solution for your boys now.
As someone who has been through several piggy 'personality clashes' (I am looking directly at your Ruby) I can safely say that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. With 4 boys to work with you may well end up with 2 compatible pairs which would be perfect.

Don't forget to post pictures and let us know there names too - you can never post too many piggy pics.
 
Excellent advice already given above.
I’m just sorry that P@H sold you a quad of juvenile boars in the first place and a totally inadequate hutch.
This forum is a great place for support and advice. Please feel free to read the threads and to ask for any advice you may need planning for the future set up of these piggies.
 
Welcome to the forum
I really can’t add to the advice you’ve been given.
I, too, started out with a totally inadequate cage for my first pair of piggies.
Finding the forum really helped me give my piggies a much better life.

It’s great that you are doing the research now.
Please let us see pictures of your boys.
We love drooling over each other’s piggies
 
Hello, Welcome to the forum :D

Have you double checked your piggies are actually all boys? (you don't wan't to end up with babies) ;)
 
20181228_143129.webpfro. Left to right we have biscuit, Bailey, ginger and daisy.. Forgive daisy have a 4 year old daughter that named him.. Thank you all for your replies, we are having a 6x2 c and c arrive within next two weeks, I have thermometer in conservatory for them heat is on when required, we have an area on garden already set out for them come summer months.. Am just dreading them not getting along in the end they are all good at the minute still daisy does alot of rumble strutting and the others just walk off or sniff his butt they do seem content at the minute have extended thier cage with thier play pen so have nearly half the conservatory at the minute, getying sick of washing towels lol..and trying to cover skirting boards from teeth lol Thank you all again, I've been on alot of Facebook groups and have had plenty replies from people with herds of boars that have seemed lucky one lady has 8 I couldn't believe it.. Fingers crossed guys we have chilled out piggies but who knows.. And no i havent double checked yet, 😳 sex wise am on it now!
 
Debslou said:
View attachment 104458fro. Left to right we have biscuit, Bailey, ginger and daisy.. Forgive daisy have a 4 year old daughter that named him.. Thank you all for your replies, we are having a 6x2 c and c arrive within next two weeks, I have thermometer in conservatory for them heat is on when required, we have an area on garden already set out for them come summer months.. Am just dreading them not getting along in the end they are all good at the minute still daisy does alot of rumble strutting and the others just walk off or sniff his butt they do seem content at the minute have extended thier cage with thier play pen so have nearly half the conservatory at the minute, getying sick of washing towels lol..and trying to cover skirting boards from teeth lol Thank you all again, I've been on alot of Facebook groups and have had plenty replies from people with herds of boars that have seemed lucky one lady has 8 I couldn't believe it.. Fingers crossed guys we have chilled out piggies but who knows.. And no i havent double checked yet, 😳 sex wise am on it now!
Click to expand...

8 boars constitute a bachelor herd, so with enough space they are more stable than a quartet or trio. ;)

You have to see how it goes. Make sure that you get 2 spare grids so you can divide the cage whenever necessary.
 
Welcome to the Forum! You've come to the right place for lots of good information and experienced owners advice. Your piggies are lovely :luv:
 
Looks like you have 4 different breeds there 😊 i can see an Abyssinian at the back hiding. A teddy , i think a smoothe haired then the front looks like an Abyssinian cross smoothe, could be a young abby.

I love them, hope it works out, if not i would try and keep 2 pairs or atleast 1 pair. 👍
 
Gorgeous piggies. You do find the more space they have that they are more likely to get on. We they going to become indoor or outdoor piggies
 
Welcome to the forum. Gorgeous looking piggies. Bailey looks very much like one of my old piggies also called Bailey.x
 
20190112_110516.webp
This is the space I have them in at the minute..more hiding places have since been added along with water bottles this was a quick fix just to give them space they now have a hidy each i have 3 water bottles need one more I want try and do everything I can to discourage bickering and am aware that one for one is a good start along with space..we went back to pets at home and I complained the manager was furious we were sold 4 boys and told a blue bell was suitable..I got gifted a 25quid gift voucher and we are allowed to take blue bell back and get full refund..our initial idea was out in summer in for winter..even with them in the house at the minute I'm the only one consciously making the time to spend with them and doing everything if they went out they would get even more ignored by rest of family..so have convinced hubby to keep them in our bedroom as it's the only huge floor space we have..next Friday we are purchasing a 6x2 c and c to start off I want at least 3x6 in the end.. at least then if they do fall out we have option to seperate without purchasing another cage..so have been thinking ahead as I hate to have to give any of them up..they are such characters..we are doing our best at the minute to keep them as happy as possible..they are all booked into the vet next Friday to get a good check and nails clipped, I tried and failed lol..my husband has started calling me the crazy guinea pig lady, honestly tho I didn't think I'd take to them as much as I have, kids say they are theirs but they aren't really they are all mine lol..thank you all on this group, will post pics of new set up as soon as done.
 
Don’t worry, “the crazy guinea pig lady” is obligatory and comes along with the piggies :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top