4 boars

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Leilacups53

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Hi, I have four boars that started out as two pairs but all had to be seperated 6-8 months down the line due to fighting. What is my best option for them? They're all close to each other and can see one another but I feel like they constantly want to get to each other through their hutches and runs. Would finding four spayed girls (one for each of them) help this situation, is that something I'd even be able to do or find them Already spayed. Would it be best to neuter my Boys and introduce a baby girl? Wondering if anyone's been in a similar situation and what they did?
 
I’m sorry that your pairs both fell out. I think you have four options. First is to try and pair them differently. Second is to neuter them and find them a suitable friend each - a rescue would be the way to go as getting a baby isn’t a 100% guarantee they’ll get on. Third is to leave them as they are with interaction through the bars. Fourth is finding them a boar friend each. Depending how old they are, this can be somewhat tricky. And rescues may not do it.

The chances of finding spayed sows is very slim so you’re better looking at having them neutered. How old are they?
 
:agr:

Neutering all four boys and finding a sow each for them (if they cannot be rebonded in different pairs) is the best option.
The chances of you finding even one spayed sow in a rescue is very low, so you will never find four. As spaying is a major surgery, it’s generally only done when there is a medical need to do so.

If you neuter them, they will need to be kept away from a sow for six weeks after surgery as they will still be fertile before this time.
Please do get your name on rescue centre waiting lists as this is the safest way to introduce two piggies to each other. A bond comes down to character compatibility so being able to date your boys at a rescue to find their own new friend means you stand a better chance of finding a good compatible bond.
 
I would look for a vet with proven experience of boar neutering and arrange with a good rescue to pair them up with a little lady friend if you can. Have a look on our Recommended Vet list in the guides above
 
I’m so sorry that your boars all fell out 😞 If you have the space and finances to house 8 guinea pigs (each boar / sow pair needs a minimum space of 120cm by 60cm although we recommend 140cm by 60cm or bigger), I would find a good vet and have your boys neutered and then ask a good rescue to pair them up with a sow friend each. You will have to wait 6 weeks post op to bond your boys though as they remain fertile for up to 6 weeks post op. How old are your boys? Here is our vet and rescue locator Vet Locator Rescue Locator
 
Claire W said:
I’m so sorry that your boars all fell out 😞 If you have the space and finances to house 8 guinea pigs (each boar / sow pair needs a minimum space of 120cm by 60cm although we recommend 140cm by 60cm or bigger), I would find a good vet and have your boys neutered and then ask a good rescue to pair them up with a sow friend each. You will have to wait 6 weeks post op to bond your boys though as they remain fertile for up to 6 weeks post op. How old are your boys? Here is our vet and rescue locator Vet Locator Rescue Locator
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ONE is 2.5 years rescue. Two are about a year Old and the other approx 7 months. I currently have 3 2m x1m runs on grass and two 5 foot double hutches that I have had to split into seperate 1 up 1 down living spaces now they can't be together. I will need to buy another run now the last pair have had to be seperated ready for the warmer months that's not a problem I'd love to have some more really but I am concerned for the operations and having to travel quite far to the closest recommended vet.
 
Leilacups53 said:
ONE is 2.5 years rescue. Two are about a year Old and the other approx 7 months. I currently have 3 2m x1m runs on grass and two 5 foot double hutches that I have had to split into seperate 1 up 1 down living spaces now they can't be together. I will need to buy another run now the last pair have had to be seperated ready for the warmer months that's not a problem I'd love to have some more really but I am concerned for the operations and having to travel quite far to the closest recommended vet.
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Apart from the 2.5 year old, I wouldn’t try bonding your boars with other boars as they are smack bang in the middle of their teenage and most hormonal stage (which is 4-14 months of age). Neutering operations are usually relatively straight forward especially the younger they are and with an experienced vet. Spaying a sow is a much riskier operation that should only be done for medical reasons so sadly, finding a spayed sow in rescue is like looking for a needle in a hay stack

You could phone round vets in your local area and ask how experienced they are with guinea pig neutering?
 
Hi!

Three of your boys are currently right in the thick of teenage when their testosterone levels are at an all-time high - it is the classic age for fall-outs. And the most difficult age for re-bonding. :(

Unfortunately, spayed sows are about as rare as gold in this country; there are none in rescue. Sows in this country are generally spayed for medical reasons (ovarian cysts or womb problems) by their owners and are mostly middle-aged or older. Any rare spayed in rescue is snapped up as soon as they become available for adoption - but that doesn't even happen every year.

Please take the time read these very helpful and practical information links below. They contain all the in-depth advice that we cannot pack into just a single post to help you understand what is behind our advice, what your options are, what neutering involves and how rescue dating works.
Your closest dating rescue is Hazelcroft in St Albans, which I can recommend warmly - but you will have to see whether your hutches will pass muster in terms of size and security re. weather extremes. Healthlands in Royston or Wood Green may also be within your reach and worth contacting.

You could consider dating your adult boy with another laid-back adult boar (which makes for a much more stable bond provided they like each other and are character compatible) but they would have to live away from any sow pheromones.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-forum-recommended-rescues.196734/
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)

The RSPCA Northwest London/Middlesex branch often have guinea pigs but they don't offer bonding and they will not pair up piggies of theirs with unneutered boars as part of their RSPCA wide strict rules for all species.
I hope that this will help you?
 
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