New boars - which cage?

[Newbiepiggy123]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading all the really helpful posts here whilst considering whether to get guinea pigs. I've now fallen in love with a pair of boars I have seen and am about to rehome them. They come with a cage but this is too small (40 x 100 x 40) and they are two large boys!

I want to get them a 2x4 C&C cage (unfortunately I don't have room for a 2x5) and so am wondering whether it is best to get them settled in the cage they are already used to when I first take them in and move them to the C&C in a couple of weeks time, or should I move them to the C&C straight away so all the stress of rehoming is out of the way in one go?

Thanks!

 

[LittleGems]

I’m my opinion I think you should to avoid stress,however i am not an expert

 

[HeatherW]

If you can't get a 2x5, would you have room for a 3x4 instead?

 

[MinnieZvonar]

I personally don’t think that there will be difference in which time you move them into the C&C, either way they will be stressed in the new environment. I would probably move them in there straight away. They would get confused being moved into a new environment, and then into another one a few weeks later.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading all the really helpful posts here whilst considering whether to get guinea pigs. I've now fallen in love with a pair of boars I have seen and am about to rehome them. They come with a cage but this is too small (40 x 100 x 40) and they are two large boys!

I want to get them a 2x4 C&C cage (unfortunately I don't have room for a 2x5) and so am wondering whether it is best to get them settled in the cage they are already used to when I first take them in and move them to the C&C in a couple of weeks time, or should I move them to the C&C straight away so all the stress of rehoming is out of the way in one go?

Thanks!

Hi! You can get them in their normal cage or you can wait.
Piggies always need or re-establish their dominance in any new territory (whether that is a new home or a new cage).
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

In either case, please use already scent marked bedding and furniture when moving. Also rub down the new cage with some soiled bedding or rag, so it smells like 'theirs'. This hopefully prevents major problems; a change of cages can derail bonded adult boars if they have underlying problem, so the more you can minimise the step up, the better. Most adult boys will get back together after a cooling down time out, though, if they get into trouble with each other.

When you get the new cage, ordering two extra grids for a temporary divider in case of problems or illness is not a bad idea.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I would put them straight into their new c&c, no point in changing their environment more than you have to. Upstairs levels don’t count towards the total space, but it may be worth adding in a loft if possible so that they have another area to get away from each other.

 

[Newbiepiggy123]

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. I think I'll go straight into the C&C then.

If you can't get a 2x5, would you have room for a 3x4 instead?

I would put them straight into their new c&c, no point in changing their environment more than you have to. Upstairs levels don’t count towards the total space, but it may be worth adding in a loft if possible so that they have another area to get away from each other.

I'm a bit cramped for space at the moment and I think 2x4 is as big as I can go! However, one of the reasons I want to get C&C is so I can extend it at a later date if we move to a bigger place and I am definitely considering getting a loft as well.

 

[Reenie]

I would put their current cage inside the C&C, but open it so they can choose to come out and explore. Either remove an end, or take the top off all together.
Look forward to seeing pics!