Separate Cages With 2 Boys And A Girl

[Rachel2237]

Hello!

I posted awhile ago about the shock of finding out that one of my "boys" was actually a girl! She has since been separated and actually doesn't seem to be pregnant, yay! But I recently got both of my boys neutered thinking I could attempt to keep them all together. However even with Keba not being in the cage, just the next cage over, the boys had a fight last night. Choji, my older male, had a small cut on his lip, but more than anything he just seemed shook up. He made some really sad noises for about an hour. I cuddled him and he eventually perked up. He is drinking and eating totally normal today. None of the piggies seem to bent out of shape anymore. In fact the boys keep biting at the cage trying to get to one another. They have never fought before and honestly never even seemed too agitated with one another. I would hate to give one of my piggies up unless I knew it was to a great home and he would have a friend.

So my question is, can I keep my older male alone, just in the cage next door. And keep the young boy and girl together? Obviously fighting could not occur, I just worry the piggie by himself may get sad. Could I occasionally let Keba live with one male and then the other? Or would it just work out best to find one of them a new home?

 

[flowerfairy]

This may help.

Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?

 

[Swissgreys]

A mixed threesome with 2 boars and 1 sow will never work. The boars will always fight with each other.
But the fact that both of your boys are neutered (I hope I understood that correctly) is fantastic, as this gives you lots of scope to create 2 happy groups.

If it were me I would try and bond the young boy (once he is 6 weeks post op) with your young girl.
I would then try and find a female companion for your older boar too, and keep them as 2 separate pairs.
All guinea pigs are much happier with their own companion, and it sounds like you already have 3 separate cages, so hopefully you can come up with a way to make 2 large cages, and have 1 pair in each.
A good rescue will help you find a friend for your boy, but I am not sure if you have one nearby.
And I also wanted to add that once they are separated you can't just move Keba from cage to cage. Guinea pigs form strong bonds and it won't work if she lives with your younger male and then is suddenly expected to move in wit the older male for a while. You need to work on creating 2 bonded pairs.

Good luck with it all. It does sound like you are a very caring owner and are trying to do the right thing in a complicated situation.