Should I Get Another Female Piggie?

[AliceKay]

Hi I have had to separate my two piggies until my little boy can be neutered (they will not be back together until mid November...) The boy seems more than happy with this new set up and is doing "popcorn laps" round his cage atm, the girl is not happy at all though- high pitch squeaking and becoming even more shy than she was before.
Does any one have a positive experience of such a long separation and do you think getting another female to keep my current girl company would help her/ work?
Thanks

 

[Mother Hubbard]

I would consider what space you have first and remember it can be harder to bond more than one. I have kepted a separated piggy. My concern would be for your female piggy as if they were together she could easily be pregnant if they were together and now separated. Or perhaps I read that wrong.

Could you put your location as it can help when providing advice tailored to your location etc.

What size cage(s) or hutches do you have. Obviously piggies don't like to be on their own, they like company, perhaps lots of interacting will help whilst your boar is recovering from his operation. Has he been done yet?

 

[Wiebke]

Separation is always very heart-breaking, even more so during the first few days; some piggies struggle more with being alone than others.

Are your two currently still living on two levels or have you been able to set up a cage where they can live next to each other with constant contact through the bars yet in the short time since we recommended to you to separate? Your girl is very likely to perk up a lot just by being able to kiss her brother and sleep next to him even though separated by grids.

You can consider the company of an older sow if you have the option to date them to be sure that they like each other and that the other sow is healthy (i.e. quarantined) and not potentially pregnant herself (ideally having undergone a pregnancy watch at the rescue).

However, you also have to consider that your little girl may have up to 6 babies at one point. Birth and the nursing period will turn the hierarchy upside down, as nursing mums enjoy protected status within a group. This can severely strain a relationship. You also have to factor in that you may want to hang onto as many babies as possible in a couple of months' time!

 

[AliceKay]

Ok thanks for the advice - I guess I hadnt thought so much about the fact I would want to keep the babies lol, at least the girls. Just fingers crossed she isnt pregnant :/

 

[AliceKay]

Considering I cant put them back together until mid November though - if it became apparent that she isnt pregnant before hand would having another sow upset bonding them back with the boar do you think? thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Considering I cant put them back together until mid November though - if it became apparent that she isnt pregnant before hand would having another sow upset bonding them back with the boar do you think? thanks

No, it wouldn't. A neutered boar can live with any number of sows. My own boys live or have lived with any number between one and thirteen sows. As long as the two girls are good friends, a pair of sows with a neutered boar works well; I've had several successful ones and one pair of squabbly sisters which didn't work out as well, so it is well worth dating for mutual liking. "Husboars" are not part of the sow hierarchy, so introducing your boy will not upset the apple cart. He will have to fit into the overall hierarchy, but he is in a category of his own and will have to get on withall girls in order to mate with them. Boars are often the glue that holds a group together.

 

[AliceKay]

Thanks Wiebke

 

[Carol]

Hi guys ! So life with my 3 is going really well, the girls get on ok and all have really different personalities!
Maisie still stays on the outside of things, HRH Poppy is definitely the boss and Dee ( who I thought would never like me) is actually turning into a bit of a cuddle monster.
Tomorrow I'm introducing them to a new friend called Cheeky a neutered boar I got from my local RSPCA ! Am so nervous but Cheeky seems to be a lovely confident young man ( he is slightly older) should I introduce the girls one at a time or plunge in with all 3?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys ! So life with my 3 is going really well, the girls get on ok and all have really different personalities!
Maisie still stays on the outside of things, HRH Poppy is definitely the boss and Dee ( who I thought would never like me) is actually turning into a bit of a cuddle monster.
Tomorrow I'm introducing them to a new friend called Cheeky a neutered boar I got from my local RSPCA ! Am so nervous but Cheeky seems to be a lovely confident young man ( he is slightly older) should I introduce the girls one at a time or plunge in with all 3?

You need to introduce them as a group in neutral space. Please start your own thread for more advice. You can find the green "start new thread" button on the top right when you click on the link.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forums/behaviour-and-bonding.21/