Adding Another Guin

[Kate187]

I would like another guin to add to my existing pair of girls. They are just over 2 years old and have always been together. I have heard it is easier to bond a very young sow to existing guins, is that right?

It feels like my options are to add:

1. Neutered boar
2. Baby sow
3. Pair of sows
4. Boar/sow pair.

Number 1 is my preference but it's hard to find one! Could people give me their opinions of each of the options, and about how easy it might be (I know it depends on personality) to bond them?

 

[Wiebke]

I would like another guin to add to my existing pair of girls. They are just over 2 years old and have always been together. I have heard it is easier to bond a very young sow to existing guins, is that right?

It feels like my options are to add:

1. Neutered boar
2. Baby sow
3. Pair of sows
4. Boar/sow pair.

Number 1 is my preference but it's hard to find one! Could people give me their opinions of each of the options, and about how easy it might be (I know it depends on personality) to bond them?

A neutered boar or two bonded younger sows are the best way forward. Ideally you date your pair at a rescue, so intitial acceptance has happened before you bring any new piggy/piggies home. Keep an open mind for the various options and let your piggies decide who they are happiest with!

The West Midlands are generally a good area for adopting neutered boars while sows tend to be snapped up rather quickly. all three good standard rescues in our area often have got neutered boars, and all offer rescue dating. It is advisable to ring round and ask all rescues within your reach whether they have got suitable piggies for adoption, as they often have got more in the pipeline than are advertised. I have adopted from all of them over the years and can recommend them personally. You are in safe hands with any of them and don't have to worry about potential pregnancies or health issues. You also have the rescue to fall back on if there are problems during the life of one of their adopted piggies.
Walsall/Birmingham: Walsall Branch - Home - rspca.org.uk
Leicester: HONEYBUNNIES - RABBIT & GUINEA PIG RESCUE | Facebook
Stoke-on-Trent: The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue | Facebook

 

[Kate187]

Would 2 young/baby girls work?

 

[Swissgreys]

It really depends a lot on the individual personalities.
I recently added a baby sow to my 3 older piggies (2 sows and a neutered boar) and it wasn't smooth sailing.
We did get there in the end and things have now settled down, but it took a while, and was quite nerve wracking at the time.

If at all possible you would be best to use the services of a local rescue to help with the bonding phase.
Also, how big is the cage you have?
I only ask because for four guinea pigs you really need quite a good sized cage so everyone has their own space.

 

[Kate187]

At the moment it's 2x4 (c and c) but was thinking of extending. Would 4x2 be ok for my 2 girls and a boar, at least at first?

Also I'm still not 100% that I will go for it, just considering all options!

 

[Swissgreys]

For three guinea pig you would ideally need a 5 x 2 C&C.
And for four guinea pigs even more space.

Obviously the bigger the cage the better, and trying to have too many piggies in a space that is too small is more likely to create problems with them living together happily. It is easier to increase the size of your C&C from the start rather then risk a failed bonding because of lack of space, and then having to create another new cage for the rejected piggie.
I am convinced that one of the main reasons my four were able to finally bond was because they are in a large cage and had lots of space to be on their own while they worked out the group dynamic.

There is a fantastic illustrated cage size guide here;
Cage Size Guide

 

[Wiebke]

At the moment it's 2x4 (c and c) but was thinking of extending. Would 4x2 be ok for my 2 girls and a boar, at least at first?

Also I'm still not 100% that I will go for it, just considering all options!

A 2x4 C&C is the minimum recommended size for three guinea pigs, but if you want babies, you will want more space!
Cage Size Guide

 

[Kate187]

Thanks for all the advice. Thiss might sound like a stupid question but would a 4x3 cage work rather than a 5x2?

How do things usually go addding a very young sow to an existing pair of sows? If getting 2 new sows, would younger or older be better?

 

[Swissgreys]

Thanks for all the advice. Thiss might sound like a stupid question but would a 4x3 cage work rather than a 5x2?

How do things usually go addding a very young sow to an existing pair of sows? If getting 2 new sows, would younger or older be better?

Not stupid at all - yes a 4x3 would be fine - it's all about the overall floor space, and whilst length is important, as long as they have lots of open space for running around then a wider cage is ok too.
That is the beauty of C&C - you can fit it into the space you have available - ours is in an L shape.

 

[Kate187]

Thanks.

Also don't know if it's relevant to mention that although they've been together years, my girls aren't best buds. Prim is more dominant and basically doesn't want much to do with Katniss. She chooses to sleep alone and poor Katniss spends her time chasing Prim around trying to make friends. So it'dd be more to get a friend for her than anything.