Proud to have home 3 piggies, intro and question, and literally just heard chirping. Is this bad?

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Guineaboarpig

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I am the proud owner of a trio of guinea pigs. All brothers got them today. I understand there is a possibility that one boar might need to come out of the relationship and a new friend found for him if the relationship breaks down adn a hierarchy is formed.

I have large cage 3 home each with double exit 3 water bottle. Hay scattered around cage with carrot including the bedding they traveled home in

I couldn’t leave 1 boar behind and leave a pair splitting a family. If it comes to needing to house separately then will be a c and c o BC ground level and second on table

Is there a particular age to be concern about?They were born 2/9. They already feel a good healthy weight. I was going to weigh on putting in cage but the battery is dead so ordered new scales off Amazon.

I am aware of dominance stages in males. In hidey all 3 were snuggled together in corner. Now on cage 2 are in one hidey and the other is in another. Very quiet. I’m nervous if they will start to drink from the water. I will prepare cucumber for veggie time so they get water

They all snuggle together and have lived together since birth. They left their mother at 3 weeks. I would like to post pictures of my pigs in the photo forum if that is ok. They are short hair but the hair is quite thicker on one I’m curious to identify breed.

They are definitely boys as they had the obvious bulge where the penis is housed(can I say that on here if not sorry).

I will be feeding them their veggies and tempting them with treats, so they can be used to me.

I would like to enjoy being part of the community here so any tips on that is welcome.

As I was about to post that one of the pigs chirped like a bird for a good minute. Is this something to be worry about it was quite alarming I wondered what on earth for a minute. Are they ok? He has stopped now
 
Hi and :wel: I would strongly suggest you see which two get on best once they’re settled in, then split into a pair and single, and take the single dating so he can find a friend. Trio boars rarely make it through their teens (4-14 months) with the bond intact. And they need 1sq metre of space each. In any case you have a little time to work them out.

Leave them to settle in for 5-7 days. You can just put hay and food in, and poo pick. But no handling or trying to hand feed etc. Cover the cage with a blanket so they feel safer as well.

No one knows what chirping means noisy know you’re blessed as not many piggies do it. Have a read of the guides I’ve linked below. Their testicles haven’t descended yet so you can’t tell by that. But you can feel for the presence/absence of the penis ridge above the slit. Or look for the presence/absence of a fleshy seal just inside the slit. Do double check as pet shops have been know. To missex them.

Keep pellets to a tablespoon each. So you need three bowls. Veg 50g or a cup. They can have lettuce, bell pepper, coriander and cucumber daily. And lots and lots and lots of hay.
New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information

I forgot to add, don’t feed treats too often. Leave them to settle in then you can start with hand feeding them their veg rather than treats. Sparingly feed high calcium veg like spinach, kale and parsley. Also, being related doesn’t mean anything when it comes to the bond. Just like with humans, some siblings don’t get on.
 
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:wel: And :agr:

I am afraid you have taken on a very big risk in attempting to keep a boar trio, they are highly likely to fight and their bond is not likely to work out for the long term.

How big is their cage? It needs to be at least three square metres to attempt to keep a trio.

If they fall out, then you won’t be able to keep one in a cage on a table. The piggy who ends up single will need to be kept in a separate cage on the ground next to the pair so they can all see each other and communicate through the bars to prevent loneliness. The pair which are left together will need a cage of 6ft x 2ft/180cm x 60cm. The piggy who is single will need a cage of 4ft x 2ft/120cm x 60cm while he is alone but as soon as he gets a new friend, they will then also need a cage of 6ft x 2ft. You can then put them on the table after the single is no longer alone.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
 
I will keep an eye out for obvious pair of bonding. I know the possibility may be slim it works.

If it does become necessary to separate them I didn’t plan to leave one on his own on the 2 levels. My apologies I should have mentioned that although I had planned to have cages on 2 levels the brother who is removed would find him a friend. I would never leave a piggy on a cage alone for their welfare. If there are 2 bonded pair is it ok to have on 2 separate levels or should they both be side to side?

They didn’t come from pet store, the private area all 3 look identical. There’s a fleshy bulge down there that looks like all the male pictures in the sexing guides. I did feel too above and you could feel something was there. There was no Y shape like a sow.

