Space v herd number

jopop

jopop

Junior Guinea Pig
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Assuming bondings go well and everyone finds their place..... how many sows could live HAPPILY in a 6ft X 5.5ft space (32 sq ft).
 
A cage size guide says 10 but my personal opinion would be not to do that. I personally would rather have a larger space and fewer pigs, perhaps five pigs in that size space. My two boars have approx 30 square feet (boars do need more room per piggy though) and while you can’t add more to a boar pair anyway, but watching my boys within their large space is so fulfilling, lots of space for zoomies and popcorning etc.
 
Piggies&buns said:
A cage size guide says 10 but my personal opinion would be not to do that. I personally would rather have a larger space and fewer pigs, perhaps five pigs in that size space. My two boars have approx 30 square feet (boars do need more room per piggy though) and while you can’t add more to a boar pair anyway, but watching my boys within their large space is so fulfilling, lots of space for zoomies and popcorning etc.
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Ah right I was thinking 4 so that's quite doable then. Thank you
 
I think a better approach that trying to fill the cage with piggies, is to consider how many you currently have, or may add in the near future, and how well they get on- then building a cage to suit the piggies involved. We have 6 in an approximately 26sqft cage. They all are very well bonded and often are all hanging out in the same 6sqft of the cage together. If they didnt get on (or if one of our girls is having a strong season!) or if there was ever a big falling out, then that may not be enough space!
 
PigglePuggle said:
I think a better approach that trying to fill the cage with piggies, is to consider how many you currently have, or may add in the near future, and how well they get on- then building a cage to suit the piggies involved. We have 6 in an approximately 26sqft cage. They all are very well bonded and often are all hanging out in the same 6sqft of the cage together. If they didnt get on (or if one of our girls is having a strong season!) or if there was ever a big falling out, then that may not be enough space!
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We have two bonded sows currently. I'm not on the look out so to speak for more but I thought if I come across any girls who may need rescuing I could perhaps offer a space to some in need. Just doing my homework first.
 
Its good to plan ahead, we started off with 2 girls and just planned to add a neutered husboar... but during his 6 week post-op wait we accidentally adopted a pair of older ladies too, its very hard to resist if you see sad unwanted piggies being given away close by! But please do know your limits, we planned on having 3, we now have 8 split between 2 cages... that's my limit for permanent residents, sad as it is sometimes to see unwanted piggies you could give a home to... you have to be realistic about how many you can manage day to day and afford their vet bills x
 
This is partly the reason I chose to have boars - the temptation to add is removed!
That said, when I get my new larger shed, I will have the ability to internally divide it into two totally separate spaces, thereby bringing the ability to have a group of sows.....it’s dangerous territory given piggies are like Pringles....
 
jopop said:
Thank you so much for your advice. This is all very true yes. I can see how it could spiral? :hmm:
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Piggies can be a bit addictive :) but please always have a plan B in case they dont bond! Our 7th piggy was a lonely baby skinny pig who we thought would fit right in with the others... so after a 5 minute introduction and a huge fight with lots of blood and bite wounds that led to an abscess and enormous emergency vet bills... Tallulah needed her own cage and a new friend in a different room. So 8 pigs 2 cages :) even with the best intentions and a huge cage and following all the bonding guides, you cant guarantee any newbies will appreciate your efforts to give them a new piggy family!
 
Piggies&buns said:
This is partly the reason I chose to have boars - the temptation to add is removed!

That's what I thought! 2 nice little boars that we could just fit into the living room in a reasonable sized cage somehow turned into 6 living in 3 pairs!

Beware @jopop piggies are definitely addictive. Well done for doing your homework first. I look forward to seeing pictures of your herd.
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