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Mel1981

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Hi,
I have 3 boys (Elvis, Marley and Freddie) born in Oct 2011 and a few weeks ago Elvis and Marley started picking on Freddie, resulting in them fighting and causing injuries that required a vets visit!
I was advised by the vet to have Elvis and Marley neutered to try and calm them down which I did but it doesn't seem to have worked. I've seperated them in the run (elvis and Marley 1 side and Freddie the other) by putting mesh across the middle so they can still see each other. They seem to get on well through the mesh lying next to each other and touching noses etc. but as soon as I try and put them together again they go for each other.
I'm worried about Freddie because he is the one on his own, and he's started chewing the cage bars which I've read is a sign of stress:( I dont know what to do with him.. He obviously cant live with Elvis and Marley but at the same time cant live without them.
It's so upsetting to see them all like this, any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Mel x
 
Hi, I'm afraid that three boys rarely work out as you have unfortunately found out the hard way. Also I'm sorry to say your vet is wrong to have advised you that neutering will change behaviour. This is not the case for guinea pigs. The best thing for Freddie is to take him boar dating so he can pick a friend and then keep them as two pairs. Many rescues will do boar dating and help you to find a piggy that he will be happy with. If you are worried about space for two pairs there are some wonderful set ups made of c&c in the housing section of the forum which could give you ideas for how to house them.
 
Yes sadly trios of boars rarely wook, especially youngsters like your 3, they have all hit that hormonal teenage stage at the same time and that can cause a lot of friction between a pair let alone 3. Vet's are unfortunately very miss-informed about neutering in guinea pigs so you've also had to fork out for 2 surgeries you didn't need :/
Like piggiyme234 has said idealy Freddie needs a companion of his own, the poor boy is probably wondering hat he has done wrong! if you let us know where you are roughly we can direct you to rescues which will do "boar dating" to find Freddie his perfect pal :)
 
Thank you for the advice!
I wish i'd have found this forum before I forked out £115 to have the 2 neutered!
I will definately look into the boar dating and I hope that poor Freddie will end up with a friend.
The boys were brought for me as a pressie from my fiancé and he was only planning on getting 2 but there was 1 left over and simply couldn't leave him.
Thanks again
x
 
The other thing to be aware of is that each pair gets plenty of space. As guinea pigs are very territorial, disputes can break out if you have a small cage. The minimum size is 120 cm, but a pair of boars should be in larger and should also have two hideys (some prefer two water bottles, two food sources etc as well). If you manage to give them lots of space you should find that they are happier.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum you, your fiancee, Elvis, Marley and Freddie :)
ooooh dear sorry to hear what you've been thru :(
I do hope you can sort out something for Freddie :) I can understand why your fiancee just couldn't leave one behind....... it's rather lovely of him!
Good luck for the boys!
Hope you can pop some pigtures on soon of them all, whee have a stories/photo section for you to share,

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x
 
You can also neuter Freddie and get him a wife pig. From what I've heard this works better, but you probably don't want to down the road of neutering again. Just a few days ago I put my two month old boar with my one year old boar. Try to get a baby boar, as it should be easier.
 
I would like to say thank you all for your advice.. I went and got Freddie a friend (Who we've decided to call Elton :) )
They had a mad 15-20 min of trying to bonk each other initially but have been best buds ever since!
I am so happy! Now Elvis and Marley can live happily together, and Freddie is happily living in sin with Elton:))
Thanks again
Mel, Elvis Marley, Freddie and Elton
x
 
I just found this thread - your name choices are AMAZING!

Can I ask how old Elton was when you got him?
 
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