Duo to herd

[Zombiepanda]

Hello everyone! I have two female guinea pigs Currently. Getting ready to upgrade to a larger habitat 3x5 c&c with a loft (possibly 2x6 undecided). I’m really wanting to add a third because I’ve read and heard that a “herd” is more social and comfort in numbers for them.

As a third is it better to add a neutered boy or another female? My gals are mounting each other regularly and they are super cuddly with each other. They get along wonderfully and are friendly with each other and play like hyper children. Would another female create more mounting action? I’d prefer to adopt but none of the males I see are neutered. Any advice to which to add would be great thanks!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone! I have two female guinea pigs Currently. Getting ready to upgrade to a larger habitat 3x5 c&c with a loft (possibly 2x6 undecided). I’m really wanting to add a third because I’ve read and heard that a “herd” is more social and comfort in numbers for them.

As a third is it better to add a neutered boy or another female? My gals are mounting each other regularly and they are super cuddly with each other. They get along wonderfully and are friendly with each other and play like hyper children. Would another female create more mounting action? I’d prefer to adopt but none of the males I see are neutered. Any advice to which to add would be great thanks!

Hi!

If you haven't got access to neutered boars, I would recommend to upgrade to 3x5 grids and consider adopting another, younger bonded pair of sows that cannot challenge the existing hierarchy. Even number in sows generally work better. You still have the option to try and introduce a neutered boar later on; ideally one you can date as initial acceptance is the big hurdle in cross gender pairings.

You may find the experiences that have gone into this guide here helpful for making your decision: Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Here is our very comprehensive, illustrated step-by-step bonding guide: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[Zombiepanda]

Thank you so much! I actually got the original idea of a neutered boar from that article. It was interesting and I’ll read through again. The girls I have now are 5 and 2 months old. Would you suggest possibly an older pair to teach the girls the ropes or still younger?

 

[Zombiepanda]

Sorry 5 months and 2.5/almost 3 months****

I will read up on it also, but just for quick reference what size C&C is best for 4 females?

 

[Merab]

I had 4 sows in a 2x5 with a 2x2 L shaped extension.
My current herd is 3 sows with a neutered husboar and the L part of the extension is now 3x2.

This seems to work well.
I’ve never used a loft.

You will love a herd - it is so much fun.
Hope things work out well for you in establishing one.
Looking forward to pictures

 

[artcasper]

I have always had 2 sows.... and now I have 3..

we lost one of my original piggies in December so the one we had left went off to a rescue to find a new friend. she came back with 2 friends...... It's been quite tough to be honest as the 2 from the rescue were bonded and i felt like they were at times pushing my lone girl out.. it's taken 7 weeks and they are still settling in... getting better but still lots of rumbling! they all seem to fall out over the smallest hay tray

we extended our c&c cage to a 7 x 2 - so they have tons of space which is defo needed when they play up!

Good luck with your search!

 

[Darcey15]

Good luck with your search! I started with a neutered boar & added ladies through a dating service so a different situation but there is nothing to stop you adding a boar later if you can find a rescue who have one and will date him with your girls & ensure compatibility. Theres no guarantees but if you can try with no risk to your current herd then if you're set on a boar, thats what I would do personally.

Good luck with your search

 

[Zombiepanda]

Thanks for all the info! And thank you all so much for replies! I absolutely love hearing all of these stories so much! I’m just going to start checking local shelters and such and see if I can find any ladies who need/want to be part of a family again. Hopefully that way my girls can ‘lady date’. The youngest I have no worries about because she’s a feisty little terror and just goes nonstop. My oldest is the shy standoffish one. I don’t think her life before was super great because she hates when the other tries to cuddle or touch her at all. She’s a touch me not, EXCEPT to me. She’ll openly run up to me and sit in my lap for long periods, but will outright refuse to let anyone else hold or pick her up. I’m hoping that another (or two) piggy will help bond them a little more and give my baby a friend.

Do you guys have any recommendations on age? Older and needing a home, same age, or babies? Thanks again everyone ^_^