Boars or Sows?

[jmacka93]

I feel like I'm asking a really stupid question.
I have been leaning towards getting sows because I don't really want to risk having to separate boars, but now I don't know.
How much more work are boars? because I know that you have to make sure their 'boy bits' are clean, and I know that there is a risk of impaction when they are older, but I really can't see how it is much more work than having sows.
I originally started out wanting boars, but I've been told be people that getting sows is better. I just don't know anymore.
If anyone can give me any advice and share experiences, it would be super appreciated.

Thanks,
Jess

 

[biscandmatt]

i have one of each! they are a lovely couple. x) maybe get a neutered boar and a sow from a rescue and have the best of both |)

 

[Pepperdog]

as I say to anyone, I had girls before and have 3 girls and one neutered boy, girls are quite b.i.tchy to each other, boys tend to be more laid back and cuddly to you so it depends what you want out of your relationship.

Now of course not all sows are like this and yes boys can be rather brutish and others not, but it all comes down to the personality of the pigs you have.

If you get a pair from a rescue they will be healthy and bonded, male or female so I would suggest you find out where your nearest rescue is, here is a map to the piggy bank recommended rescues up and down the country https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0 see if you can visit them or have a chat to see what they suggest might be a match to you.

If your really lucky and willing to travel to any one of these rescues then the choice really is yours

 

[Wiebke]

The most important thing is that you "click" with your piggies; gender is secondary. Guinea pigs are great characters and you find them in both genders. If you can, meet the piggies in "pigson" as some of the biggest personalities aren't necessarily the showiest or always youngest piggies, but they will give you so much more fun!

The best way to avoid the usual pitfalls like ill, missexed, pregnant or badly matched boars is by rehoming from a reputable rescue because you not only get health checked, carefully bonded boars and sows that have been through a pregnancy, but you also get support from the rescue throughout the whole of their piggies.

You have already been given the link to our constantly updated list of recommendable guinea pig rescues. It is really worth going to that bit extra effort considering that you are minimising all the usual risks!

 

[MOC]

I've had both and frankly I much prefer my little men. I don't dislike sows but much like humans they tend to be more moody, where as boars want constant attention, more or less. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule as they all have different personalities. Although I don't find cleaning Clive's ding dong pleasant I don't see it as extra work, it needs to be done and it doesn't take long. It's usually quite obvious if there is anything there. All in all though I'd say go to a rescue and pick the pigs that you 'click' with, forget gender.

 

[Amysmom]

I have always had boys in the past so having 3 girls was new for me. I have to say compared to our two boys they are definately moody and can be quite 'pecky' towards each other sometimes, although since putting a 3rd sow with the two we already had their falling out seems to have improved.

Our two boys are incredibly laid back and never have a cross word, we've always been lucky with the bonding of two boys too

 

[Littlepig&co]

I have 2 boars and 2 sows.
I honestly cant decide which I prefer the most.

The girls are very clean and are fairly litter trained, they are not skittish at all and they loved to be stroked, they are also quite easy to pick up however one of my girls Ruby can be a bit of a pain to catch in the run. |)

The boys are fairly clean but can be a bit smelly, Mine are not as calm as the girls, with the girls you can hand feed them through the wire and open the door without getting scared, the boys can be quite easy to pick up but do run.

to be honest it takes quite a while for piggies to settle down and they need quite a bit of work.

 

[gpmomma]

I prefer MY boys. When I say MY boys, I mean the ones in my house. Al piggies are different but groups of pigs tend to be like the others in the group. My boys are fairly litter trained. The gender doesn't matter unless you're picking a buddy. Go with the flow on a pair. Find the piggies you like. And about the boys and cleaning, check every day, and its so easy I don't consider it extra.

 

[jmacka93]

Thank you all for your opinions.
I would go to a rescue to get them, but my friend bought 2 females around the end of february, and in the middle of April they had babies. She's got 4 female and 2 male that are available (betwen both mothers). So I am going to see them again on Saturday, and hopefully choose a pair.
Any ideas what qualities I should look for in a baby guinea pig? I've been told that they are all healthy because they have been taken to the vets to be checked.

 

[Shuvvy]

Thank you all for your opinions.
I would go to a rescue to get them, but my friend bought 2 females around the end of february, and in the middle of April they had babies. She's got 4 female and 2 male that are available (betwen both mothers). So I am going to see them again on Saturday, and hopefully choose a pair.
Any ideas what qualities I should look for in a baby guinea pig? I've been told that they are all healthy because they have been taken to the vets to be checked.

