New companion question for a bereaved male piggy.

Chewpigs

Chewpigs

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi guys, my adored piggy Mr Cherry has just died after a short illness. I'm heartbroken, but want to start thinking about options for new companions for my other piggy Martin so he doesn't get lonely. I have a large insulated piggy garden shed (2 floors) with tube access to a large outdoor run. The pigs also have lots of free range fun in our enclosed garden as well. I have room for 3 or 4 pigs and was thinking of 3 girls for Martin to live with and therefore increasing the number of pigs in the group and the happiness of them all in general. Would three young girls be a good option? Martin is 3 and the girls at the rescue centre are 7 months, 7 months and 8 weeks. He is fully neutered. What are your thoughts guys? Martin and Mr Cherry are my first piggies and although I think we gave them an excellent life, I'm still a fairly new owner and would be grateful for some advice about how to help Martin be as happy as possible once he's been through his bereavement. Thanks xx
 
I think that sounds like a fabulous idea! Are you able to take him in for a date so he can meet them? I have 1 boy to 4 girls and they love being part of a group. It would be worth asking about the possibility of a bonding experience for him at the rescue as there would be a few personalities to see if it would a good fit for all of them :)
 
Chewpigs said:
Hi guys, my adored piggy Mr Cherry has just died after a short illness. I'm heartbroken, but want to start thinking about options for new companions for my other piggy Martin so he doesn't get lonely. I have a large insulated piggy garden shed (2 floors) with tube access to a large outdoor run. The pigs also have lots of free range fun in our enclosed garden as well. I have room for 3 or 4 pigs and was thinking of 3 girls for Martin to live with and therefore increasing the number of pigs in the group and the happiness of them all in general. Would three young girls be a good option? Martin is 3 and the girls at the rescue centre are 7 months, 7 months and 8 weeks. He is fully neutered. What are your thoughts guys? Martin and Mr Cherry are my first piggies and although I think we gave them an excellent life, I'm still a fairly new owner and would be grateful for some advice about how to help Martin be as happy as possible once he's been through his bereavement. Thanks xx
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Sorry to hear that you lost your piggy. I am sure Martin will be a very happy boy.
A date is always a good idea, but as the girls are pretty young it should be an easy bond.
Your set up sounds great. Can l just check that their free range time is closely supervised? Cats, foxes and birds of prey are all potential threats even if your garden is enclosed.
Looking forward to photos of the little herd
 
I’m glad the girls being young will help. Should I expect some grumbling from Martin whilst he exerts his authority? I was going to put the girls in a run on the grass and let Martin free range around them for first introductions. What are the next advisable steps?

Their free range time is only when we’re there and the run they use when we aren’t there is fox proof.👍🏼
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
I think that sounds like a fabulous idea! Are you able to take him in for a date so he can meet them? I have 1 boy to 4 girls and they love being part of a group. It would be worth asking about the possibility of a bonding experience for him at the rescue as there would be a few personalities to see if it would a good fit for all of them :)
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I’m hoping some bonding time will be possible, but I have the space to keep them separate at mine and introduce them slowly. Any tips on dating greatly appreciated. Xx
 
The black tube on the left goes off to the large run on the grass. I hope the new girls will like it!
 
So sorry for your loss and I think it’s wonderful that you are thinking of Martin’s needs while your own grief is still raw.
When I was left with a lone boar I had him neutered and he lived very happily with 2 sows .
Bonding took about 30 seconds before he decided that his life was definitely looking up.
He was a very happy boy for the rest of his life.
Hope things work out well for you.
 
Merab's Slave said:
So sorry for your loss and I think it’s wonderful that you are thinking of Martin’s needs while your own grief is still raw.
When I was left with a lone boar I had him neutered and he lived very happily with 2 sows .
Bonding took about 30 seconds before he decided that his life was definitely looking up.
He was a very happy boy for the rest of his life.
Hope things work out well for you.
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Thanks so much. I really hope so. He came out of the front of the shed for a few seconds which was lovely. He hasn’t been out since Mr Cherry died.😢
 
Chewpigs said:
I’m glad the girls being young will help. Should I expect some grumbling from Martin whilst he exerts his authority? I was going to put the girls in a run on the grass and let Martin free range around them for first introductions. What are the next advisable steps?

Their free range time is only when we’re there and the run they use when we aren’t there is fox proof.👍🏼
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Martin will hump the girls when he first meets them. Ususlly the girls will tell him to stop and eventually it will calm down.
A meeting through the run is a good idea initially. The actual introduction needs to be on neutral territory.
This might be helpful
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
 
I'm very sorry for your loss and sadly I'm in exactly the same position as you having lost one of our two neutered boys last week. Your set-up looks great and I hope Martin adapts well to his new friends.
 
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