What's your thoughts

Reenie

Reenie

Adult Guinea Pig
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I have 5 male piggies, a pair and a trio. I am having my loft converted, and the piggies will be going up there (2years I've been waiting, but it's finally happening). The loft is a good size, and I am beginning to think it might be possible to actually just have a single enclosure with all 5. Two are, I think, quite elderly, and the trio are coming up to 3 yrs old.
The reason I'm considering putting them together is twofold. Bailey, who is one of the pair, is always interacting with the trio through the bars when they're in their runs, and they seem to WANT to meet properly, and secondly, if it were possible, the move to the loft would be a completely neutral area for a bonding. I could easily do a 4x8, or even larger C&C, as space is definitely not an issue. Also... Only one cage to clean!
So I'm looking for your thoughts... Would you risk it?
 
That’s a tricky one - your situation is already unique with having a trio. It’s great that you’ve got the trio to work, and rare as you know!
As you’ll know it’s sometimes lack of space which causes boy fall outs but you wouldn’t have a space problem so from that perspective it could work but It would be a huge shame if it all went wrong and you had to do mass separations. I am not sure I would want to risk it.
Might it just be nicer to keep things as they are but make all cages larger and enjoy watching how they enjoy a new and larger space?
 
Piggies&buns said:
That’s a tricky one - your situation is already unique with having a trio. It’s great that you’ve got the trio to work, and rare as you know!
As you’ll know it’s sometimes lack of space which causes boy fall outs but you wouldn’t have a space problem so from that perspective it could work but It would be a huge shame if it all went wrong and you had to do mass separations. I am not sure I would want to risk it.
Might it just be nicer to keep things as they are but make all cages larger and enjoy watching how they enjoy a new and larger space?
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What you've said is exactly what's going through my head. It would be amazing if it worked, but heartbreaking if the current bonds were broken. I always feel that Bailey finds Bobby (his cagemate) boring, and wants to run around with the trio, who are much more active. Also the fact that the trio does work, suggests there are some uniquely tolerant personalities there. I've also posted before that Groucho (trio) is a bit of an outsider in the trio, although they all wheek like blazes if he's separated from them, so it's not just a whim, but......
 
I wouldn't want to risk the bonds you all ready have although I know how tempting this is. I have six boars in 3 pairs and 5 of them love to say hello through the bars at floor time and seem very happy to see the others. Red I suspects has fear agression and if he sees any of the other's he goes into a frenzy of teeth barring and rumble strutting. I think in your position with all that lovely space I would have two large pens to start with side by side, see how they get on for a few months and then think about it again. I'll watch your progress with interest, how I wish I had that space!
 
piggieminder said:
I wouldn't want to risk the bonds you all ready have although I know how tempting this is. I have six boars in 3 pairs and 5 of them love to say hello through the bars at floor time and seem very happy to see the others. Red I suspects has fear agression and if he sees any of the other's he goes into a frenzy of teeth barring and rumble strutting. I think in your position with all that lovely space I would have two large pens to start with side by side, see how they get on for a few months and then think about it again. I'll watch your progress with interest, how I wish I had that space!
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Thanks @piggieminder. I think you're both probably right. Still a few weeks to go, so plenty of time to consider the options. X
 
Honestly I wouldn't risk it. You could completely ruin existing bonds and end up with 5 single boars in worst case scenario.
 
I think you know your boars and if you think there’s a really good chance of them all getting along then have a go. it would be lovely, but really sad if it all went bad
 
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