Can a trio of girls work?

[justkimberley]

Hi
I was wondering whether a trio of female guinea pigs is a viable option, in terms of them getting along?
I've been scouting around, and there are a lot of adverts where there are three girl piggies, it seems a shame to separate two from their sister, and leave one.

How big of a hutch would be needed for three girl piggies? The main question is, will they get along. I know it is down to individual personalities, what are people's experiences?

Kim x

 

[Lisajazz]

I have a trio of girls that works and I have rehomed a mum and 2 female babies before and they all got on great too. If you're looking at an established trio then it will probably be fine. If you're doing it yourself you need to make sure it's not two against one, but yes it can work very well.

 

[bubble&squeak4ever]

Three girls usually works quite well
Regarding the hutch size....the minimum size for 3 piggies is 5ft x 2ft I think but I'd say 6ft x 2ft or more is much better!

 

[piggyfan]

Three can work but four is even better. Rather then a hutch a c and c cage will give you more space for them. It would need to be about 3 by 5 for the piggies. Hutches are small, in my opinion.

 

[Stewybus]

I had 4 girls together & one died so had three. Tried to add another but at first didn't work so got a neutered boar as companion for the fourth piggie. Now have finally managed to bond them all & they're all in one big run.

The answer to your question is maybe. It's down to their personalities. If you're getting 3 that are already bonded then there should be no problem like when you've got 3 or more boars together when problems are common. If you've got 2 & want to add another, see if your local rescue does dating. If they do, you take your 2 piggies in & find a compatible sow.

Regarding hutch size, I'd say at least 1.5m (5ft) by 0.75m (2ft 6in) but the bigger the better. My 5 are in a 8ft x 3ft run indoors. See:- http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?103194-A-Different-Type-of-Run&highlight=

 

[Pigjes]

I had 2 up to 5 girls. It can work well, as said: it depends on the individual pig.

 

[Wiebke]

Trios can work well, but get an established one.

If you are planning to get piggies from the freeads, please be aware that there are people who will lie through their teeth in order to get rid of their piggies, including breeders. You will run a distinct risk that your girls may be pregnant and not as well established as you were told. You will also need to have them health checked after their arrival.

The safest place to get piggies from is a good standard rescue where guinea pigs undergo a routine quarantine, pregnancy watch and are carefully monitored for the stability of any bond; thus you can avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary. Sometimes they have established trios, or mum and two rescue born daughters trios.
Here is the Piggy Bank map of recommended (and vetted) rescues in Britain: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0