A Question For Slaves With Larger Herds

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Dani G

Dani G

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Hiya..

I am putting together a herd of 6 piggies and I wondered if the 6 ladies would get on better if they had a neutered boar in with them. Has anyone got any experience or knowledge with this situation?

Also, in terms of housing we have a 4x8 Boyles shed ordered and it will be attaching it to a 6x3 dog kennel with run. I'm happy this should be enough room for 6 or 7 piggies but I am concerned that I will be forever cleaning them out and I do occasionally get a bad back, does anyone have any advice on cleaning routines for larger herd accommodations?

Thanks in advanced

Dani xx
 
Dani G said:
Hiya..

I am putting together a herd of 6 piggies and I wondered if the 6 ladies would get on better if they had a neutered boar in with them. Has anyone got any experience or knowledge with this situation?

Also, in terms of housing we have a 4x8 Boyles shed ordered and it will be attaching it to a 6x3 dog kennel with run. I'm happy this should be enough room for 6 or 7 piggies but I am concerned that I will be forever cleaning them out and I do occasionally get a bad back, does anyone have any advice on cleaning routines for larger herd accommodations?

Thanks in advanced

Dani xx
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Personally, I am a big fan of "husboars", as they soak up quite a bit of the seasonal grumpiness. Husboars often act like the glue in a group.
If possible, please date a neutered boar with your top sows at a good rescue if you have a suitable rescue within reach. Guinea pigs are wired that sows associate with a boar of their choice to form a core group in which to have and bring up their babies.

Otherwise, opt for a sub-adult submissive boar that cannot contend for leadership. Older very dominant top sows past ideal pup bearing age may not tolerate a husboar, which is why dating is always useful.
You can either start building up a group around a dominant boar with leadership quality and preferably submissive sows or those with a group background or you create a group around a dominant sow for longer term stability. All later piggies have to fit around your leader or you end up with a split at some point if dominance is in question, openly or latently. A group is a dynamic concept, so it is going to change over time, especially when you have a group for several piggy generations.

I have currently got four "husboars" living with 1-5 sows each, but my largest group, the Tribe, did comprise up to 13 sows and a specially chosen charismatic patriarch in its heyday. It's been going for 7 years, but it has seen big changes and some splits during that time, as the dynamics and the leadership have changed with older piggies passing, moving to another group or dominance disputes in the wake of a leadership change not settling down. But it is also a very fascinating experience!

Norman Gorman's Guinea Pig Sanctuary and Little Pip's Rehoming occasionally have got neutered boars in and offer dating at their rescue. They are the two rescues that we can recommend and guarantee for in your area. It is well worth waiting for the right boar to come along if you are not in a hurry.
Please always make sure that any neutered boar has had a 6 weeks post op wait. My Tegan is the unplanned daughter of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post-op boar (not one of mine), so it can really happen as late that. I have since heard of more cases.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
 
Thank you so much for your response, it is fascinating isn't it. We have two quite dominant sows who have always bickered and they look identical so it was always difficult to know who is top sow but the vet said it was ok to cut back a small patch of hair in one so we now know who is who. I'll defiantly try the rescue centres you have suggested and my gut instinct would be to try and find a dominant boar I think. 13 sows in the tribe sounds amazing! Have you any advice regarding accommodation for a larger group?
 
Dani G said:
Thank you so much for your response, it is fascinating isn't it. We have two quite dominant sows who have always bickered and they look identical so it was always difficult to know who is top sow but the vet said it was ok to cut back a small patch of hair in one so we now know who is who. I'll defiantly try the rescue centres you have suggested and my gut instinct would be to try and find a dominant boar I think. 13 sows in the tribe sounds amazing! Have you any advice regarding accommodation for a larger group?
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I use C&C grids on laminate offcuts - that allows me to adapt the cages as needed as time goes by. My first Tribe generation from 2009/2010 have now all passed away (Nerys at 8 years was the last one this year) The second generation are now 5-6 years old, but are in their old age not getting on with each other, so I have currently got several pairs and two single live alongside sows as well as three medium sized groups. It all depends on the personalities and the dynamics between them.
You may find one of my Facebook Albums helpful in Terms of ideas, please have a look yourself as I cannot Access the direct link at the Moment - you can find it when clicking on "all Albums". I use a wooden frame to create one big dormitory with a lift out mezzanine level above as well as single huts and hideys for those piggies that prefer to get away, but it is a matter of working out what works for you and your guinea pigs.
Wiebke's Tribe | Facebook

