I've got a male piggie that can t get on with other boys after they are a year old. Would he get on with a neutered female maybe, as I don't want him to be a lonesome pig all winter when they can't get out in the run so much?
Lonesome Pig?
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Gems
Adult Guinea Pig
I think the RSPCA may neuter females they are rehoming as one of my piggies has been and came from the RSPCA before being handed to Layla to rehome but I don't know of any rescues that do it as it is much more risky then to have a boar neutered. As LauraLucy said it may be a better idea to have your boy neutered and find him a girlfriend.
That's a good idea, he is 2 in october.
If he was neutered would it stop him fighting with the boys? (it does for cats!)
If he was neutered would it stop him fighting with the boys? (it does for cats!)
caviaporcellus
Adult Guinea Pig
Sadly, no. Castrating a boar does not change his behaviour.
Actually an un-neutered female would probably drive the other 3 boys nuts trying to get to her!
CiaraPatricia
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Yeah I'd say even a neutered female would drive the other three boys mad . . . well possibly.
You could keep the female and male away from the other three though.
You could keep the female and male away from the other three though.
Hmm I think my best option would be to swap 2 bonded boys for a pair of girls then neuter the other two as I can't realistically accomodate more than two pairs. Does that sound like a solution?
Doeylicious
Adult Guinea Pig
Sorry, I don't think I understood that - do you mean you want to swap your pair of boys for a pair of girls, then get your boy neutered so he can live with them?!
That's a bit unfair on the bonded boys!
I have five guineas, two sows, one lone boar and a bonded pair of boars. They all live within smelling distance of each other, but the pair of boars are pretty chilled about the fact there are girls nearby, even when out in the run next to them they don't seem too bothered - we have our first bit of teeth chattering today but it settled down.
Neutering girls is a VERY invasive operation that should only be taken as a last resort - just look at it logically, to neuter a boy it's two snips and you're done, to neuter a girl you have to make a large incision down the stomach, remove her ovaries and sometimes womb, and stitch her back up. Put it this way, a man goes in for a vasectomy as an outpatient, a woman having a hysterectomy has to rest for six months afterwards - it's quite a difference.
Yes it is unfair I know but I have 3 plus 1 and the older pig of the trio is starting to get grumpy with the younger pair so I have a feeling time will come when I need to split them up too. I have two large indoor cages for the winter but haven't the room for a third. Outside I have two 4ft hutches and a large run split in two. To make everything go three ways will be difficult.
I would obviously make sure the youngsters go to a good home and possibly my guinea pig holiday sitter would have them as she has recently become pigless and it would be familiar for them as they have aleady stayed there.
Any advice or suggestions gratefully received though!
I would obviously make sure the youngsters go to a good home and possibly my guinea pig holiday sitter would have them as she has recently become pigless and it would be familiar for them as they have aleady stayed there.
Any advice or suggestions gratefully received though!
No I mean get the two boys neutered and they could have a girlfriend each.
Yes it is unfair I know but I have 3 plus 1 and the older pig of the trio is starting to get grumpy with the younger pair so I have a feeling time will come when I need to split them up too. I have two large indoor cages for the winter but haven't the room for a third. Outside I have two 4ft hutches and a large run split in two. To make everything go three ways will be difficult.
I would obviously make sure the youngsters go to a good home and possibly my guinea pig holiday sitter would have them as she has recently become pigless and it would be familiar for them as they have aleady stayed there.
Any advice or suggestions gratefully received though!
Yes it is unfair I know but I have 3 plus 1 and the older pig of the trio is starting to get grumpy with the younger pair so I have a feeling time will come when I need to split them up too. I have two large indoor cages for the winter but haven't the room for a third. Outside I have two 4ft hutches and a large run split in two. To make everything go three ways will be difficult.
I would obviously make sure the youngsters go to a good home and possibly my guinea pig holiday sitter would have them as she has recently become pigless and it would be familiar for them as they have aleady stayed there.
Any advice or suggestions gratefully received though!
Gems
Adult Guinea Pig
I'm a little confused about what it is your wanting to do. So am I right in thinking you have 4 boars at the moment, 3 of which are in a group and 1 single. You want to "swap" 2 of the three in the group for 2 sows, then get the 2 remaining boars neutered and put a girl in with each of them?
Doeylicious
Adult Guinea Pig
I'm confused too Gems.
