Pairing 2 bore brothers! Help!

[Mummy2Milo&Felix]

Hello Fellow Guinea lovers

I’m so glad to have found this forum! I am a proud guinea mum to 2 brothers Milo and Felix. (They’ve been amazing for me as I’ve been battling depression for the past few years).
I would like some advice on the appropriate methods on introducing more guineas to the herd please
The internet really confuses me with some of the pairings, so to any experienced guinea owners please help! I want the boys to have the best life possible and I know they do better in herds. So any suggestions and advice on the methods, rules and the best possible way to do this avoiding any potential bad things happening would be so appreciated.

Thank you to anyone who can help
And thank you to the creator of this forum! So helpful!

Lots of blessings and love
Nom (mummy2milo&felix) xoxox

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

As you have a boar pair, I’m afraid you cannot add any other piggies in the same cage with them at all.
A boar pair needs to remain just the two of them at all times, as if you try to add any other piggies in the same cage, then it will cause fights. You can only ever keep two boars together, trying to keep three or more boars together (aside from the fact it requires a huge amount of space) will cause fights, broken bonds and then single piggies having to live in separate cages. Adding more piggies will ruin the bond between your current boys.

You also cannot add any sows (even if your boys were neutered) in the same cage with them because adding any sows will also cause your boys to fight over the sows and will also break your boys bond.

Only sows live in herds, either with or without one neutered boar to any number of sows.

If you want more piggies, you will need to have either

- a separate boar pair and they must be kept in an entirely separate cage to Milo and Felix.

- separate sow pair/group. However, If you were to get a separate sow pair/herd, then they would ideally need to be kept in a different room to your boys so the boys could not smell any sows. Adding sows into the same room as a boar pair can also cause the boars to fight and fall out.

An alternative would be to neuter your boys, wait six weeks for them to become infertile. You would then need to split the boys up into two separate cages and bond them each with their own sows. Never letting the two groups mix.
Finding sows for each of the boars would be best done via dating at a rescue to ensure character compatibility and a successful bond.
However, as you have a successful boar pair with Milo and Felix, splitting them up would seem to be a shame.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

 

[Mummy2Milo&Felix]

Wow! I’m so glad I asked this! Thank you for your response, the internet research I’ve done and then asking the local pet shop was totally telling me different. So thank you for this as I’m more inclined to believe this as everytime I asked the pet shop owner he seemed very iffy with answering but ultimately told me it’s okay to mix.

I appreciate this thank u!

 

[Mummy2Milo&Felix]

I won’t be splitting them up, they are way too bonded with each other

 

[Free Ranger]

A good boar pairing is a joy to behold - they are lucky lads to have you

 

[Piggies&buns]

You’re making a good decision. Pet shops and online searches are sadly full on misinformation. We are frequently contacted (a quick search of our behaviour section will reveal multiple posts on failed boar trios or more) by people needing help when they’ve been sold a trio of young boars following bad advice from pet shops which then turns sour and they all fight or trying to add a third boar to a previously harmonious bonded pair which then breaks their bond. It’s distressing when they end up having to buy separate cages and a piggy ends up having to live alone.

I have a four year old boar pair myself and they are just the best of friends!

 

[Mummy2Milo&Felix]

Bless you everyone Thank you so much they’ve made life worth waking up too if I’m totally frank with everyone. I totally full heartedly am in love with them I’ve guinea pig proofed the house so they get loads of play time, and honestly to break that up seems like such a terrible thing to do to them. I am so glad to have asked this question so Many many thank yous and blessing to you all

 

[Wiebke]

I can only echo the comprehensive advice from @Piggies&buns .

Since you have a perfectly well bonded pair of boars which would be a shame to split up, the best option would be to look for another already well bonded boar pair in a good welfare standard rescue with mandatory quarantine and any necessary vet care. This way you can neatly avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary.
There are currently so many dumped pandemic boom pets now that life is returning to normal that you will be spoilt for choice. Ask the rescue to choose a stably bonded pair that suits most of what you want to get out of your piggies most/goes best with your depression issues rather than age or looks. Adult boar pairs won't give you all the sleepless teenage nights for instant.

Boars work best either in pairs or then in larger bachelor herds (needing lots of space) but the most unstable combinations are trios and quartets. Once you have started with a boar pair, then there is unfortunately no convenient one cage option. Teenage boar trio fall-outs (quartets are much rarer but the fail rate is even higher in a conventional pet shop cage setting) are sadly very much a staple in our Behaviour section.
If you are pushed for space (seeing that a boar cage should be at least 2x5 C&C grids or 160x60 cm, you can consider stacking the cages rather than keeping them next to each other.

Please take the time to also read these information links here for more practical in-depth information that we cannot repeat in every single post. You will hopefully find all the links very helpful and interesting for making an informed decision
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
Cage Size Guide

Rescue Locator (these are our carefully vetted good welfare standard guinea pig rescues where we can guarantee that you are in very safe and experienced hands for total peace of mind)
Additionally for the London area you can also consider contacting the RSPCA Middlesex North West & South Hertfordshire branch as they also often have got guinea pigs. They just rehome but do not offer any dating.
Middlesex North West & South Hertfordshire Branch - Find a pet - rspca.org.uk - RSPCA

Here is the link to our extensive practical information resource on a very range of topics (it is currently one of the most extensive around), which you may find both helpful and fascination for bookmarking, browsing, reading and re-reading at need: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Please take the time to do your research so you can make an informed decision as to how you want to proceed.