Sows and Boars dilemma

[ScarletSox]

Hi all,
sorry for the long post!

I have 2 boars approx 5 months old. They live quite happily in a run in our living room. my OH and I were talking last night about the fact that we have alot of space and could quite easily either extend the run (it is pretty huge already) or would have enough space to have another run and to take on 2 more! much to my surprise this was the OH's idea... !

Before we get carried away we will obviously have to sit down and make sure we have the money and the time etc as our boys do get rather spoilt by both of us (OH is a big softy)

What I was wondering was do you think it would better to rehome 2 more bonded boars or 2 bonded sows? OH would love to have a couple of girl piggies to swoon over!
Would we need to have them in different room? Would having more piggies in the room upset the bond between my 2. pow-powThey are not brothers but are litter mates and have been together since they were born? the squabble but no real fighting, Would the smell of girlie pigs change there behaviour in any way?
Would it be more appropriate to have them neutered and put them with a girlfriend each?rolleyes

I just feel that if we have the time and money we should offer a loving home to a couple more unwanted Piggies

Thanks for your help all . xx

 

[gracie]

you wouldn't be able to put two sows with your boars; they'd fight over them. if you bought two more boars chances are they wouldn't bond; there are success stories of groups of boars living happily together, but (i don't know how long you've owned guinea pigs for) i wouldn't take that risk.
i would suggest either getting two sows and bonding one boar to each of those, or just concentrating on enjoying the pigs you have, as separating them may not be something you want to do.

 

[Wiebke]

Your boars are coming up to the hormonal phase, where they both want to prove that they are the biggest and most macho boy ever, so they will need a lot of space over the next few months. I would wait for the time being and see how they get on until they are fully grown adults at about 12-15 months.

You can keep pairs of boars withoout problems in the same room; but they may fight if they have to share the run all at once, and you may end up with several single boars.

If you want females, you have to keep them separate at all times (even on the lawn!), as the smell of females can turn boys into bitter rivals. In the wild, is one male that lives with the females at the centre of the group, while the bachelors are hanging around the outside, waiting for their chance.

If your boys do have a fall-out, you can either pair each with a young boy or have them neutered by an experienced (!) vet and - after six weeks - pair them with a sow each.

 

[KingBoris&HisFollowers]

Your boars are coming up to the hormonal phase, where they both want to prove that they are the biggest and most macho boy ever, so they will need a lot of space over the next few months. I would wait for the time being and see how they get on until they are fully grown adults at about 12-15 months.

You can keep pairs of boars withoout problems in the same room; but they may fight if they have to share the run all at once, and you may end up with several single boars.

If you want females, you have to keep them separate at all times (even on the lawn!), as the smell of females can turn boys into bitter rivals. In the wild, is one male that lives with the females at the centre of the group, while the bachelors are hanging around the outside, waiting for their chance.

If your boys do have a fall-out, you can either pair each with a young boy or have them neutered by an experienced (!) vet and - after six weeks - pair them with a sow each.

i agree x

 

[MemberY]

I had 3 pairs of boars and one older single boar (in seperate c&c cages) and had no intention of getting any sows BUT my neighbours daughter got "bored" with her 2 sows after only 6 months so I took them on, albeit a bit reluctantly. Yes it caused loads of problems as no matter how you try, the smell of sows transfers somehow-on hands, clothes etc..all my boars squabbled with eachother except for 2 who just weren't bothered

One pair actually fought but I managed to bath them and rebond them. We bulit a seperate c&c on TOP of the boars existing cages last year and since then. no problems. They know they are there but have got used to them and they can't see them nor do they share any grounds outside, it is completely seperate.

So, hopefully you can see that there would be hassle with sows. You could rehome 2 bonded boars to live seperately, this would cause a bit of rumbling and excess scenting for a few days but should settle down.

 

[ScarletSox]

Makes Sense

Thanks so much for your advice.

So just to clarify.. Sows.. not a good idea....rolleyes But another pair of boys in the same room but not sharing floor time is ok?/

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks so much for your advice.

So just to clarify.. Sows.. not a good idea....rolleyes But another pair of boys in the same room but not sharing floor time is ok?/

Exactly! But I would still wait, in case your pair of boys has a fall-out when they go through puberty and you suddenly end up with three pairs (of course, unless you ant to take the risk!)

Please consider rescue guinea pigs for rehoming. There are loads of lovely boys in need of a loving home!

 

[MemberY]

Thanks so much for your advice.

So just to clarify.. Sows.. not a good idea....rolleyes But another pair of boys in the same room but not sharing floor time is ok?/

It should be fine! Like I said, your existing pair may get a bit rumbly etc, but no panic, they do settle after a few days and yes, seperate floor time/runs etc For such small creatures, they sure can be complicated |)

P.S There are no guarantees with boars, a bonded pair can fall out at any time....with no warning :...

 

[boureki]

Yep, should be fine for another set of boars - as long as they are not in the other pair's faces or right next to them so they can see each other, then they can fall out winding each other up! Definately would avoid run-time all together as well as you don't want to end up with a load of single pigs!

 

[KingBoris&HisFollowers]

well put it this way i had Boris and since then i have aquired
3 more pairs of boars in a just a few months i have various ages
Boris-10 months old
i got Smokey and Bandit at the same time who are now 5-6 months old
not long after, i got basil at 6-8 weeks who is now 3-4 months old then i got Ralph S to befriend him and ralph was 5 weeks old
i have very recently gotten Baker and Zanzi,Baker is 8 months and zanzi is 5 months.

so as you can see i have very different ages and not a whole lot of waiting inbetween,i haven't had any upsets so far with any of them,maybe I'm just lucky but if you are confident they will be ok and you are prepared for any fall outs then there shouldnt be a problem with getting a pair of boars now x