Advice about pairing piggies

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ChelleJM

ChelleJM

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Hi there

Not posted for a while...sorry!
I really need some advice please.
We had 2 boar brothers housed together in one c&c cage and 2 girl unrelated piggies together in another.
Unfortunately we lost one of the girls and one of the boys within a couple of days of each other :(
No idea why really, seemed fine at bedtime and the next day they were dead :(
They were only 2years old so not really old.

So now we have one girl on her own and one boy on his own.
Do we keep them separate? Will they be lonely?
Shall we get the boar castrated so they can live together?

If we get Morris castrated will the bonding be successful? I'd hate for him to be operated on for no reason!
Also as piggies are quite small is the op risky?


Any advice will be great xx
 
So sorry for your loss 8...
Do you know what they died of? The other 2 might also be at risk...

Many people neuter their boars, and they are all right afterwards, but it is a risky operation. You need to decide if that is what you want.

As for the pairing - the most stable pairings will be with a boy and a girl, so you should have the best chance of them being friends.

Please remember to keep him away from your girl for 6 weeks after the operation, as he will still be fertile in that period.

Best of luck! :))
 
You could get him neutered but you would have to keep them seperate for a furthur 6 weeks and obviously there can be the risks of having them neutered - complications under the GA or complications after the process. I would never personally have any of my guinea pigs neutered (unless for health purposes) as I couldn't live with myself if something happened - buts that my own view.
 
Ideally they should have another pig or pigs for company & having a boar & sow next to one another, depending on the boar, could be extremely frustrating for him.

If you have a good vet who has done guinea pig neuters before the risk is lessened but there is a risk as with all ops. If your vet hasn't done many neuters don't use them, ask a local rescue if they neuter their boars & which vet they use.
More often than not a boar/sow(s) bonding works well but there are no guarantees.
 
Thanks for the replies
Hmm not sure what to do. They seem sad...if this is possible?!
I'm really worried about having the op done and losing Morris but feel so bad fir thembeing on their own after previously having company :(

Does anyone keep piggies on their own? Xx
 
I have in the past with a boar who didnt like other boars and I dont neuter them and he was perfectly happy and lived like this for over 3 years. He was the most tamest pig id ever had and this was partly because I gave him a bit more attention as he was alone (but he loved it) he was a real mummys boy but hated guinea pigs
 
I wouldn't keep him on his own, or your sow as they haven't chosen to be alone. Its unfortunate both there friends have died but I wouldn't deprive them of a new friend.

I have had a single sow I tried her with my 2 girls, and a neutered boar and she attacked them all, I ended up having her side by side my neutered boar and sow pairing.

What about some boar dating contact your local rescue and take both your boy and sow along to pick new friends of the same sex :).
 
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I had a single male who was being picked on so I had him neutered, afterward I took him piggy dating and he chose a lovely girl for himself and it has been the most successful partnership of all my piggies. I was worried about the operation but I figured that if he made it he would live a very happy life without fights and if he didn't it saved him from a life of solitude.

Whatever you decide I hope it works out well. x
 
I adopted a boar from a rescue and had him neutered to go in with my two girls, he was perfectly fine, it helped my decision that I had him neutered by the vet the resuce used so they had done many.

The three of them are so happy, there used to be the occasional friction between the girls but since having their "man" in with them they are all much more settled and stable.

it is a huge decision to make, we all worry about any vet care they need but it is something I would do again if the boar was healthy and not too old
 
Ive got a 4yr old boar on his own at the moment, I consider him to be too old to castrate now. He has loads of floor time on his own. The girls give him kisses through the bars and hes happy a larry. Eats/drinks well, popcorns, chatters away to himself.

A castrated boar and sow are the most stable pair to have together, so i wouldnt see a problem with bonding the two. And hes not too old to neuter either. Have you thought about getting a younger boar for the boy? and a little sow for your girl. Either way, its your choice.

Sorry I'm not a huge amount of help.

x.
 
Abi_nurse said:
Ive got a 4yr old boar on his own at the moment, I consider him to be too old to castrate now. He has loads of floor time on his own. The girls give him kisses through the bars and hes happy a larry. Eats/drinks well, popcorns, chatters away to himself.

A castrated boar and sow are the most stable pair to have together, so i wouldnt see a problem with bonding the two. And hes not too old to neuter either. Have you thought about getting a younger boar for the boy? and a little sow for your girl. Either way, its your choice.

Sorry I'm not a huge amount of help.

x.
Click to expand...
We had thought about getting more piggies. Not too concerned about pairing girls have done this successfully a few times now Its just the boys.
Will an unneutered boar pick on a baby boar?
To be honest I've only kept boars together once Morris our current boar and his brother who sadly passed away. Before this I've only ever kept pairs of girls :)
 
We have paired a baby with an older boar on several occasions, all have been succesful - might have just been lucky, but I was told as long as baby was 4-6 weeks old, should work out ok. So far that's been our experience, have just got Truffles at 4 and a half weeks as new companion for Rolo who sadly lost his brother, Rolo dotes on him, at the moment.
 
Thanks :)
That sounds promising then. I am very concerned about getting Morris neutered but on the otherhand d
 
Thanks :)
That sounds promising then. I am very concerned about getting Morris neutered but on the otherhand dOnt want them to be lonely. Maybe 2 babies are the way to go? We have 2 5X2 c&c cages so definitely have space for more piggies ;)

^Oops posted before I'd finished!
 
Very true :)
Think 5x2 c&c is actually suitable for 3 piggies?
So in theory I could get 4 more ;) better not tell hubby...
If I get similar looking ones he might not even notice :D
 
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