Adding boar to female herd

[Gracecb]

I have been offered a neutered male guinea pig (age 1.5) to add to my herd of 4 female guinea pigs ( age 1, 2, 3 and 6). I have to get back to the person offering him to me by Monday. He got 2 neutered males off the DSPCA but one recently died and the other is now on his own. We have a large C&C cage (big enough for 8 guinea pigs) so space isn’t a problem. My concern is one of our guinea pigs (The 3 year old) is very dominant and I am worried she wouldn’t get on with the new male. But on the other hand, we got the two younger guinea pigs as a pair and she gets on well with both of them - even the former dominant one of the two. Also I am a bit worried because I herd males are bit smellier. Does anyone know if that’s true? Also if any one has any extra info/ pros and cons of having a herd with a neutered male and several females feel free to let me know.
Many Thanks

 

[Siikibam]

I don’t know much about mixing sows with a boar. The important thing in this relationship is that he has to be accepted by the sows - the top pig in particular I think. But you can’t know until you try whether he’ll get on with them.

If you decide to go ahead then you will need to have a Plan b in case they don’t all get on - you could split the herd and put him with one/two he gets on with. I think you’ll also possibly have to quarantine him. Once those two weeks are over you could have him live next door to the sows before you introduce.

I’ll tag those who know more. @PigglePuggle @Wiebke @Piggies&buns
Meanwhile please have a read of the link below.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

ps please can you add your location to your profile - state/county or country. We have members from all over and it makes it easier to tailor information to you

 

[Wiebke]

I have been offered a neutered male guinea pig (age 1.5) to add to my herd of 4 female guinea pigs ( age 1, 2, 3 and 6). I have to get back to the person offering him to me by Monday. He got 2 neutered males off the DSPCA but one recently died and the other is now on his own. We have a large C&C cage (big enough for 8 guinea pigs) so space isn’t a problem. My concern is one of our guinea pigs (The 3 year old) is very dominant and I am worried she wouldn’t get on with the new male. But on the other hand, we got the two younger guinea pigs as a pair and she gets on well with both of them - even the former dominant one of the two. Also I am a bit worried because I herd males are bit smellier. Does anyone know if that’s true? Also if any one has any extra info/ pros and cons of having a herd with a neutered male and several females feel free to let me know.
Many Thanks

Hi!

Please be aware and make aware the owner of the boar that normally any adopted piggy reverts automatically to the rescue if they can't or won't keep their adoptee any longer; it's usually in the adoption papers. The DSPCA will need to be made aware of any change in ownership and will have to home check and pass any new home. I strongly assume that the Irish/Dublin rules follow the same lines as those of the RSPCA, seeing that they have switched to rehoming only neutered boars, the same as the RSPCA are doing in England and Wales and that the welfare guidelines are also about the same.
Cage Size Guide

Whenever you take on a piggy on spec, you need to have a plan B or speak to the DSPCA about what happens if the planned bonding doesn't work out. Any group bonding stands and falls with initial acceptance, which is by no means a given. You will either have to split your sows to have at least one or two that like the boar to live with him in a separate cage or have him revert to the DSPCA.

Sorry if I am raining on your parade a bit but you could inadvertedly end in hot water, and so can the owner of the boar.
However, the DSCPA could be a place to look for another boar if things don't go as planned.

Since we are UK based with members and enquiries literally from all over the world, you could help us to tailor any advice to what is relevant where you are straight away if you put Dublin or Ireland in location in your account details (accessed by clicking on your username on the top bar) to make it appear with every post you make. Especially rescue and vet access/medical brand names as well as climate can vary quite a bit; it saves both sides time if we can adjust any recommendations without causing confusing or needing clarification. Thank you!