Questions for those that have herd with more than one boar

Status
Not open for further replies.
Vida

Vida

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
309
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Location
Catalonia, Spain
I know that that's not many on here, but I believe there are at least a couple, so would appreciate help and advice.

I have 8 guinea pigs, 3 boars and 5 sows. Those that know me from the forum, know the story, quick version, I though I had 2 males. After a year on here and learning A LOT (thanks so much to everybody), my 3 boars have been neutered and I have waited the 6 week period. The last one went in with sows today.

They all live next to each other and each group has a 6 by 3 C&C.
They are currently in 3 groups. However my idea has always been (if possible) to get them to live as a herd, opening the cages up to have one massive C&C.
They have all lived together at different times. They have all lived in all the cages. I constantly change houses, water bottles, plates, the mats they live on and swap them around so they have the smells of all of them. (I know this was not advised on the forum, but it has worked for me.)

So my question is, how do I proceed next and more importantly, is it worth it? Is it worth going through all the bonding (yet again) and will it work?

Thanks.
 
Personally, I would never risk upsetting the balance - boars will fall out over sows and you could potentially end up with a lot of separated piggies :(
Don't break what is not broken is a familiar saying on here so I would leave well alone.
I too have 5 boys and 13 girls all in groups/pairs and have been through the upset of failed sow introductions, it really upset the harmony of my herd for a time and would never try again :)
 
I have no idea about bonding such a mixed group - ive only ever bonded pairs of boys along with a trio and pair with only one neutered male (and i swear that's where my one and only grey hair came from last time i went to the hairdressers) :{
 
UPDATE:

Unfortunately, one of my boars, Vashtian, died to complications after an operation to remove an abcess. So very sad, he was only a year old. :(

That left me with 2 boars and 5 sows.
I did ask for help from another member who has a mixed herd and took her advice. Lots of space is essential.

The result is all my guinea pigs live together now. It can be done. :)
 
I'm sorry for your loss...and am glad your herd is happy:)
 
I am sorry for your loss.

As you say, space is the key - and most people will struggle to provide enough. The boars also need to be able to get along character-wise. I am glad that it works for you.
 
Sorry to hear about Vashtian :(
I think having boars can work if you do have the room needed, there are successful trios out there.
It just isn't recommended if you are not experienced with boy antics and to prevent people thinking it's ok to add another to a bonded pair or three single piggies can live together ?/ So many piggies have fall outs so pairs are less likely to cause upsets.
Age and personality can possibly make a difference too after the teen hormones have settled, doesn't mean to say they will live forever as a trio though.
My piggies will chat to each other through the spaced grids for ages but I spotted one girl (3 years + old) really trying to go for another this week although seconds earlier, she was licking her nose so would never really trust them 100%. My two pairs of boys live next to each other and say hello regularly but I would never attempt to put them near each other however well they appear to get along.
Great things have worked for you and the boys and again, sorry to hear of your sad loss.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top