I have 2 Boars. I'm just wondering for future reference if ill be able to get more guineas to build up a herd?
I'm concerned that if i get females the boars would fight for superiority and if i get a male well that they might not get along ?
Hi! Sadly, with two boars you cannot start a herd. They are best in couples. I would also recommend to wait until your boys are past the teenage hormones between 4-14 months old and you know whether they get on with each other as adults before you get more guinea pigs, especially if you are short on space. You may need any extra space to cope in case you run into trouble during that stage when boars suddenly stop being cute, endearing little babies and develop their adult boar identities.
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
As to a herd with sows:
a) Any boars that come in direct contact with sows will have to be neutered with a full 6 weeks post-op wait, or you risk having babies - lots of them that happily start making their own babies either with their parents or siblings far sooner than you can imagine. Guinea pigs are breeding machines; they compensate for having the longest pregnancies with most developed babies by being nonstop breeding machines as soon as they are weaned; boars start from 3-5 weeks old, sows have their first season between 4-6 weeks. Sows come into season again within hours of giving birth. They basically do this until they die from birthing complications or their bodies wear out.
Only one mistake with sexing babies, and you have a BIG mess on your hands - we have seen this all too often. Several of my own guinea pigs are the result of uncontrolled multiplying several generations in and from places that were basically overrun with guinea pigs in increasingly bad state. If you have a bad gene in the original parents, but the third and fourth generation, pretty much all babies carry it and will suffer from it.
Guinea Pig Facts - A Short Overview
b) The rule is one boar per herd of sows, or you end up with fights. The very few exceptions are just that - exceptions that you cannot count on happening to you, especially not in a cramped space. I have seen the kind of damage this does to the piggies both physically, but more insidiously mentally. My Carwyn has got a disfigured lip and the piggies are all very nervous and on edge for their whole lives because of the constant stress; it also transmits to many babies.
Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?
You have the option if your boars fall out to consider neutering (provided you have got access to a good vet that is experienced with rodent operations) so they can live with a sow each after the safety wait.
You are not the first and won't be the last owner who loves their piggies, is happy with them and would like to extent. Good on you for asking first!
