Temporary housing solution...

[DenisAndGordon]

Hello!

I'm going away on holiday shortly, and a friend will be minding my two male pigs. Currently, they are in two Ferplast 120 cages that are joined together with cable ties to enable them to move between the two cages. I did this because of squabbling soon after introducing the younger of the two - nothing major; chattering, chasing and the odd fight (no blood) - but felt that more space would help calm things down. So far it's been successful; there's some chasing and chattering (very) occasionally and they don't sleep in the same hideaway, but mostly they get on reasonably well.

However, it now means that my kitchen floor comprises mostly of cages and when it comes to going away transporting 2 cages plus food and bedding will be a complete nightmare!

My question is, essentially, would putting them into one cage (albeit on a temporary basis) lead to a flare up of past disputes? I don't particularly want my guinea pig-sitting friend to have to deal will a reignited conflict (although she has pigs of her own, so knows the lay of the land) but if it's possible to reduce their living space without a war, then that would be preferable.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

James

 

[Piggies&buns]

There wouldn’t really be anyway of knowing other than trying and seeing what happens. They may be absolutely fine with it. A 120 ferplast isn’t really big enough for two boars (as you’ve found), couple that with a change in location and it could spark squabbles. You can minimise that by making sure all the bedding remains unchanged so they have familiar smells around them etc. Would your friend have the ability to extend the cage if there were problems? Ie if her pigs are kept in a c&c for example, might she have spare grids to offer yours more space if needed?
You say she has pigs of her own. Would your pigs be kept in the same room as hers? That might be another concern ie if her pigs are female, then yours boys being in the same room with them would cause problems with your boys, couple that with the reduction in their space - it could be the perfect storm. just throwing that out there as another consideration, You wouldn’t want to cause other issues unintentionally!

 

[DenisAndGordon]

There wouldn’t really be anyway of knowing other than trying and seeing what happens. They may be absolutely fine with it. A 120 ferplast isn’t really big enough for two boars (as you’ve found), couple that with a change in location and it could spark squabbles. You can minimise that by making sure all the bedding remains unchanged so they have familiar smells around them etc. Would your friend have the ability to extend the cage if there were problems? Ie if her pigs are kept in a c&c for example, might she have spare grids to offer yours more space if needed?
You say she has pigs of her own. Would your pigs be kept in the same room as hers? That might be another concern ie if her pigs are female, then yours boys being in the same room with them would cause problems with your boys, couple that with the reduction in their space - it could be the perfect storm. just throwing that out there as another consideration, You wouldn’t want to cause other issues unintentionally!

Many thanks - much appreciated. I suppose I will try and see what happens; can always go back to two cages and manage the inconvenience!

My friend has two boars, so no issues there. We mind one another's pigs semi-regularly and it's not caused problems before. Unfortunately we wouldn't have the capacity to extend the cages once I've taken them through to hers, so will try and sort as best I can in advance.

Thanks once again.

 

[Lady Kelly]

You could always look at a last minute purchase of a playpen as temporary accommodation while you are away if it would give you more space than the 120cm cage. I've used a flexible but plastic sided paddling pool for bonding groups previously that gets rolled up and stuck in the loft when not in use. I know others have used fabric puppy play pens or ball pits as temporary solutions

 

[DenisAndGordon]

You could always look at a last minute purchase of a playpen as temporary accommodation while you are away if it would give you more space than the 120cm cage. I've used a flexible but plastic sided paddling pool for bonding groups previously that gets rolled up and stuck in the loft when not in use. I know others have used fabric puppy play pens or ball pits as temporary solutions

Thanks, I have a playpen that I use in the yard - which is bigger than the cages when fully extended and MUCH easier to transport. With a decent base that could be the best option!

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thanks, I have a playpen that I use in the yard - which is bigger than the cages when fully extended and MUCH easier to transport. With a decent base that could be the best option!

You can use puppy pads or towels/newspaper on top of something like a shower curtain or piece of lino so that it has a waterproof bottom. What bedding do you use currently, a lot of members use fleece over puppy pads or towels. I tried it once and didn't get on with it but if it's only a make do while you're on holiday it could work