New Guinea Pig Boar Questions

PingandChipy

PingandChipy

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,

I've had guinea pigs for decades now but my last ones passed away about 2 years ago. I've been missing them terribly and had been looking online for guinea pigs at rescue places and people wanting to rehome with no luck. I went into a petstore with a friend of mine and saw a sweet little boy pig approx 7 or 8 weeks old. I went back a couple times and couldn't resist and brought him home.

Now the dilemma is allergies and he is single. I was hoping my allergies wouldn't be too bad and honestly I can't tell right now because I have a cold. But I used to have all my pigs houses outside in the shed. There is electricity and I have an oil radiator I can hook up, plus I also have special heatpads made for guinea pigs/rabbits that are plugged in and warm all the time.

My 3 bunnies are living outside there now free range. I have a wooden hutch in there my husband has made.

Anyhow he is inside right now in our spare room but I feel like he is going to be so lonely. I was thinking when he gets older I can have him neutered by the Vet I trust. And then get a female for a friend.

I feel so guilty though. I think he would be happier out in the shed watching the bunnies rather than terrified being inside. But I don't know. If you were me what would you do?
 
He is too young to be alone, I would not wait until he is old enough to be neutered and find a female - I would bond him with another boar asap. He won’t be able to be neutered for months yet and then will still have a six week wait before being able to go with a female after he is neutered - it’s simply too long for a baby to be alone.

There is no benefit in putting him outside to watch rabbits. They can not communicate so he would be just as alone out there with them as he is indoors.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
But then when they hit the teenager years they will fight most likely?
 
PingandChipy said:
But then when they hit the teenager years they will fight most likely?
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Not true. It is perfectly fine to keep two boars together - I have two boars myself. It is about character compatibility and mutual liking - you have to find a suitable piggy match for him. I would get on to a rescue centre and ask for their help in finding him a suitable companion
 
Ahhh okay. There aren't any males available right now where I live. But I will continually check. I know there might be one available in 3 weeks.
 
I gavehim a stuffed animal for now. He was alone at the store too poor guy.
 
Yes. You're probably better off going for an older male and the younger one so they're not going through the hormonal stage at the same time.
 
The forum has some great bonding guides. Are there no rescue centres near you?
 
PingandChipy said:
Is it fairly easy to introduce them at this stage?
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You have to follow the correct procedure, but yes the procedure itself is straightforward - it’s all explained in the guides I’ve linked in.
Julie is right though - an adult piggy who isn’t subject to the rates of hormone rise of a teen would be best. If you were to get another youngster then you have absolutely no idea what will happen when they hit their teens
 
I've checked the rescues in my area and they only have bonded pigs so I have put an Ad up looking for an older boar. In the meantime, he is in my shed in a hutch, and I'm watching him on a webcam I've put up. He is zooming around popcorning lol. I can see him looking out at the rabbits, too.

One side of the hutch is completely enclosed with a small hole opening into the bigger side. I have a special heatpad set up and it is inside his GuineaDad fleece blanket pocket. I've also put a cardboard box around it and stuffed it with hay. I put my thermometer in and its 20 degrees celcius! Woot!

So I'm happy he is all warm and set up and hopefully I can recover from this allergy attack/cold. My webcam can see in the dark and it is hilarious watching him.
 
I don't know the rescues near you but here some rescues don't advertise their single boars because 1. They don't want to field endless queries of people wanting to adopt just one piggy and 2. They often have a waiting list for singles. So it might be worth contacting the rescues directly to explain your situation. That way they can advise if they have a suitable solution or perhaps get in touch with you if a single male does come in
 
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