Is my cage big enough?

Lady Kelly said:
It's worth researching all options thoroughly including talking to local vets about their experiences with guinea pigs and how often they see them etc. Very experienced vets can get almost 100% success rate. Age and overall health of the piggy in question is vital to the outcome too
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Sadly I don’t know the age of one of them. My other two have had URIS about once or twice. My oldest cinnamon hasn’t had any URIS so far. So I think he’d be the safest bet.
 
Nattzzz said:
My update after reading the thread on boar dating, my mother made the mistake of purchasing my boar Marble the day after purchasing my baby boar jinx. Cinnamon had been alone and I couldn’t just reject the guinea pig she had already bought. I was so stressed with school work and other things I hadn’t researched how three boars would act. They seem to be fine atm but you did mention how they’d act after the younger ones reach teenage years. I think my only option is within these couple months to get a part time job, get my older one Cinnamon neutered, create a table method living for the 4. And just separate. :(
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It's not your only option. You could expand the space they have and just make sure you can put dividers in if things go wrong. Worst case scenario though is ending up with 3 single boars who refuse to live with any of the others. Sometimes only one boar becomes the outsider though and you could still end up with two pairs. My friend went against all my advice and brought 3 baby boars from a farm. She had them in a hutch only big enough for two but they sailed through their teenage years completely chilled out with each other. I was amazed because I know it's more common for a fall out than what happened to them. It's never impossible but it is taking some what of a risk
 
I have two neutered boars living separately with two sows each so I can only offer advice on that but I think I’ve heard that having two boars living next to a female can cause them to fight. So I guess either way you go, doing the table idea would be best so they don’t have contact through the bars. You poor thing, we’re all throwing all this information at you! As long as your piggies aren’t fighting, they are fine for now and you have time to do your research and make a decision.
 
Nattzzz said:
Sadly I don’t know the age of one of them. My other two have had URIS about once or twice. My oldest cinnamon hasn’t had any URIS so far. So I think he’d be the safest bet.
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Past medical history isn't that important, it will be current health. I would be hesitant operating on an older pig unnecessarily when I don't know the age as I have seen my older piggies struggle more with getting back to normal after operations
 
Lady Kelly said:
It's not your only option. You could expand the space they have and just make sure you can put dividers in if things go wrong. Worst case scenario though is ending up with 3 single boars who refuse to live with any of the others. Sometimes only one boar becomes the outsider though and you could still end up with two pairs. My friend went against all my advice and brought 3 baby boars from a farm. She had them in a hutch only big enough for two but they sailed through their teenage years completely chilled out with each other. I was amazed because I know it's more common for a fall out than what happened to them. It's never impossible but it is taking some what of a risk
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I understand, that’s why I’m waiting 2-3 months. I want to watch their behavior because so far they’ve done well with eachother. I’ve never had them fight. I mean cinnamon (being the dominant one) had annoyed the other two but I’ve never had any teeth chattering or actual fights where they have hurt eachother. They’ve snapped and nipped the other when very annoyed but other than that nothing. Thank you for your advice though. :)
 
HeatherRose said:
I have two neutered boars living separately with two sows each so I can only offer advice on that but I think I’ve heard that having two boars living next to a female can cause them to fight. So I guess either way you go, doing the table idea would be best so they don’t have contact through the bars. You poor thing, we’re all throwing all this information at you! As long as your piggies aren’t fighting, they are fine for now and you have time to do your research and make a decision.
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Haha, I really just wish I would’ve done more reasearch and especially that my mother wouldn’t have gotten another piggie without informing me! But what’s done can’t be undone now, I very much love my three boys. I think if they all don’t work out together, the table method and a neutering that will make my anxiety levels go insane is my go to, lol. I will definitely update this situation in the next couple of months! :)
 
Lady Kelly said:
Past medical history isn't that important, it will be current health. I would be hesitant operating on an older pig unnecessarily when I don't know the age as I have seen my older piggies struggle more with getting back to normal after operations
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I will take my two “older” ones to the vet and have them check their ages and tell me which is more suitable for a neutering. I definitely won’t have my baby piggie get a neutering because I feel weird about it? I don’t know why.
 
Just incase this helps, i had a single sow, and a single boar, i have a good vet who neutered my boar, after the 6 week wait for the neutered boars sperm to die. I bonded the two, it was a real easy bond.

If you do decide for the neuter, make sure you wait the 6 weeks before you introduce to a female, else youll end up in a whole world of mess ( a guineapig zoo)
 
Nattzzz said:
I will take my two “older” ones to the vet and have them check their ages and tell me which is more suitable for a neutering. I definitely won’t have my baby piggie get a neutering because I feel weird about it? I don’t know why.
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Boars have to be developed enough to be neutered, so your youngest could be to young to do it anyway
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
Its really good that your mum has such an an interest in the pigs aswell, helps alot
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Thank you so much for the caution on the 6 week wait! Knowing me I would’ve just grinned and put the boar and sow together LOL. Last thing I need is a guinea pig zoo. I don’t know if my father would react worse to a sow being pregnant or ME being pregnant.
 
