best number of piggies?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lau200
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lau200

what is the bets number of piggies to keep (obv more than 1 ;)) i know that for both mice and gerbils most people agree 3 is the best. is it the same for piggies? obv with getting them from a rescue i will have limited amount of chioce in this area, but it would be nice to know :P
 
It depends on the sex I think, many people think it is best to keep boars in pairs, although people have been succesful with keeping them in larger groups.

http://www.barmy4boars.co.uk/ that is a helpful site :)

and I am not really sure about sows, as I have boars myself.
 
I have 1 lot of 3 brothers that I hope will remain together forever and 1 pair of boars who love each other dearly. I then have 5 sows with a neuterd boar. But after my recent mite infestation I would seriously consider the money involved if you go over 2 piggies :)
 
I have 2 boars. :) Trying to bond them is still ongoing after 2 months. I've not given up hope! ;D I just have a very grumpy, ill-natured piggie, but I know he wants company really. His bad behaviour doesn't seem to bother his cagemate, Pigpig, who seems oblivious (as he seems to really like Cobweb). Enough about me, sorry! :D

I reckon your best bet is to get a pair of bonded sisters from a rescue. Never say never, but this is probably (in my opinion) the best way to go if you can.
 
i used to only have sows before i ended up with my boars.

i had 5 sows which was a nice number to have, and they had plenty of friendship and companionship within those 5, but then i got dixie who was pregnant, ant two of her bubs were boys, that i planned to give to a good home, but id grown attatched and kept them instead lol so ive now got 5 sows and 2 boars.

i prefer sows as they dont smell, get on well and generally cuddle up more..although i love my boys too as they are more cheeky chappies, and very sociable.
 
Me personally I think 3 is the best number (or more).

If one dies, the other two have each other.

If one is feeling tired or just wants to be alone, the other one still has another piggy friend to play with.

they are alot more entertaining to watch in groups than in pairs

I am sure there are alot more reasons but those were the first ones that sprang to my mind
 
I've got 5. 3 boys 2 bonded and 1 that we are working on and 2 girls who are bonded sisters. It all depends on how much you are willing to fork out for them and how much space you have as well as how much time you have. Go with how many you can keep sensibly without putting any strain on yourself. 5 is my limit. :)

Louise
:)
 
I have a trio neutered boar and two sows but thinking of adding another sow because Hamish is always on her own and looks lonely :'(although she does love a good play in the run always the one to start it off ;D I got the Boar to sort these two sows out that did not get along very well.
I also have a bonded pair of sows but I am going to give them a neutered boar once he is big enough to have the operation ;) trios are fun but I do plan on even numbers just got to find the right Sows to have foursomes ;D
 
I have found that however many piggies you keep they seem to get on best in pairs. I have 4 sows living together and they seem to bicker quite a lot, where as the sows I keep in pairs don't. I also have a pair of bonded boys who get on very well. I once had 3 sows together and 2 of them picked on the other so I took her out and paired her with another sow. This was fine. Would a neutered boar sort out my 4 sows and if so how? Why does putting a neutered boar in change the situation?
 
Well my babies are a twosome and have been all thier lives (sows) and they are happy :) They like to popcorn together and follow each other around nose to bum at play time ;D :smitten:
 
SunshineAndTwinkle said:
I've got 5. 3 boys 2 bonded and 1 that we are working on and 2 girls who are bonded sisters. It all depends on how much you are willing to fork out for them and how much space you have as well as how much time you have. Go with how many you can keep sensibly without putting any strain on yourself. 5 is my limit. :)

Louise
:)
Click to expand...

I am confused now, is the question in this thread "how many piggies to keep in total" or "how many piggies in a group is best" ?
 
I have 2 girlies. I think thats just right for me... I wouldn't want too many because the amount of cleaning out and work involved for me personally would be too much. I also want to make sure I can spend lots of time with each of them... I suppose it depends on you and how much time you have! ;)
 
Yeah Nancy, cleaning out my 5 takes from 9am in the morning until 1pm! Although it's my own fault I keep stopping to play with them! 98) I can't help it!
 
Tis true, they should't be too cute! I'm back at college in a couple of weeks (only night school doing A Levels) so I'm going to be stretched but Peter and Emily will get them out on the nights I'm not here!

I would of course love more pigs but my budget and size of house won't allow it! :D

Louise
 
Nishka said:
I also want to make sure I can spend lots of time with each of them... I suppose it depends on you and how much time you have! ;)
Click to expand...

from that point of view having a bigger group would be BETTER, if you dont have the time to play with them alot, make sure there are plenty of piggies to play with *each other*. :)
 
I have just got another sow to go with my nuetered boar and sow. AT the moment the older sow can get very grumpy with Spike when he's rumbling and chasing her around. I am hoping though that with Baby Spike with have a younger piggy to play with and be dominant over. Buffy definately thinks she's boss so hopefully this new dynamic will work!

I think if you have 2 pigs who are the best of friends then I wouldn't interfere or worry about getting them a friend.
 
I've got three which is working well. (All sows)

Before that we had two, problem is that when Scrumple died Sevi got very lonely. So we bought her two friends! :)
 
I Had 6 sows living togther once,with no problem and i had 4 boars, which was never a problem either!lol

but i used to have alot of time for each one! lol
 
i basically know nothing about them, so i'd like to know what would be best to start me off, i can always add 5 or 10 or 20 later ;D

thank you all for your suggestions, i will keep them in mind :)
 
well i have 1 boar and i think that you should get 2. i made a mistake not getting elvis company
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top