The current cage measures 162x60. I am doing work at home over the next week to improve my own living accommodation, like moving more and the area where the pigs are and knowing the boys will need more space growing up I am looking at making my own grid cage. Pads and fleece liners is the bedding. They were kept on fleece before so keeping with that as bedding.

I have ordered extra things for them, more tunnels, beds, fleece so there will always be plenty for each pig. Am maintaining 3 feeding stations as advised.

Also I had some relief and was happy when I asked my landlord is it ok to get and he was fine with guineas. Also the council website do stress there is permissions for cats and dogs but not rodents including guinea pigs. So I am free to make the environment as fit as I can with my pigs. I had worked myself up that I want guineas so bad I was prepared to move. Had even researched places. So I have one less stress.

will keep off on excessive treats, I have a throw covering 3/4 of the living space right now.

The veg was a bit of a minefield working out which is a daily. Which is a couple times. Which is weekly. So thanks for noting the ones that are daily. I have romaine lettuce in fridge at present alongside cucumber and carrots. Will definitely get peppers. Any colour goes?

I just need to now register them at local vet. Indicate small animals so looked fine to me. I will search vetposts here for feedback on the chain companies.
 
The chances of them making it are slim to none, so do prepare to separate. Don’t wait until they come to blows. When they’re separated you need to have them living alongside each other (as neighbours) so the singleton can still have interaction. Once he’s paired off it’s okay to stack their cages. Recommended vets on the link below. I would get them booked in with the vet for a general check next week.
Vet Locator
 
162x60cm is a little too small for even two boars (particularly boars who aren’t adult) - two boars need 180cm x 60cm and it is definitely too small for three.(for three you need a cage measuring 300cm x 100cm - three square metres). Character compatibility comes before anything when it comes to a successful bond but lack of space will be a contributing factor to a fall out.

changing their cage, extending it etc will constitute a change of environment and will cause them to have a hierarchy sort out again. If they are already unstable by the time you give them a bigger cage, then it could well be the final straw and changing the cage could cause them to fight. You therefore need to give them as much space as possible as soon as possible if they are to stand a chance. When you do change their cage, you need to keep soiled bedding and put it in the new cage so that it smells of them. It can help them realise it’s still their space, but it will still cause them to reestablish their hierarchy.

H Any colour pepper is fine. Carrots no more than one small amount once per week.
 
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May I ask what grid configuration is most appropriate? I will get more from amazon now

I wish I had this forum found sooner. A few website gave the size I have as right for 3. althougg in inches so I converted to cm2

I better hurry my home sorting then. Last thing I want is to be neglecting to my Guineas with inadequate housing.
 
They haven’t drank from water bottle yet. I’m going to put veggies in at 6pm it will be a regular time once a day for the veggies. Am I getting too anxious for nothing. They are all on the homes so far and haven’t left.
 
Sorry for all the questions. Can a cage be any shape with grids. Like an L shape if it matches the correct square meter
 
Guineaboarpig said:
Sorry for all the questions. Can a cage be any shape with grids. Like an L shape if it matches the correct square meter
Click to expand...

Yes it can be
8 grids x 3 grids gives just over 3 square metres

Get extra grids, so if they fall out then you will have grids to hand to split the cage in half straight away. A 4 grid x 3 grid cage is fine for two boars to live in.

and don’t worry about them not having drunk yet. Itll take them time to settle in. They will most likely venture out to eat and drink when you aren’t there. Ensure hay is right next to them at all time so they can eat it without having to come out if they don’t want to
 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Cube-Wire-Storage-Shelves/dp/B0735GRJXY are 9 slots so look safe for piggies.
I tried to count the grids in the photo looks like 24 or just about.
I expect it is unlikely to have a coroplast sheet big enough to make base in one.
Where do you usually get it from?

If a loft space does not count for their square living areas because of run what benefit do piggies get from a loft. Just an extra place to chill?

thanks
 
Guineaboarpig said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Cube-Wire-Storage-Shelves/dp/B0735GRJXY are 9 slots so look safe for piggies.
I tried to count the grids in the photo looks like 24 or just about.
I expect it is unlikely to have a coroplast sheet big enough to make base in one.
Where do you usually get it from?

