Is This Setup Ok For My First Piggies

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PandaBaird

PandaBaird

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Hi I plan on getting my first GPs soon, 3 short haired ones but not sure which breed yet either rex or teddys I built a cage for them it is 6 foot by 2 foot and placed it on top of my old kitchen cabinets which are about 3.5 foot off the ground because I heard that placing them on the floor can make it more stressful for them with every person walking past looking huge and also the sound vibrations from doors shutting dogs barking etc, but the length of the cage is positioned parallel to a window that has no blinds or curtains so it's direct sunlight that's coming through but the sun will only be only there for a few hours in the morning is that ok?

Also I had planned on getting 3 sows but I read on here that when they come into heat every 2 weeks they get a little hyper and noisy so I'm not sure, can 3 un spayed males live in that size of cage and still get along? I wanted 3 because when I lift one out for grooming or bonding that there will still be a pair in there for each others company

Any help or advice is appreciated thanks!
 
Welcome to the forum!
Are you thinking on adopting them? Because we really encourage you to do so!

I think that is a nice cage size (Cage Size Guide), but about being next to a window... I would recommend you to put something to cover them a bit? Maybe get some cheap curtains or maybe put some fleece to create some shadow? Guinea pigs don't really take well the heat. So you will definitely need to find someway of making sure they're not getting that direct sunlight.
Another advice would be that I would not recommend you to get three boars since boar trios are the easiest ones to not work well at all?

Can't say much more to help you, but I'm sure some other member will, as we have really knowledgeable people around here!
In the mean time if you haven't done it yet, you can have a look here: " Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners
And! please, add your location to your profile (https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/account/personal-details), as that way people will be able to help you out in a more efficient way! :lol:
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. It sounds like a great cage you have. I also wouldn't recommend getting 3 boars as Trios of boars rarely work. I know lots of people on this forum that got 3 boars and they've all had to split them up. I would also agree that rescuing is best. All my boars were someone's unwanted Pets. If its definitely 3 you want I would either recommend getting 3 sows. Or a neutered boar and 2 sows.
I have a 2 pairs of boars. There's no problem when I take one out for laptime and leave the other one in. Good luck in your search and lookin forward to pics when you get your new piggies. :nod:
 
Thanks guys! Ah ok I will opt for 3 sows then probably, the reason I wanted the 3 was because I can probably only lift 1 out a time to take into my room wrapped in a towel to pet and bond with while watching tv probably for a couple of hours at a time I'm not sure if I could bring 2 in while keeping an eye on both of them, do a small group, 2 or 3, sows keep ok or are they hyper and a bit jittery when they come into heat every couple weeks? Should I maybe get 2 boars and bring them both out in the same towel for bonding would that be better? That's excluding floor time they will all get that in the same room that their cage is in for half an hour or as long as possible once a day while i give their pen a little clean :)

And yeah I would preferably adopt if possible I've been keeping an eye out, unfortunately there are not any GP shelters close to my location there's not even a whole lot of choice near me even in pet stores or private breeders so il just have to be patient until something comes up :(

Cheers for the help
 
About the lack of rescues... I feel you. Here is the same.

The season of the sows I think that depends on each sow. For what I read some of them have really soft seasons (meaning you almost can't notice it) and others just go crazy. But it's usually easier to bond two sows than two boars, especially without boar dating involved. There are also less fall outs with sows.

This is a really useful thread about sows:
Sow Behaviour
And these about bonding piggies:
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics
 
Thx I gave those a read when I joined :) on a slightly different note, does anyone know of some good outdoor veg / fruit that are easy to grow and last year round and also don't need to be replanted that guinea pigs like, I know rommaine lettuce is good and can be picked every now and then without having to he replanted but it doesn't grow in the winter right? I already have a few herbs inside some basil coriander and parsley growing on my kitchen windowsill for them, might try some carrots I hear they grow in the winter but they need to be replanted
 
i would also echo what others have said.
re the trio, i would definitely recommend 2 sows and a neutered boar, my lot are so mellow i never hear a squeak from them except when they hear me opening fridge or rustling a packet of anything - i can't even eat a banana without them letting me know to share!
 
Hi, I have three sows who are currently about 8months old - so pretty hormonal! Some seasons are stronger than others and it's great fun (read: chaos) when two, or even all three are in a strong season at the same time! They have a pretty big enclosure so there are no issues with being able to get away etc and the ones getting the attention really don't seem bothered!
 
Hi guys I bought 2 sows last night :D 4 months old from the pet store there were still none in shelters near me though if there are any in yhe future I might get one and make a trio :) they're cuties, very skittish still I know it will take a week or two for them to come to my hand and sniff it and all that stuff so I'm looking forward to that xD il get a pic of them in their cage soon hopefully I enjoyed looking at your guys' piggy pics hopefully mine will be as tame as that soon
 
Hi I've had my pair of 4 month old females for a week now they are still quite skittish but I can hand feed them their veg now, I planted some coriander and rocket in containers to feed them in a couple months when I grows too :) only thing is I haven't given them any floor time yet because every time I try to pick them up they are extremely skittish and against it should I wait another little while before lifting them out or should I catch them and lift them out anyway?
 
I use a tube to lift mine out of their pen for weighing or nails. I just open the door for floor time as it's already on the floor. If they're in the carry box I'll pick them up - it's easier when they're in a small space and I like to pick them up some times just to try and show them it's ok, they still don't like it !

Putting them back from floor time is the challenge if it's raised - mine just hop in after I liberally scatter the pen with veg!
 
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