If you have already got two dominant sows, a third dominant boar may not work. Groups work best if you start with a dominant piggy and the create a submissive court around them that doesn't upset the apple cart and cause unneceaasry tensions and splits. Adding dominant piggies can cause major problems or outright fails.

If you are in Noprth Devon, you my find The Littlest Rescue in Bristol closer, but you should find the contacts via our rescue locator, too.
 
Hiya..

Thanks again for your message, I've had a good nose around your Facebook page, it's fab. You have got a lovely set up. So you have all of them indoors, how often do you need to clean them out?

We are going to have a boyles shed attached to a dog kennel outside for the 6 - 7 pig herd and we will also have an indoor C&C cage inside for 2 bores. At the moment we have hutches everywhere, I can't wait to get it all sorted with the new accommodations this month.

Dani xx
 
Hiya, I second Weibke's advice. I love having a husboar in a group and it certainly settles down any bickering amongst the girls. I have seen both my boys get involved and push between a couple of girls mid scrap and diffuse a tense situation. The only reason I don't have a husboar at the moment is that I have a very solid, bonded trio of sisters who bizarrely never bicker and are very happy. If they do or things change I won't hesitate to get a neutered boy.

Enjoy your herd, sounds like you will have a wonderful set up!
 
I have a herd of 8 girls currently. They were 9 as I also had a neutured boar with them. Unfortunately he passed away a few months ago. However I can confirm that in my case, havjng him in the group kept them a bit calmer.

They still get along well now hes gone. But it was a lot more peaceful with him around.
 
Guinea Slave said:
Hiya, I second Weibke's advice. I love having a husboar in a group and it certainly settles down any bickering amongst the girls. I have seen both my boys get involved and push between a couple of girls mid scrap and diffuse a tense situation. The only reason I don't have a husboar at the moment is that I have a very solid, bonded trio of sisters who bizarrely never bicker and are very happy. If they do or things change I won't hesitate to get a neutered boy.

Enjoy your herd, sounds like you will have a wonderful set up!
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Thank you for your reply. I think a husbour is the way to go. I have 2 females that squabble often and sleep in separate huts, one blocks the other from entering her hut but both seem to share mutual territory ok and don't block each other eating etc.. I think I will look for a husboar once the shed has been put up. Thanks again xx
 
ayemee said:
I have a herd of 8 girls currently. They were 9 as I also had a neutured boar with them. Unfortunately he passed away a few months ago. However I can confirm that in my case, havjng him in the group kept them a bit calmer.

They still get along well now hes gone. But it was a lot more peaceful with him around.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, I think a hudboar is the way to go, they could use calming down a bit! Xx
 
It does sound like the right decision.

I little funny story...I had a very old girl who was the matriarch of the herd. She wasn't bossy really, but ruled very quietly but firmly. She was small but seemed to have complete authority over my 6 strong herd and if any new pigs joined she made sure they knew she was the queen.

There was however a lot of bickering in the lower ranks which she ignored so someone advised me to get a boar. I got a lovely chap who was very gentle but again firm. He sorted out the lower ranking girls and got in between them and things calmed down a lot. The high ranking girl was not keen on him ruling the roost so she tried to boss him about, no malice but just trying to lord it over him.

One day he got very frustrated so put his nose under her belly and rolled her clean over sideways right in front of me! It was gentle but she was so shocked, she got up, shook herself off and then after that they were best of friends and shared boss duties, never bickered again. It was very cute to watch and a fascinating encounter to see.
 
What a great story, it has defiantly double confirmed to me that we need a husboar. They are such fascinating creatures aren't they.

Thank you
 
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