2,3 or 4 pigs?

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judith archer

judith archer

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In June we brought 2 guinea pigs and both were prengant and have now had their babies (biscuit had 1 boy and Speedy had 2 girls and a boy)
My query/decision is how many pigs to keep??

I cant keep the boys as I dont have the room to permanently have 2 separate cages, but I know they will be going to good homes as my local guinea pig rescue sexed the babies for me and have offered to rehome them as they have got people waiting for baby piggies.

Would 3 or 4 sows live happily together or would I be better sticking to 2?

Also, Biscuit's baby has been taken out the cage now as he was 3 weeks old and 'piggy backing' the others and although they are all getting along fine in the main cage Biscuit seems to be the outsider and is often on her own while the others are all in 1 house together so if I keep Speedy's 2 girl babies is she likely to stay the outsider?

Sorry for all the question and thank you in advance for any help :)
 
Also what size cage would 4 pigs need?
They're in a playpen at the moment but I'm thinking of trying to make a C&C.
thanks
 
You can keep all girls together; generally 2 and 4 are easier to keep than 3, as for that you need exactly the right character combination to not end with an outsider problem.

The guideline for 4 piggies is 2x6 ft. However, with a C&C cage you can go double story and provide more than ample space by providing a two story 2x4 grid cage - each floor has a decent amount of floor space.
You could even hang onto the boys if you think cage tower... ;)
 
Alternatively, (if you have the space) a 2x5 grid C&C cage is about the same size as a 2x6ft traditional cage; so you could get away with one cage. If you wish, you can add a second story for the boys - we are recommending 2x5 for boys anyway!

PS: Always keep boars above girls so they are less affected by the pheromones.
 
Would love to keep the boys but in all honesty I don't think I'd be able to afford 6 piggies or have the time to do separate floor time and cuddle time for boys and girls :(
Even now with the 1 boy baby separate its dificult giving everyone snuggles and run time etc separately so I'd prefer the boys to go to homes where they get the attention they deserve, and I know I'll be able to get updates of how they're doing :)
It's still giong to break my heart saying goodbye to them though 8... 8...

Do you think the girls will start to include Biscuit a bit more once the other boy has gone and it's just the 4 of them? She was the dominant pig till we took her boy out and now she seems a bit pushed out :... She does join in with the other at feeding time put always ends up in her own house while the other 4 are together
 
Things will change again soon. Nursing sows enjoy protected status, but that end once the babies are weaned. Right now, auntie is staying out fo the way and biding her time.

Brace yourself for some dominance shenanigans! You will also see the two girls put into their place at the bottom quite firmly by both mummy and auntie once they lose their baby status and become members of the group in their own right. It is a transition period you will have to sit out. Eventually, they will all settle down. You may experience that mum and daughter will retain a closer bond, but it will be compensated by the top girl enjoing her privileges. With four piggies, you will start to see group behaviour.

PS: I found it a very gutting experience having to let go of my own surprise babies due to a major illness in the close family at the time.
 
what's 'group behaviour'? not sure I like the sound of that :... Don't want my ladies fighting :(
On a good note though I have been measuring and pricing up a C&C cage :) We have got space for a 3 1/2 panel by 2 1/2 panel cage (it got to fit in at the side of the chimney breast hence the odd sizes) do you think 2, possibly 3, levels that size would be enough for 4 girls?
 
group behaviour is what I have in my mini herd of 4, they all get along with each other absolutely fine, no fights or spats, even when the neutered boy starts to rumblestrut about. It is lovely to see group behaviour, two can sleep while one eats and one is look out for instance, or you see two off together with the other two busy doing something, then another time the mix has changed about.

I didnt like how the girls behaved when they were a trio, I had fudge as a baby and she was picked on something rotten when she lost her baby status by the dominant sow, but mother and daughter still have a very close bond even a year later. When it was the 3 both times (even after losing flash), crystal and minty who have a very strong bond with each other would push out fudge and she was often the loner. As a quad group I see crystal and fudge together when demanding food, but for snuggles its often minty that crystal chooses, she also often spent time with flash but as yet I have not seen this close a relationship with silver (but I only saw this once they came inside for the winter), perhaps silver needs to be a little braver for her to seek out his company, I do see silver and minty - both abbeys together but he is besotted with minty.
 
That sounds ok, I thought group behaviour would be fighting etc.
Have just ordered their C&c cage and a new house to go in it (brought them quick before the other half changed his mind:(|) )
Cant wait to get building :(|)
 
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