Castration....

[Mamphers]

Just brought the boys home from their first vet visit. The vet suggested that because they weren't litter mates they'll probably end up fighting. She suggested that castration is an option. Wanted to know people's opinions.

I really don't want to put my boys through any unnecessary surgery, and I've read online that this doesn't actually stop fighting. They aren't at the moment but are both about 3 months old so about to hit the teens..

In other news both have been given a full bill of health, Miguel weighing 640g and Tulio 600g. Miguel's balls are apparently significantly larger than Tulios too

 

[sport_billy]

@Wiebke thoughts? I wouldn't think castration would make much of a difference

 

[Mamphers]

@Wiebke thoughts? I wouldn't think castration would make much of a difference

I'm worried she's just trying to get the money to be honest! She said it would limit the testosterone which is what would cause the fighta

 

[Claire W]

Neutering boys makes no difference to their behaviour what so ever. It only stops them from being able to impregnate a female.

Therefore, neutering is only advised if you are planning to pair a male with a female(s) or for health reasons.

 

[sport_billy]

I'm worried she's just trying to get the money to be honest! She said it would limit the testosterone which is what would cause the fighta

I have never been led to believe this is case in pigs at all

 

[Claire W]

P.s It makes no difference if they are litter mates or not. If they're going to fall out, they will fall out and that includes any piggy of any gender and whether they are blood related or not.

Please try not to worry. I'm sure that your boys are getting on perfectly well otherwise you would have noticed major signs by now.

I have a neutered boy living with two sows and believe me, his testosterone is still very much there.

 

[Mamphers]

P.s It makes no difference if they are litter mates or not. If they're going to fall out, they will fall out and that includes any piggy of any gender and whether they are blood related or not.

Please try not to worry. I'm sure that your boys are getting on perfectly well otherwise you would have noticed major signs by now.

I have a neutered boy living with two sows and believe me, his testosterone is still very much there.

Thanks Claire. There's chin raising, chasing and rumble strutting but that's it. Nothing worrying.

 

[Claire W]

Thanks Claire. There's chin raising, chasing and rumble strutting but that's it. Nothing worrying.

That's just normal dominance behaviour

 

[Wiebke]

Just brought the boys home from their first vet visit. The vet suggested that because they weren't litter mates they'll probably end up fighting. She suggested that castration is an option. Wanted to know people's opinions.

I really don't want to put my boys through any unnecessary surgery, and I've read online that this doesn't actually stop fighting. They aren't at the moment but are both about 3 months old so about to hit the teens..

In other news both have been given a full bill of health, Miguel weighing 640g and Tulio 600g. Miguel's balls are apparently significantly larger than Tulios too

Hi!

Firstly, it is a persistent breeder myth that brothers won't fight or fall out and that not related boars will inevitably do so. The key to any successful boar bond is character compatibility, i.e. a good balance between dominant and laid-back personalities, irrespective of age and being related. Two dominant brothers will clash exactly the same as two unrelated boars of any age.

Neutering guinea pig boars CANNOT prevent any personality clashes or curb their normal social dominance behaviour. Wether a boar bond is ultimately successful is ultimately down to how your boys mesh in their adult identity.
It can at the best ease some of the hormonal excess, but it takes weeks for the hormones to calm down and even a neutered boar can still experience hormonal spikes (as my sows can attest to!), so by the time that is happening your boys will already be well into the most critical phase of their teenage months.
I have currently got a recently neutered 6 months old boy living with a 2 year old (already neutered) boar in a mainly sow household. I can personally testify that even several weeks on he is still in full "juice" and has needed a temporary 2 day separation after ending up with a badly scratched nose for being a total pest at some point - and that even though the two boys are getting along really well personality-wise when the chips are down and they are actually closely bonded and happy together!

Weighing up the risks of post-op complications (unless you have a really good neutering vet on tap like I am lucky to have), it is usually not worth it unless you want to have the option of bonding your fallen-out boars with sows if you haven't got a rescue that offers boar-boar dating within your reach.

Personally I don't think that the vet you have been seeing is very clued up on guinea pig behaviour.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Guinea Pig Vet Locator
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Mamphers]

Hi!

Firstly, it is a persistent breeder myth that brothers won't fight or fall out and that not related boars will inevitably do so. The key to any successful boar bond is character compatibility, i.e. a good balance between dominant and laid-back personalities, irrespective of age and being related. Two dominant brothers will clash exactly the same as two unrelated boars of any age.

Neutering guinea pig boars CANNOT prevent any personality clashes or curb their normal social dominance behaviour. Wether a boar bond is ultimately successful is ultimately down to how your boys mesh in their adult identity.
It can at the best ease some of the hormonal excess, but it takes weeks for the hormones to calm down and even a neutered boar can still experience hormonal spikes (as my sows can attest to!), so by the time that is happening your boys will already be well into the most critical phase of their teenage months.
I have currently got a recently neutered 6 months old boy living with a 2 year old (already neutered) boar in a mainly sow household. I can personally testify that even several weeks on he is still in full "juice" and has needed a temporary 2 day separation after ending up with a badly scratched nose for being a total pest at some point - and that even though the two boys are getting along really well personality-wise when the chips are down and they are actually closely bonded and happy together!

Weighing up the risks of post-op complications (unless you have a really good neutering vet on tap like I am lucky to have), it is usually not worth it unless you want to have the option of bonding your fallen-out boars with sows if you haven't got a rescue that offers boar-boar dating within your reach.

Personally I don't think that the vet you have been seeing is very clued up on guinea pig behaviour.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Guinea Pig Vet Locator
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Thank you. Luckily this was just a follow up from us buying them and they're properly registered at a vet who my friend recommended (she's a pig mum too).

 

[BlueBird]

I'm worried she's just trying to get the money to be honest! She said it would limit the testosterone which is what would cause the fighta

In all fairness she might be assuming that Guinea pigs are similar to rabbits. Rabbits need neutering for hormonal issues and it is a highly recommended procedure now. Either way she doesn't sound like a very good Guinea vet! :/