Recommend Size For 2 Sows & 1 Boar?

[Shauny]

Hi,

I currently have 2 sows in a 2.5 x 4 c&c cage with a 2x2 loft. My local rescue has 3 neutered males about 1 year older than my girlies. I'd love to be able to give a forever home to one of the lucky chaps, but is my cage big enough to accommodate an extra piggie?

The girls also have playtime in 3x5 c&c run which takes up my entire kitchen floor space.

Though I'd love to rescue a piggie in need, I wouldn't want to upset my girls as they do get along well. My OH thinks introducing another Guinea pig might upset them, so I'm confused as to what to do, what does everyone on here think?

Heres a link to the lovely lads (about half way down the page):
http://www.greenwichrabbitrescue.com/rabbitsthatneedhomes.htm

 

[Twinkletoes]

I'm not 100% sure but 2x4 is minimum for 3 sows and a 2x5 is minimum for 3 boars

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

I currently have 2 sows in a 2.5 x 4 c&c cage with a 2x2 loft. My local rescue has 3 neutered males about 1 year older than my girlies. I'd love to be able to give a forever home to one of the lucky chaps, but is my cage big enough to accommodate an extra piggie?

The girls also have playtime in 3x5 c&c run which takes up my entire kitchen floor space.

Though I'd love to rescue a piggie in need, I wouldn't want to upset my girls as they do get along well. My OH thinks introducing another Guinea pig might upset them, so I'm confused as to what to do, what does everyone on here think?

Heres a link to the lovely lads (about half way down the page):
http://www.greenwichrabbitrescue.com/rabbitsthatneedhomes.htm

2x5 ft is the RSPCA recommendation for 3 guinea pigs. You are well above that!

If you want to introduce your two girls to a neutered boar, please make sure that the boars are at least 6 weeks post neutering op (I have got a surprise baby courtesy of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post op rescue boar) and that the rescue has got a mandatory quarantine.
Arrange a meeting at the rescue, so you can make sure that acceptance has happened, ideally also that the boar is not more dominant than your top sow if she is very dominant. Please be aware that a mixed trio will not work if your two girls are not good friends; you may find that one of the girls is pushed to the side in that case. otherwise, mixed trios are great. I have had some myself.

 

[Shauny]

Well that's great news the rescue is closed today so I'll give her a call tomorrow about arranging an introduction. Neither of my 2 girls are very dominate tbh, everything is shared nicely between them. When one rumble struts they both popcorn, tho they don't do it very often. So fingers crossed they'll accept one of the boys.

If a boar is accepted, when bringing him home would I need to quarantine him or would I able to put him straight in with the girls?

Getting excited now

 

[Wiebke]

Well that's great news the rescue is closed today so I'll give her a call tomorrow about arranging an introduction. Neither of my 2 girls are very dominate tbh, everything is shared nicely between them. When one rumble struts they both popcorn, tho they don't do it very often. So fingers crossed they'll accept one of the boys.

If a boar is accepted, when bringing him home would I need to quarantine him or would I able to put him straight in with the girls?

Getting excited now

If he has undergone quarantine at the rescue, then he can join his ladies straight away. The trio can do with a short time in neutral space after arrival before they move into the totally cleaned and ideally somehwat rearranged cage. I would recommend to remove any hideys and places with only one exit until the dust has settled. A boar can get very randy at first and lose the on-switch to his brain. If necessary, separate over night. You also want to make sure that any meetings are in a place that can be wiped down and aired, as testosterone-laden pee will be liverally spread everywhere; the ladies will pee back to discourage any untimely advances.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-re-introducing-guinea-pigs.38562/

The rescue is not known to me, so please make sure that they are up standard re. quarantine and how soon to rehome after neutering before setting up a dating trip.

 

[Shauny]

Okay, good advice. I've sent an email enquiring about them, but I'll make sure to ask if they've any quarantine time/how long and how long ago they where neutered. The last thing I'd want is for my g-pigs to get ill or pregnant.

Thanks for your advice, it's really appreciated