Housing Male And Female In The Same Room?

[lizzi2598]

My 2 year old male guinea pig, who I acquired as a single, just doesn't seem to get along with other male piggies. All of my efforts to find him a cagemate haven't worked. I think he's one of those rare guinea pigs that is best on his own. I'd like to rescue a couple pigs and house them in another cage in the same room. The rescues around me are very limited in guinea pigs and I may end up with a pair of females. Reese is not neutered. You think keeping the cages close will cause a problem?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi is it only males you have tried him with? It could be he feels happier with the opposite sex. Have you thought about neutering him? Usually a boar and a sow work well. I don't think keeping the cages close will cause a problem unless Reese decides he quite likes the ladies and kicks up a fuss haha.

 

[Tiamolly123]

I would probably get him neutered, then after 6 weeks put a sow in with him. They normally get on well with a sow.

Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum.

 

[Wiebke]

My 2 year old male guinea pig, who I acquired as a single, just doesn't seem to get along with other male piggies. All of my efforts to find him a cagemate haven't worked. I think he's one of those rare guinea pigs that is best on his own. I'd like to rescue a couple pigs and house them in another cage in the same room. The rescues around me are very limited in guinea pigs and I may end up with a pair of females. Reese is not neutered. You think keeping the cages close will cause a problem?

Hi! if you have a single male, keeping him in an adjoining cage with interaction through the bars with the sows for stimulation and company is perfectly fine. It would be great if he could see and interact with them fully (but safely), like sniffing and watching each other, sleeping next to each etc.

The problem comes when you have two boars-only pairs in a room full of sows, as the sight and pheromones from each gender can cause some fireworks... both stronger seasons in sows and fights between overstimulated boars.

Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations

 

[lizzi2598]

Thanks guys! I've actually gotten in contact with a lady who is trying to get rid of her two guinea pigs. She says she doesn't know if they are male or female, but claims they are both the same sex, which I'm not automatically trusting. Either way I'm going to take a look at them today and will in all likelihood take them home. From the pictures she sent me, they need a new home. Small cage, improper bedding. They seem to be relatively young but I'm crossing my fingers that it's not a male and a female that's impregnated. I really believe Reese will be benefited by having other piggies close to him, after they've been quarantined for a while of course.

 

[lizzi2598]

I would probably get him neutered, then after 6 weeks put a sow in with him. They normally get on well with a sow.

Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum.

Thanks, I think I'm possibly going to contact my vet about neutering him. I think things might become much simpler

 

[Skittypigs]

My 2 year old male guinea pig, who I acquired as a single, just doesn't seem to get along with other male piggies. All of my efforts to find him a cagemate haven't worked. I think he's one of those rare guinea pigs that is best on his own. I'd like to rescue a couple pigs and house them in another cage in the same room. The rescues around me are very limited in guinea pigs and I may end up with a pair of females. Reese is not neutered. You think keeping the cages close will cause a problem?

I see no problem with them being in the same room

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks guys! I've actually gotten in contact with a lady who is trying to get rid of her two guinea pigs. She says she doesn't know if they are male or female, but claims they are both the same sex, which I'm not automatically trusting. Either way I'm going to take a look at them today and will in all likelihood take them home. From the pictures she sent me, they need a new home. Small cage, improper bedding. They seem to be relatively young but I'm crossing my fingers that it's not a male and a female that's impregnated. I really believe Reese will be benefited by having other piggies close to him, after they've been quarantined for a while of course.

Here is the best sexing link. Please check your piggies upon arrival: Sexing Guinea Pigs: How to Sex a Guinea Pig
It doesn't initially matter to your boy, as he can live alongside boars or sows, but if unsure of the background, please consider conducting a quarantine first. Importance Of Quarantine

 

[lizzi2598]

Here is the best sexing link. Please check your piggies upon arrival: Sexing Guinea Pigs: How to Sex a Guinea Pig
It doesn't initially matter to your boy, as he can live alongside boars or sows, but if unsure of the background, please consider conducting a quarantine first. Importance Of Quarantine

Thank you, just picked them up, both girls. I'm definitely keeping them quarantined. First check though, I see no obvious sings of illness. Good news!