All I will say on the matter is guinea pigs are, funnily enough, animals, not football stickers, you can't just 'swap' them.
Yes that's about the gist of it.
I started with Uncle AJ and his nephew Freddie but had to split them when they had a fight, I then got them a baby each. Nephew Freddie got grumpy when his baby Spud got to a year old and Spud jumped the fence and went to live with Uncle AJ and brother Marley. Now Freddie is on his own and AJ is starting to get grumpy with Spud and Marley who get on fine.
I started with Uncle AJ and his nephew Freddie but had to split them when they had a fight, I then got them a baby each. Nephew Freddie got grumpy when his baby Spud got to a year old and Spud jumped the fence and went to live with Uncle AJ and brother Marley. Now Freddie is on his own and AJ is starting to get grumpy with Spud and Marley who get on fine.
So what would your answer be then, leave them all together and let them kill each other? I am trying to do the responsible thing and try and find a solution that will benefit the welfare my pigs.
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Gems
Adult Guinea Pig
Hmm well whilst technically you may be able to do that it seems a little unfair to me. You took the piggies on so "swapping" them to suit your needs seems a little wrong to me. Also if your wanting to get rescue piggies they may be reluctant to rehome a pair of sows to you as if they are paired up in rescues then they won't want them split as they'll be bonded. Also rescues tend to prioritise piggies they take on so if your wanting to give your boys to a rescue to rehome you may have a lengthy wait on your hands as cases of neglect etc will come before your boys.
Doeylicious
Adult Guinea Pig
I would leave the two boys who do get on together. Boys do fight, unless you see blood, leave them to it, there is a really good thread on here about how boars act that is helping me no end with my two.
As for the other two, I would rehome one if you have to, but possibly get him neutered first so the rescue don't have to pay for that. Then neuter your other one and find him a girlfriend, which again may not be as simple as just getting one, they have to get on too and can fight, as can a pair of sows - my girls really pee each other off sometimes (usually cos Whiskey won't shut up).
Sows are much harder to find than boys - I know I am looking for one!
I took on two boys knowing full well one day they may need to be separated and have a wifey each - I am lucky enough to have room to do this if I need to - but then to be very honest I wouldn't have got them if I didn't as I knew one day they may take offence to one another, and all mine are here for life, no matter what they do I couldn't even imagine which one I would choose to say goodbye to.
Maybe "swapping" was the wrong word to use as I have a potential good home for them already. But yes you're probably right I should just leave things as they are, let the three fight it out and have one lonely pig. Thanks for all your helpful advice and solutions.
Doeylicious
Adult Guinea Pig
That's not really what I said is it!
Read my post again - the gist was
I would leave the two boys who do get on together. Boys do fight, unless you see blood, leave them to it, there is a really good thread on here about how boars act that is helping me no end with my two.
As for the other two, I would rehome one if you have to, but possibly get him neutered first so the rescue don't have to pay for that. Then neuter your other one and find him a girlfriend, which again may not be as simple as just getting one, they have to get on too and can fight, as can a pair of sows - my girls really pee each other off sometimes (usually cos Whiskey won't shut up).
You didn't say you had a home lined up, the way you worded it sorry did cause offence to me as the idea of swapping pets or getting rid of them before trying all other solutions is just not something I would do.
Read my post again - the gist was
I would leave the two boys who do get on together. Boys do fight, unless you see blood, leave them to it, there is a really good thread on here about how boars act that is helping me no end with my two.
As for the other two, I would rehome one if you have to, but possibly get him neutered first so the rescue don't have to pay for that. Then neuter your other one and find him a girlfriend, which again may not be as simple as just getting one, they have to get on too and can fight, as can a pair of sows - my girls really pee each other off sometimes (usually cos Whiskey won't shut up).
You didn't say you had a home lined up, the way you worded it sorry did cause offence to me as the idea of swapping pets or getting rid of them before trying all other solutions is just not something I would do.
Doeylicious
Adult Guinea Pig
That's not really what I said is it!
Read my post again - the gist was
I would leave the two boys who do get on together. Boys do fight, unless you see blood, leave them to it, there is a really good thread on here about how boars act that is helping me no end with my two.
As for the other two, I would rehome one if you have to, but possibly get him neutered first so the rescue don't have to pay for that. Then neuter your other one and find him a girlfriend, which again may not be as simple as just getting one, they have to get on too and can fight, as can a pair of sows - my girls really pee each other off sometimes (usually cos Whiskey won't shut up).
