Thinking about a trio

[Eva121]

Hi!

I have two sows at the moment (Igby and Petunia) and I have been wondering if I should add a third. My cage is a CC and is 3x5 ft. I have read many of the bonding posts and I understand that I needs to be done in a neutral area, and I understand the risks that they may not get along. If the possible guinea pig doesnt get along I do have space that is beside Igby and Petunia's cage. Thing is, I just want Petunia and Igby to have a new friend and maybe spice up their life? I have the money for extra supplies and hay I need to buy, but just wondering if there are any other things I should be considering? Any worries? Were you happy when you added your third guinea pig? It's late where I'm at so sorry if this is all jambled, I would love feedback!

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Having had trios and currently. I would advise against it, someone always gets left out, just like humans it can be difficult. Sometimes they work, I’ve been fortunate but I wouldn’t go disrupting an already healthy relationship and it could turn them against one another.
Ask yourself who’s is for? You or your girls - really?
Piggies are great and like a chocolate eclairs always want more!
If you have a third, just jump to having a group instead of you want them to have more activity but don’t forget that’s also based on the time and love you give them.

 

[Eva121]

Having had trios and currently. I would advise against it, someone always gets left out, just like humans it can be difficult. Sometimes they work, I’ve been fortunate but I wouldn’t go disrupting an already healthy relationship and it could turn them against one another.
Ask yourself who’s is for? You or your girls - really?
Piggies are great and like a chocolate eclairs always want more!
If you have a third, just jump to having a group instead of you want them to have more activity but don’t forget that’s also based on the time and love you give them.

Thanks for the feedback!
The thing is, I feel like the girls dont have the best relationship, which is why I was thinking about a trio. Four would be great as well but I dont have space for any cage expansion. I will definitely think about what you pointed out! The girls are still active, but I just want them to have someone else to love...and me as well hehe

 

[Wiebke]

I agree; trios are the most tricky piggy constellation overall to manage without ending up with an ousider issue of some sort.
They are great when they work but in my experience they don't work more often than they work out.

Of course the temptation to squeeze in another one is great when we are happy with the ones we have...

Here is more information which you may find helpful. It is based on our long term experiences. It can't say anything about any actual bond but it reflects overall trends and your likely chances: Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

Perhaps you might want to concentrate on making life fun for your two girls instead? Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[Eva121]

I agree; trios are the most tricky piggy constellation overall to manage without ending up with an ousider issue of some sort.
They are great when they work but in my experience they don't work more often than they work out.

Of course the temptation to squeeze in another one is great when we are happy with the ones we have...

Here is more information which you may find helpful. It is based on our long term experiences. It can't say anything about any actual bond but it reflects overall trends and your likely chances: Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

Perhaps you might want to concentrate on making life fun for your two girls instead? Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Thanks for the links, they were very helpful. I don't think I will do a trio anymore, but if I could make more space I may do a quartet instead, but I have loads of time to think about it. Thanks for the enrichment ideas as well, I already do some of them but its always nice to know more! Would a 3x5 be similar to a 2x6 or is it smaller/ the same? I'm no good at math!

 

[flowerfairy]

I did add a neutered boar to two well bonded sows and sometime later added a pair of baby sows and two other separate elderly sows. Having so many helped them to form mutiple friendships and I didnt find anyone got left out.

Back down to five now as both the elderly sows passed away.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the links, they were very helpful. I don't think I will do a trio anymore, but if I could make more space I may do a quartet instead, but I have loads of time to think about it. Thanks for the enrichment ideas as well, I already do some of them but its always nice to know more! Would a 3x5 be similar to a 2x6 or is it smaller/ the same? I'm no good at math!

12 squares can be arranged either as a 2x6 or 3x4 C&C grid cage. it is roughly the equivalent of 1 1/2 square metres.

3x5 gives you 15 squares space and is quite a bit larger if you can stretch that far! It is just short of 2 square metres ground space.

 

[Joodmoo18]

Hi!

I have two sows at the moment (Igby and Petunia) and I have been wondering if I should add a third. My cage is a CC and is 3x5 ft. I have read many of the bonding posts and I understand that I needs to be done in a neutral area, and I understand the risks that they may not get along. If the possible guinea pig doesnt get along I do have space that is beside Igby and Petunia's cage. Thing is, I just want Petunia and Igby to have a new friend and maybe spice up their life? I have the money for extra supplies and hay I need to buy, but just wondering if there are any other things I should be considering? Any worries? Were you happy when you added your third guinea pig? It's late where I'm at so sorry if this is all jambled, I would love feedback!

 

[Joodmoo18]

I have had three girl piggies together for the last 15 years or so and have introduced four new ones when the oldest one has died.
We put them on our bathroom floor and leave them to sort themselves out (we just sit and watch). It takes half an hour or so of sniffing and a bit of mild nipping before they settle down and get into their pecking order.
Last time, the middle one wasn’t much older than the baby and she kept spraying wee in her face as the baby was trying to be dominant! They settled down, though, and I now have three very happy piggies - aged 8, 3 and 2 and a half!
I wouldn’t have any other mix now.

 

[Eva121]

I have had three girl piggies together for the last 15 years or so and have introduced four new ones when the oldest one has died.
We put them on our bathroom floor and leave them to sort themselves out (we just sit and watch). It takes half an hour or so of sniffing and a bit of mild nipping before they settle down and get into their pecking order.
Last time, the middle one wasn’t much older than the baby and she kept spraying wee in her face as the baby was trying to be dominant! They settled down, though, and I now have three very happy piggies - aged 8, 3 and 2 and a half!
I wouldn’t have any other mix now.

awesome! I will definitely add new piggies in the future. All the stories I have heard are so adorable!

 

[Eva121]

12 squares can be arranged either as a 2x6 or 3x4 C&C grid cage. it is roughly the equivalent of 1 1/2 square metres.

3x5 gives you 15 squares space and is quite a bit larger if you can stretch that far! It is just short of 2 square metres ground space.

Thank you!