A good indication of whether or not they like you is if they make eye contact (or at least that's what I hear!) Our boys both looked at us when we got them and they settled in so quickly. Also do a quick feel over their skin, make sure it doesn't feel lumpy (sign of mites). Ears should also be smooth and eyes should look clear, although a milky liquid is usual as its made during grooming.
That's about all I can think of

 

[Fudge and Rainbow :)]

I've always had sows and they are lovely! x) I am currently looking after a boy piggy though and he's lovely too... so I don't think gender matters to be honest! I have heard that boys are more smelly though.

 

[lauralucy]

i have 2 boys and 6 girls, i must say i prefer girls simply as you can add to them(i'm all for having one cage). but my boys give great cuddles and kisses. i have one girls who doesnt like cuddles but always gives kisses. i think its the bond you form with them rather than which gender they are.

 

[piggie-power]

I have 4 boys and 1 girl,

My boys are the sweetest, cuddliest little things ever, my girl is an absolute cow and has extreme mood swings lol

She's nicknamed ASBO pig in this house. The only time she's actually cuddly is when she's in season - but again this could just be my pigs personality.

Personally i would have a look around a few rescues and pick the guinea's on their personallity and not gender.

Asbo pig may be a pain in the neck but her character has us in stitches at times - i wouldn't change her or my boys for the world.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you all for your opinions.
I would go to a rescue to get them, but my friend bought 2 females around the end of february, and in the middle of April they had babies. She's got 4 female and 2 male that are available (betwen both mothers). So I am going to see them again on Saturday, and hopefully choose a pair.
Any ideas what qualities I should look for in a baby guinea pig? I've been told that they are all healthy because they have been taken to the vets to be checked.

I hope that your friend is aware that she needs to separate any boars at three weeks old, or her mums and and baby sows could be already pregnant again! The earliest documented sibling pregnancy is 24 days. Usually, baby sows can get pregnant from 4 weeks onwards - and we are seeing plenty of that on this forum.

If you go for two baby boars, you will inevitably run the risk of potential fall outs when they hit the big hormones at 4-14 months old. The key to a successful boar bond is character compatibility, not the fact that they are related or have grown up together. Rescues generally bond a baby boar with an older boar to avoid both being in the stroppy months at the same time.

Any babies you rehome should be over 400g (around six weeks) old; they are much sturdier then and cope much better with having their lives completely turned upside down. Younger pups are far more likely to fall ill or not thrive just from the stress of moving home.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I shake my head every morning at our herd of six girls as they make sooo much mess, are noisy and can bicker regularly when in season, our other two trio of girls are great, never argue and live very peacefully in their little groups
The two sets of brothers are really the best piggies we have, sooo friendly and docile - very laid back and although not too keen on cuddles, enjoy some lap time
We have a wife/huspig who don't care if the roof fell down as long as they have their food, beds and snoozy spots.
We tend to like girls because we can have more in a group as opposed to a pair of boys but I had two failed sow introductions as our top piggy in the herd is so dominant so the herd remains at six - it really is all down to their personalities :x

 

[jmacka93]

I hope that your friend is aware that she needs to separate any boars at three weeks old, or her mums and and baby sows could be already pregnant again! The earliest documented sibling pregnancy is 24 days. Usually, baby sows can get pregnant from 4 weeks onwards - and we are seeing plenty of that on this forum.

If you go for two baby boars, you will inevitably run the risk of potential fall outs when they hit the big hormones at 4-14 months old. The key to a successful boar bond is character compatibility, not the fact that they are related or have grown up together. Rescues generally bond a baby boar with an older boar to avoid both being in the stroppy months at the same time.

Any babies you rehome should be over 400g (around six weeks) old; they are much sturdier then and cope much better with having their lives completely turned upside down. Younger pups are far more likely to fall ill or not thrive just from the stress of moving home.

The boys have been separated from the females. The thing I worry about the most is if they end up fighting.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Any piggy runs the risk of falling out with a mate - it's more common with boars though so people do tend to go for sows.
My boars have never argued or fought luckily
Have a read through this, gives some good info:

http://cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm

Best thing to do is to always have a back up plan - I had two pairs of brothers as my first piggies before the girlies came along so extended their housing (they live with us in our lounge) We kept a 5ft section of the pen empty until the boys got through the hormonal stages and felt confident there would be no need for separations rolleyes The empty space then allowed us to adopt more piggies |)
If everyone had 'plan B' i.e. space to accomodate if a fall out occurs and able to adopt another piggy for each single split one, things would be so much smoother rolleyes