I Was Naughty Today...

Status
Not open for further replies.
WafflesCupcakes

WafflesCupcakes

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
289
Reaction score
357
Points
330
Location
USA
Well today I was in my favorite farm store, and they had new guinea pigs. So of course I had to look at them and hold them. One of the pigs even had blue eyes! I didn't even know that was possible (sadly she was a girl, otherwise she'd be mine). So anyway I found this beautiful calico/tortishell dutch guinea pig. He was so charming, I just HAD to take him. So, now I have 3 boars that I'm in the middle of bonding. Dexter doesn't seem to care all that much about Lucky (what I decided to call him. Original,I know.) but Joey decided he was going to be the boss of everyone. Geez, i started with one and ended up with three. They really are addicting!
 
It must have been hard walking out without all the pigs! I'm sticking to two, I know it's best for them...Also, I didn't think you could bond three boars! @Wiebke? I thought it disrupted the whole hierarchy. Anyway, congrats on your new hoglet! Don't get any more, or you'll never stop!:)):P
 
TheCavySlave said:
It must have been hard walking out without all the pigs! I'm sticking to two, I know it's best for them...Also, I didn't think you could bond three boars! @Wiebke? I thought it disrupted the whole hierarchy. Anyway, congrats on your new hoglet! Don't get any more, or you'll never stop!:)):P
Click to expand...
Well, it's possible. Dexter is older and seems to have accept him, and they have a HUGE house. It's around 10 by 8 I think, (not exactly sure, I'll have to check later.) so they can get away from each other if they need to.
 
WafflesCupcakes said:
Well, it's possible. Dexter is older and seems to have accept him, and they have a HUGE house. It's around 10 by 8 I think, (not exactly sure, I'll have to check later.) so they can get away from each other if they need to.
Click to expand...

All the best - space is only one (if important) factor. In the end, it is all down to character compatibility (i.e. the mix of dominant and laid back personalities) when your youngsters hit the teenage months between 4-14 months old. The more boys you have going through the critical months at any given time, the greater the risk of problems. At least you have got enough space to comfortably split your cage if necessary. I hope that it goes well for you!
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Please be aware that guinea pigs that have not been previously quarantined can carry issues into an existing group. The stress of having their short lives upturned several times in a short amount of space together with having a still developing immune system makes young shop/breeder guinea pigs particularly vulnerable if they are exposed to bacteria, parasites or fungal spores at any point of their journey.
As you have already introduced, it is too late now, but please keep an eye out for any signs of URI, mange mites or fungal as the most common complaints. It has sadly been a rather steep and expensive learning curve for some of our members.
Importance Of Quarantine

Blue eyes are pretty rare, but they turn up occasionally.
 
Thank you @Wiebke, they seem to be doing well. I didn't know about the quarantine issue, but I've had/have many many animals and that has never been a problem. They are all sitting happily munching on an apple at the moment.
 
Sounds like everything's going well!:Dand that is an enormous home, lucky pigs. With a bit of luck, they'll all get on well. And we will need photos soon:love:
 
Congratulations on the new boar! I hope the bonding all goes well!
 
I would say don't get anymore
Just to be on the safe side
 
Such a cutie! I have a quad of boars.. It is possible to bond more than 2, but it depends very much on the piggies and the amount of room you've got. Enjoy!
 
I have a wonderfully successful trio, but it's only made possible by the existing pair being very laid back and much older (Fred and George are in the region of 6 or 7) They are very tolerant of Billy, who is about 8 months old (and is incidentally blue eyed) and have previously fostered a single boar that came to me from a bad place.
I'm very lucky that they are such good characters- I'm not sure any of my other boars would be so accepting!
20160723_095227.webp
 
BertisKing said:
I have a wonderfully successful trio, but it's only made possible by the existing pair being very laid back and much older (Fred and George are in the region of 6 or 7) They are very tolerant of Billy, who is about 8 months old (and is incidentally blue eyed) and have previously fostered a single boar that came to me from a bad place.
I'm very lucky that they are such good characters- I'm not sure any of my other boars would be so accepting!
View attachment 56304
Click to expand...
Awwww what a sweet photo. Such a adorable trio.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top