Too Good To Be True?

[Lyss]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum but not new to guinea pigs. I've had pairs of boars in the past but right now I'm working on introducing a third boar to my existing pair. I know it rarely works out but my new guy was abandoned by his previous owner and I couldn't just leave him.

My oldest boar is around 5 and my younger one is almost 2. The new guy was estimated around 12 months. My oldest is incredibly calm, has absolutely no interest in being dominate, just wants some scritches and a lap to lay on. I wasn't worried about him. My younger one is a different story.

I did introductions for around 2 hours in neutral territory. They showed normal dominance behaviors (mounting, chattering, rumblestrutting) for a while and then laid down and seemed indifferent towards each other.

Moving ahead, I cleaned the cage out and made sure nothing smelled like the original boars and placed them all in it. For a bit they chattered and there was a bit of chasing but nothing that raised any red flags. I just fed them and they're all either nibbling away or laying down. Aside from normal pig noises, they haven't made a peep in about an hour.

I'm worried it's working out too well. I want to go to bed because I have work in the morning but I have a fear that its all going to go downhill when I fall asleep/am at work. Is this a valid fear? I don't want to separate them and ruin any progress but I also want everyone to be safe.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I had the exact same fear when bonding my two boys- it's always better (though not neccessary) to bond on a weekend or a time where you'll be there again to see what goes on if that's possible.

It sounds like it is going well and as you'e said your eldest likely won't be too bothered about the new arrival. Yes, there is still a chance it won't work and it seems you're already aware that there was a risk of a trio not working -yet in some cases it dies. It really depends on the piggies characteristics.

Do you have instagram? There's an account called: Titreno pigs (or along those lines- stunning piggies) that originally had a pair of 2 year old boys- Tito and Reno. Sadly Reno passed away so she bought two baby teddy boars to bond with Tito -and so far it's working out.

 

[Merab]

I do hope it works out for you and the boys

 

[Reenie]

My trio have always been together, and I'm always on the look out for spats, but so far they're doing just fine. I think the fact they have a good big cage helps 5x3 C&C with a loft. I hope you're lucky and your trio works too.