Nattzzz said:
Do you think getting another boar and separating into two instead of neutering one of my board and getting a sow is a better idea?
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well the thing is, is you could end up with the new boar not getting along with any boar you want to take from your trio of boars, and then end up with a single boar. I would up your cage size to suit your trio of boars, then if a fight breaks out in the future, then decide who gets on with who. But then again you could end up with 3 single boars if a fight breaks out. I think the best solution is taking one boar and neutering him, then getting a sow. But you will need two cages. I would use the midwest cage for the boar and sow, then get a new one for the two boars you decide to keep together.
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
well the thing is, is you could end up with the new boar not getting along with any boar you want to take from your trio of boars, and then end up with a single boar. I would up your cage size to suit your trio of boars, then if a fight breaks out in the future, then decide who gets on with who. But then again you could end up with 3 single boars if a fight breaks out. I think the best solution is taking one boar and neutering him, then getting a sow. But you will need two cages. I would use the midqest cage for the boar and sow, then get a new one for the two boars you decide to keep together
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Okay I’ve decided that’s the best idea. I’m worried my youngest boar might actually be an independent the more you guys talk about it. The two older ones will sleep and eat together often, and my younger will sleep alone. I’ve seen him sleep with the oldest (dominant) one about 2-3 times so maybe they’re still just getting used to it. Also, will neutering change the behavior/personality of my boar?
 
You are in a right tough situation here. It may be that your trio of boars will get along fone for life, but its rare. You need to up the cage size for better chances
 
You could have two pairs of boars, or get one neutered and get a sow, it’s up to you
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
You are in a right tough situation here. It may be that your trio of boars will get along fone for life, but its rare. You need to up the cage size for better chances
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Yes I really am, I will definitely look at more cages right now.
 
Nattzzz said:
Okay I’ve decided that’s the best idea. I’m worried my youngest boar might actually be an independent the more you guys talk about it. The two older ones will sleep and eat together often, and my younger will sleep alone. I’ve seen him sleep with the oldest (dominant) one about 2-3 times so maybe they’re still just getting used to it. Also, will neutering change the behavior/personality of my boar?
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Neutering doesnt change behaviour atall in guinea pigs, but does in rabbits. Now youve said about your younger boars personality , i would choose him for the new sow, but he could be too young to do
 
I am absolutely not an expert but if you have a rescue near you that does boar dating I would try to match my 3rd boar with another boar.
That is just my preference with my own situation and set up, I could not advise you what to do. Have a read through this thread.
Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides
This has lots of useful information and gives you lots to think about!
 
Nattzzz said:
Okay I’ve decided that’s the best idea. I’m worried my youngest boar might actually be an independent the more you guys talk about it. The two older ones will sleep and eat together often, and my younger will sleep alone. I’ve seen him sleep with the oldest (dominant) one about 2-3 times so maybe they’re still just getting used to it. Also, will neutering change the behavior/personality of my boar?
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For a guinea pig to be classed as ‘independent’ they would usually be aggressive, or overly dominant.

My two guinea pigs (Smokey and Bacon) don’t really sleep together, but they still enjoy each other’s company, so it does not mean they need to be separated 🙂
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
Neutering doesnt change behaviour atall in guinea pigs, but does in rabbits. Now youve said about your younger boars personality , i would choose him for the new sow, but he could be too young to do
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Yes, he’s only 0-3 months. :( my two younger get along I believe? They haven’t slept together but they do eat together and chase eachother around.
 
Sophie Blane said:
For a guinea pig to be classed as ‘independent’ they would usually be aggressive, or overly dominant.

My two guinea pigs (Smokey and Bacon) don’t really sleep together, but they still enjoy each other’s company, so it does not mean they need to be separated 🙂
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Oh thank goodness. None of my pigs are aggressive. They don’t bite or chatter their teeth at eachother.
 
Wait it out, see if they all get to teenage years and still get along, but get a 2nd cage that will be big enough to house two boars if something goes wrong. In the meantime with the 2nd cage, use it as an extension to give your boars a better chance of a lifelong bond ( more room to for their own quiet times)
 
piggieminder said:
I am absolutely not an expert but if you have a rescue near you that does boar dating I would try to match my 3rd boar with another boar.
That is just my preference with my own situation and set up, I could not advise you what to do. Have a read through this thread.
Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides
This has lots of useful information and gives you lots to think about!
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I live in a very small town and I doubt there’s a rescue nearby, but if their was I would be VERY interested in going there and seeing what’s up. I will look into that, thank you.
 
Although bear in mind that a small cage will increase the chances of a falling out
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
Wait it out, see if they all get to teenage years and still get along, but get a 2nd cage that will be big enough to house two boars if something goes wrong. In the meantime with the 2nd cage, use it as an extension to give your boars a better chance of a lifelong bond
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I’m happy I posted the picture of the cage, I was questioning if I should in general because I thought it would be fine. I took a look at the box of the cage and it advertises three guinea pigs... I believe that’s where my mother got the idea. I’m going to talk to her so she doesn’t up and get more pigs without talking to me lol. Thank you for all your advice! I will definitely purchase or diy a bigger cage or extension.
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
They might as they got older and hormones kick in. Youll have to see
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My oldest pig will make this strange sound when my sisters come to the cage, almost like a snake hissing.. is that a sign of beginning aggression?
 
Nattzzz said:
I’m happy I posted the picture of the cage, I was questioning if I should in general because I thought it would be fine. I took a look at the box of the cage and it advertises three guinea pigs... I believe that’s where my mother got the idea. I’m going to talk to her so she doesn’t up and get more pigs without talking to me lol. Thank you for all your advice! I will definitely purchase or diy a bigger cage or extension.
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