Pick Up The Guinea's Tomorrow - Couple Questions

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Obezianka

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So.. I pick up 4 guinea's tomorrow all boars, I have 2 C&C cages ready for them.

I know alot as I have read many things but one thing i am not sure

Currently, the 4 boars are all babies and are with other boars too, all babies

I will split them into pairs as boar trio and quadro won't work.

Questions then

1. With 4 boars, how should I pair them, what kind of bonding would I need to do if they all already live together? I doubt it will simply be take first piggy out of carrier but in cage 1, 2nd pig in cage 1, 3rd pig in cage 2 and 4th pig in cage 3.

they are 8 weeks old, and the cages are grid 2x3 but can be extended when they get older if more room is needed

2. They have been handled every day since birth, should I handle them every day, in their pairings, or 1 pig at a time?

3. Any issues having the 2 cages connecting next to each other, its pretty much a 2x6 so with divide wall in the middle it akes 2 2x3 slots, would this be ok?

I am getting boars as they need a home. I have 2 different bags of nugets to try, 1 big bag of hay, and i got my veggies in ready, i have nail clippers, a brush, and guinea pig shampoo, i have pet disinfectant, and dust free shavings for bedding, i have 2 hideys and 2 waterbottles and 4 food bowls. i have a vet 5 minutes walk away. Hope i didnt forget anything

thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks
 
Obezianka said:
So.. I pick up 4 guinea's tomorrow all boars, I have 2 C&C cages ready for them.

I know alot as I have read many things but one thing i am not sure

Currently, the 4 boars are all babies and are with other boars too, all babies

I will split them into pairs as boar trio and quadro won't work.

Questions then

1. With 4 boars, how should I pair them, what kind of bonding would I need to do if they all already live together? I doubt it will simply be take first piggy out of carrier but in cage 1, 2nd pig in cage 1, 3rd pig in cage 2 and 4th pig in cage 3.

they are 8 weeks old, and the cages are grid 2x3 but can be extended when they get older if more room is needed

2. They have been handled every day since birth, should I handle them every day, in their pairings, or 1 pig at a time?

3. Any issues having the 2 cages connecting next to each other, its pretty much a 2x6 so with divide wall in the middle it akes 2 2x3 slots, would this be ok?

I am getting boars as they need a home. I have 2 different bags of nugets to try, 1 big bag of hay, and i got my veggies in ready, i have nail clippers, a brush, and guinea pig shampoo, i have pet disinfectant, and dust free shavings for bedding, i have 2 hideys and 2 waterbottles and 4 food bowls. i have a vet 5 minutes walk away. Hope i didnt forget anything

thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks
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Hi and welcome!

I would recommend to keep all four boars together at first, so you can see who gets on best with who. Split the two most dominant boars, latest when they hit the hormonal teenage months at around 4 months old. Please brace yourself that they will have to establish a hierarchy amongst themselves in new territory, so leave out any houses with just one exit.

2x3 grid cages are the minimum recommendation for two guinea pigs - while 2x6 cage is fine for 4 piggies, as soon as you split, you need a bit of extra "common ground". We generally recommend 2x4 or even 2x5 grid cages, especially for sub-adult boars. You may consider building upwards if necessary - but a lot depends on how your boys develop and what the dynamics are when they hit the hormones. The good thing about C&C cages is that they are very flexible!
Please make sure that each boar has his own hidey, bottle and bowl, each same item well away from the others, so no boy can become too possessive; the same goes for access to unlimites hay - please have at least two places, so there is always somewhere that cannot be blocked. Cardboard boxes with an exit on opposing sides make good temporary hideys - or you can even peg old handkerchiefs to the grids to create a tent if necessary.

Here is our "starter kit" information bundle. We have got lots of information at the top of our various Care sections, which you may find interesting and helpful in the coming weeks, but you are always welcome to ask any questions you may find in there.
Quick " Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners

As we have got members from all over the world, we find it very helpful of you please added your country, state/province or UK county, so we can tailor any advice to what is really available and possible where you are. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. thank you!
 
thankyou!

I will do as you say you hve been very helpful, will pull divide for now. I have loads of cardboard so will add extra caverns for them, stopping off at pet store then tomorrow to get 2 extra bottles so theres plenty.

I hope it wont be hard to tell the dominnt ones, soon as that period comes then i will look to pair out and then split and extend the cages to 2x4 as i have grids enough for that

thanks again
 
Good luck with your new piggies. I hope we'll see some pictures in the future! And I have 4 boys too, though I got mine at separate times so haven't got the info you are after. But regarding handling, I think it's down to the piggies, as I can get my boys out individually or I can get a pair out at a time..
 
thankyou :) i will see what they are like

now i have to think of 4 names
 
It's so exciting, do you know what 4 you are getting already? Or will you chose tommorrow?
 
When handling boys, it helps if you respect the hierarchy, i.e. you always start with the top boar whether it is feeding or handling etc. ;)
 
Oooh more handy info, i see how that wou;ld be tho, respect the top dog, i mean piggy :p

I don't know yet

i will post photos tomorrow hopefully when they are back safe
 
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