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Not Sure What To Do For The Best !

T

tracey madigan

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
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Location
Cheshire
i have two skinny pigs who lived together but I wouldn't say brilliantly bonded as in didn't sleep together etc .
I added two baby pigs to them and there is no fighting as such but the two skinnies are now much closer and get annoyed with the babies when they run around !
I now realize that the cage I have for them is not big enough for them but I don't have space for a bigger one so don't know whether better to keep them as I know that they are loved and looked after or to rehome the two babies with someone so that everyone would have more space ?
I feel so guilty as I love them all :(
 
What size is their current cage? And are they girls or boys?

It will also be worth adding your location to your profile so that we can help you a bit better :)
 
Sorry 4 girls ,cage is 120 by 75 cm which I now realize is too small ,they do go in a run for a big part of the day x
 
Ah okay yes it is too small, it's a shame you're unable to expand it if they're getting along well.

It's a difficult decision to make, but they will definitely need more space :(
 
The skinnies get on better and just seem irritated with the younger pigs but no fighting ,I just think as they want to run around more as they are younger maybe x
 
It's great that there's no fighting, but that cage size isn't quite big enough for the minimum size for 2 piggies so it's not adequate for 4 I'm afraid. Have you got a picture of your current set up?
 
Here it is ,I had a mesh lid made for ventilation as I didn't think the wooden one let enough air in x

IMG_5871.webp
 
It's 4ft by 2ft minimum for two girls (I'm not great with cms) but looking at that cage it looks about right for 2 :)

Would you be able to expand it a couple of feet maybe?
 
Would it be possible to expand upwards and have an additional layer for the two babies? That way each pair would be in a 120cm x 75cm space?
 
Not without it overhanging the end of the breakfast bar ,I did have a 150cm cage but the actual surface they had to live in was smaller because the base tapered in ,I have driven myself nuts with the square foot calculator lol
Maybe The older two are just a bit grumpy and they would be like that regardless ? I just wonder if I am being selfish keeping all 4 when they could possibly have more space with someone else ?
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
That looks lovely and ventilated, it's a great enclosure! Did you make it?
Click to expand...
No it's the large living world enclosure ,I just had the lid made . It couldn't be a two level as the sides are Perspex so there would be no access ,I could get two 120cages and stack them and split into pairs but don't think they would be gaining much and seems a shame to split them unless they will really benefit x
 
It's a difficult call but I guess your only two options are try and expand their cage, maybe move it to a different location? Or find another home for the little ones :(
 
There is literally no where else that's the problem as I have a dog crate in that room also and already got rid of the dining table to make space for this ,is it cruel to keep them you think ?
 
It is a lovely enclosure, but really not enough space for four, and I think you already know this.
It is clear you are a great owner and have a wonderful home to offer, but maybe 4 pigs are just too many?
You wouldn't be the first person on this Forum to take on more piggies, and then realize it was a bit too much.

I think re-homing the 2 babies sounds like a good solution, and means your older piggies would have a beautiful enclosure and lots of space.
 
If i could find someone on the group who could give them a lovely home that would be a possiblilty as i really wouldnt want them going to just "anyone" and at least that way i would see that they are ok and happy etc . I feel so awful atm about it but i am trying to think of whats best for them and not me , i dont think they are unhappy but i suppose as they get bigger things may be worse :(
 
Have you looked at the recommended rescues on the forum? They would be able to help find them a great home :)
 
You wouldn't be abandoning them, you care about them and you just want what's best for them. You just want them to have the best future, there's nothing wrong with that :)
 
We have a square landing but it has 4 bedroom doors and a bathroom door all going off it so cant put something in the middle x
 
I had to find a Space years ago for some piggies to help a friend. I found the landing had a big area to hold a large cage on a stand.
Sorry just trying to rack my brain for you.
 
beckyb said:
I had to find a Space years ago for some piggies to help a friend. I found the landing had a big area to hold a large cage on a stand.
Sorry just trying to rack my brain for you.
Click to expand...
Thankyou .all advice is appreciated x
 
I had to surrender 2 guinea pigs to a rescue a couple og years ago. I still ask after the remaini g one (she is bonded into a herd now that her companion has died). It is so hard to let them go but at least a decent rescue will properly home check.
 
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