Sow Trio

[starla]

Bit of advice would be appreciated! I have owned guineas for years and still have 6 but they all live together in a massive shed enclosure...this situation is one I haven't come across for a while!

I have a trio of sows (living inside) one older girl, one about 6 months and one 9 weeks.

Does anyone else worry that in a trio one pig may feel left out? My older pig Mabel and 6 month old pig Lilly are best friends and cuddle up a lot. They aren't unkind to the baby pig but I worry she is left out
It would be lovely to introduce another sow into the trio but I am then complicating the situation further?!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

You have to see how things develop, but trios are more prone to an outsider problem than any other constellation. Trios are great if they work, though!
If the little one stays left out, I would either look for another youngster as a playmate for your baby or a neutered boar. Ideally you date all sows at a rescue to find the best addition to your little group - that way, you won't have to worry about ending up with another piggy that may not fit in.
Here is the Piggy Bank map of (vetted) recommended good standard rescues: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0

 

[starla]

Thanks Wiebke. I do rescue always if I can, I agree a pig date would be best to ensure no upsets!

 

[starla]

How long should I leave it, incidentally, before I consider changing the situation?

 

[LeahsPiggies]

I attempted to bond 3 of my girls (1 pair and 1 single) and it's safe to say it failed miserably lol!

I hope you have better luck with yours, guinea pigs arn't like rabbits and don't really tend to groom etc, they prefer their own spaces I have found so no need to worry about one being left out, unless 2 pick on 1 and then you'd need to find a way to resolve that.

Good luck xx