You didn't say you had a home lined up, the way you worded it sorry did cause offence to me as the idea of swapping pets or getting rid of them before trying all other solutions is just not something I would do.
Read my post again - the gist was
I would leave the two boys who do get on together. Boys do fight, unless you see blood, leave them to it, there is a really good thread on here about how boars act that is helping me no end with my two.
As for the other two, I would rehome one if you have to, but possibly get him neutered first so the rescue don't have to pay for that. Then neuter your other one and find him a girlfriend, which again may not be as simple as just getting one, they have to get on too and can fight, as can a pair of sows - my girls really pee each other off sometimes (usually cos Whiskey won't shut up).
You didn't say you had a home lined up, the way you worded it sorry did cause offence to me as the idea of swapping pets or getting rid of them before trying all other solutions is just not something I would do.
Sorry we had cross posted, I hadn't read your last post as I was still posting then lost connection.
I will try and resolve it without letting any go but from past experience I add to my problems by getting more and could end up doing that again. I want to be able to give them a lifestyle they deserve, with roomy accomodation, large runs indoors and out and the more I add to the mix the less space and individual attention they all get.
I will try and resolve it without letting any go but from past experience I add to my problems by getting more and could end up doing that again. I want to be able to give them a lifestyle they deserve, with roomy accomodation, large runs indoors and out and the more I add to the mix the less space and individual attention they all get.
Doeylicious
Adult Guinea Pig
I can see your problem and do sympathise a lot, really I do. Sorry if I came across as harsh - I am going for my boy's pre-op check for his nuetering op tomorrow and am getting all scared and anxious :-S
If you do have a good home lined up then yes it could be a good idea to let one or two go so, as you say, each one can get all the attention it deserves.
Are your piggies Swiss btw? Just wondered from the name! As I have a Swiss and he is so lovely :-)
If you do have a good home lined up then yes it could be a good idea to let one or two go so, as you say, each one can get all the attention it deserves.
Are your piggies Swiss btw? Just wondered from the name! As I have a Swiss and he is so lovely :-)
CiaraPatricia
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I see your dillemma, but if the trio of boars stay friends, and you got your lone boar neutered and a girlfriend, then you'd still only need two cages right?
And if in future if the trio do fight, then maybe you could then think about rehoming the two younger ones? and getting the other boar neutered and a girlfriend too?
Whatever you think is best anyway, obviously you know your pigs the best. I'd keep the trio together unless they actually have a proper fight though.
Oh and I also have boys and girls in cages next to each other, and it doesn't bother the boys, just so you know that it isn't always a problem.
And if in future if the trio do fight, then maybe you could then think about rehoming the two younger ones? and getting the other boar neutered and a girlfriend too?
Whatever you think is best anyway, obviously you know your pigs the best. I'd keep the trio together unless they actually have a proper fight though.
Oh and I also have boys and girls in cages next to each other, and it doesn't bother the boys, just so you know that it isn't always a problem.
I have a lonesome piggie too, he's around 11 months old and had to be sold ( I wish i'd have rescued one but didn't realise I could) on his own has he was too grumpy being with other pigs.
He seems happy enough and lives in the living room with us so we talk to him all the time.
He seems happy enough and lives in the living room with us so we talk to him all the time.
AJ and Freddie are Swiss. I took them on as Freddie was a beaten baby and I felt really sorry for him, he came on antibiotics and full of stitches. A year later he did the same to AJ! The babies, now a year old are Abyssinian.
I'm not going to rush into anything until I'm forced to. They are all fine at the mo as they are in the run all day and they lay next to each other with a C&C divider across the middle. They are in with chickens too so have plenty of company. It's the winter that's worrying me as they will be stuck in a confined space more . They have Nero 3's indoors which can cope with 2 but not really big enough for 3 or I could leave the 3 out and wrap them up well but bring Freddie in and then he'd have no piggie company just cats.
I'm not going to rush into anything until I'm forced to. They are all fine at the mo as they are in the run all day and they lay next to each other with a C&C divider across the middle. They are in with chickens too so have plenty of company. It's the winter that's worrying me as they will be stuck in a confined space more . They have Nero 3's indoors which can cope with 2 but not really big enough for 3 or I could leave the 3 out and wrap them up well but bring Freddie in and then he'd have no piggie company just cats.
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