Two baby brother guinea pigs together

Piggies&buns said:
To my knowledge, being neutered can possibly help a bit, but neutered boars can still suffer from impaction so it won’t entirely take away the risk.

Please don’t overthink the fighting though, they have just as much chance of getting on very well for their entire lives!
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Thanks for all your replies so far Piggies and buns! It's so tough, cos I just want it to go well and I am also worried about when I go on a holiday, and if I leave it at a friend's place, I don't want them to start killing each other or sth... You know what, I will just get the piggies first and see how I feel. I will post a little update here.
 
gpshirplanet said:
Thanks for all your replies so far Piggies and buns! It's so tough, cos I just want it to go well and I am also worried about when I go on a holiday, and if I leave it at a friend's place, I don't want them to start killing each other or sth... You know what, I will just get the piggies first and see how I feel. I will post a little update here.
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Yes of course you want it go well, it’s great that you are looking into options before you get your piggies. But you cannot control their behaviour or their relationship. It is all down to them and other then giving them a large cage, you can’t make them get on - it doesn’t matter whether they are neutered, the same age etc, it’s entirely down to them . The chances are, it will be absolutely fine, so don’t worry but just enjoy having them!

Regarding going on holiday, Whenever you make a change to their environment then it can set off a little territory disputes but if you take their normal cage, with the normal bedding and items, then it should be absolutely fine.
 
I think you're making the right decision. the stress and risk (not to mention the cost) of an operation is never desirable and plenty of people have happy sweet un-neutered boar couples without any issues.
 
It’s good you’re thinking about things before you go ahead. But be careful not to overthink it either. I would go with the young boys. Boar pairs have a bit of a notorious reputation which isn’t entirely fair.

Go get your piggies and PLEASE post some photos when they’re home. We can’t wait to meet them 😁
 
Alternatively, just to throw this into the round, have you considered adopting an already stably bonded pair of guinea pigs from a decent rescue? There are rescues in Germany, too. This will neatly bypass all your concerns, and you can also be reassured that any adopted guinea pigs are quarantined and healthy.
Keep in mind that babies are babies only for a few short weeks, teenagers for about 10 months and adult for years.
 
Wiebke makes an excellent suggestion about considering a rescue - there are several good ones in Germany who will take away the stress of bonding issues.

Having said that I have expereince of early neutered boars as this is standard practice in Switzerland.
Please be aware that the most effective in reducing testorone spikes and potential behavioural issue must occur before sexual maturaity and this is usually around 3 weeks old.
So basically if your boys will be older than 3 weeks when they are neutered it may be of questionable benefit with regards to testosterone, etc.
It could help but it isn't certain how much, as every pig develops and matures at a different rate.
 
It's interesting the differences. The German vet said they don't need to be apart for 6 weeks like they do here, because the castration was before 3 weeks?
 
gpshirplanet said:
According to the German VET, it is fine. Over here, they practice early castration. Castrating even before sexual maturity.
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Excellent. They’re very cute by the way. 🥰 I would also cover part of their cage and leave them alone for two days or so. Put the food in but don’t try hand feeding etc. Also, could you put the veg in bowls? The one piggy was eating one with shavings on it. And do they have hides and hay?
More pigtures pleeassse 😄
 
I have 2 boys they were in a great bond sadly one past away so we got a new piggie and it is a cute relationship
 
Bill & Ted said:
I have two boar brothers Bill and Ted, they get on fine 99% of the time 😆 Both sometimes show submissive and Dominant behaviours and after 5 years I still have not found out who’s boss?
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Exactly my experience. I had 2 brothers from babies and had them until they both passed last year. They were absolutely fine, nobody dominated the other, there was always a scuffle for the best bed at night and sometimes when moving from cage to run. They liked their own space & never cuddled together until one got poorly & then they did.

They were both lovely 💙💙
 
gpshirplanet said:
According to the German VET, it is fine. Over here, they practice early castration. Castrating even before sexual maturity.
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This is correct. Here all baby boys are done at 2 - 3 weeks, and popped straight back in with their mothers and sisters.
They are only separated for a few hours and that's it.
Because they haven't developed any sperm yet (and once castrated they never will) they pose no risk to females.
It is a much kinder and gentler process for baby males.
 
Swissgreys said:
This is correct. Here all baby boys are done at 2 - 3 weeks, and popped straight back in with their mothers and sisters.
They are only separated for a few hours and that's it.
Because they haven't developed any sperm yet (and once castrated they never will) they pose no risk to females.
It is a much kinder and gentler process for baby males.
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I find this fascinating. Are the testes developed enough at that stage to be...seen/differentiated? I assume so because it’s just a case of descending when they reach puberty.
 
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