Should I Turn My Duo Into A Trio ?

[bethanyjane]

So I have two beautiful female guinea pigs. Nthanda is 6/7 years old and Nandi is 4. Nthanda is getting on in life and she has now got a lump which has been there for 7 months however not grown or affected her in any way so far. Nandi and Nthanda are as tight as can be and when I separate them for even just 2 seconds, Nandi calls for Nthanda and does not settle until she is back with her. she can get herself into quite the state. I am worried that when Nthanda goes (which is a horrible thought I know ! but there is no escaping it ) how is Nandi going to react. at the end of the day I cannot comfort her the way she needs. so would it be an option to get a third guinea pig now and bond the three so that when the day comes, Nandi will have another piggy for comfort ? Nthanda lost here first friend and even I could see her grieving ! then when I got Nandi, Nthanda came right back.

thx.x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

It is always difficult when you are facing the passing of an older piggy. Could you please add your location to your details, as your options depend to a good extent on it. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.

That will help us narrow down the options to what is available to you and discuss the pros and cons of what you actually can do.

 

[bethanyjane]

hi yes sorry didn't even notice I could add more info on my profile.x

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for adding your info! That helps a lot!

In your case, the best and by far safest place for you is Hutches Rescue in Alyth/Perthshire. It is the one rescue in Scotland that we can recommend full-heartedly. They offer piggy dating under expert supervision, so either both girls or just your bereaved girl can decide for themselves who they want to live with. If you can travel there, it is really well worth the distance!
http://www.hutches-boarding-rescue.org.uk/

I have dated several bereaved or difficult sows of mine with both other sows or neutered boars and I have also adopted a pair of younger sows for my soon-to-be-widowed neutered boar Llewelyn (dated himself by a bereaved Dizzy) as I wanted to spare him the pining when his beloved 3 years older "wife" passed away - which did thankfully work!
The key to a successful new bond is mutual linking much less than gender or age. Due to the piggies having the ultimate say when being dated, I have always come off with a happy new relationship, if not always with the piggy I had tentatively reserved! But you fall in love with whoever ends up with you anyway...

If Hutches don't have dateable sows, you could consider discussing the possibility of having an adult boar (over 15 months old and past the teenage hormones in view of your ladies not being the youngest) neutered , so he could live with the girls/your bereaved girl after a 6 weeks post op safety wait; while waiting, he could live alongside, so they know each other through the bars and intros will be easier. Again, if you could let your girls decide who they fancy most, it will go a long way towards a happy relationship. Older sows can be rather particular in who they want to get on in my experience!
We have got a piggy savvy vet locator on the top, and to my knowledge there is a very good one in the Edinburgh area, so in your case, that could be an alternative option for you to research. Having a good vet handy is vital in order to minimise the risk of post complications. A neutered boar would have the advantage that he doesn't upset the existing sow hierarchy, but dominant older sows do not necessarily accept a boar.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/

PS: I have tagged another forum mod, who fosters for Hutches rescue. @lisaali

 

[bethanyjane]

hi thanks for getting back so quickly ! have been thinking about a trio for a LONG time now but I guess I was just nervous of changing things and if their bond changes. Is that something that can happen ? The older guinea Nthanda is as laid back as ever so I feel like Nandi the younger one will be more particular with new friends ! I would like to stay with girls if I can purely to avoid the whole neutering thing for the time being. to be honest I never really though of bonding them with a boar, I will keep that in mind and will definitely look into it. I have been looking for rescues with guineas but didn't realise that hutches rehomes so I will definitely be in touch with them.

thanks a million !

 

[Guinea Slave]

Hi, I definitely prefer more than two. As you quite rightly say, it's not so tough on them should one sadly pass on.

I have had various herd sizes over the years. What I have found works best is four (my current herd just seems to work with this group). One neutered male and three girls. He keeps the girls in check especially if they are squabbling or in season.

The other thing I like about four or more is If one is sick then I have another who can keep them company whilst leaving two in their shed without leaving one alone.

Echoing weibke, all my piggies have chosen their friends. I take them to a rescue I know well. Turn up with them all and we just try them out for a few hours. It works really well and friendships having lasted the duration as a result.

It's great you are looking ahead. It's a sad thing to think about but made so much sadder if you have a grieving piggy as well.

 

[bethanyjane]

I have contacted hutches and just waiting to hear back from them. But at the moment my two are in a 6.5ft x 3ft cage with "loft" part as well. Would that be big enough for say 3 guineas? I have added an extra section using grids so I can easily add more space. many people have their own opinions and I know more space is always better !