If a loft space does not count for their square living areas because of run what benefit do piggies get from a loft. Just an extra place to chill?

thanks
Click to expand...

this is 23 panels. You will need 22 to make a 8 x 3 cage, or 24 to make a 9x3 cage. That doesn’t leave you with any spare to be able to split the cage in half if they fight though but if you keep the cage they are in now you can just put one of the piggies into that cage

you can get correx from sign makers or eBay. as an alternative if you can’t get correx you can use plastic sheeting.

You’re right a loft is just an extra level, it doesn’t count towards the cage size. You don’t need to have a loft .
 
Plan seems to be coming together in my mind. Thanks!

so I can order 2 pack of these. If I need to separate I will put the separate boar into the 162x60 cage next to c and c and then make plans to get him a buddy.
Then adjust c and c and build second for if and when the separate boat gets his mate.

I wonder that as there is 2 snuggling in a house together and 1 on own at if it is an initial indication of closeness.

there seems to be a development every time I post as I heard some quiet pig talk from one.
Going out for a walk soon so maybe they will be venturing when I am gone. I can hear the water bottle ever so slightly just now too. Someone is getting brave
 
Possibly, but snuggling isn’t always a sign. Wait a little longer till they’ve settled in. How old are they again?
 
Born on 2nd September. So 8 weeks.

I went out for a walk earlier and when I got home the veg I had put out had magically disappeared!
 
I have all the grids ordered. Deliver 2/11 I did even more buying today online. With the chance of lockdown now likely wanting to try to get everything extra before.

I even got a hand held vac for poops, I do have a mini garden shovel too I use at present. Athick tunnel which will be perfect to get them in to weigh like in the videoNew scales I don’t trust new battery to work. More coseys in fleece and more fleece blankets. and more bags of hay. I’m not panic buying loo roll I’m buying hay. I avoided pigloo and other plastic homes as can see a piggy getting trapped inside.

At 8 weeks (and 2 days) they all seem pretty big pigs. I have seen baby guinea before, older at 10-12 weeks and mine look bigger than these too. Maybe they are going to be large boys growing up. Or are fast starters. They did feel a good weight when moving into cage. I will weigh them in the week, maybe Wednesday as 9 weeks for the first.

I need to read up on guinea pig genes and all the science. 3 pigs all with same mum and dad yet such difference in colours is simply fascinating!
 
Aww, best of luck with your 3 boys! You never know, they might make it, and if not I think you have a fab Plan B in mind ☺️

(I have 2 boys who got on each other’s nerves during the teen phase, but are now best buds and do everything together)
 
Guineaboarpig said:
I expect it is unlikely to have a coroplast sheet big enough to make base in one.
Where do you usually get it from?
Click to expand...
I ordered my correx off Amazon. Though one of these won't be big enough for a 8x3 (it just fix for my 2 boar's 3x4) so I'm not sure what you would do about that as I think this is the standard size correx sheets come in.
1x Black Correx Sheet 4mm x 1.2 x 2.4m for Hard Floor and Surface Protection Flexible Lightweight Water Resistant Corrugated Floor Protective Cover Plastic Board: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Guineaboarpig said:
I need to read up on guinea pig genes and all the science. 3 pigs all with same mum and dad yet such difference in colours is simply fascinating!
Click to expand...
It is interesting isn't it. My boys are brothers but Elvis (left) is short haired with a crest and Eddie (right) is longish haired with no crest. I'd love to know what their parents looked like but I never will as they were rescues and I don't even know what kind of home they had before.
IMG_20200809_185501610_HDR.jpg
Good luck with your 3!
 
aww Those piggies are so handsome! I can see the difference in coats. And how big they look too as adults! You’d never think a lot of brothers were related at all on appearance!

Looking at mine the mostly black pig does seem to have a thicker coat. Will have to see how he develops. I think on the coriplast if can make 2 bases I can stick them together and where they join cut them down low and fix another piece over where they join to stop mess and stuff going down them.

I can make a big home area work just doing a lot of sorting today to clear this area and then move a cabinet and will have a really big area for the new home design. I just have to be careful I don’t do my back in lol. And now with new lockdown not gonna be going anyway. Looks like I got my boys right on time. Praise the piggie gods!
 
I’m thinking a lot about my piggies at the moment. Because of the advice and relationship issues that my trio may have. I want to prepare for if I need to separate one and get him a friend. If something is on my mind I have to get it out or I keep thinking of all the multiple scenarios. And then think of more things too and end up with a million considerations

would it be worth considering a neuter if separated as I have read it is less likely a bond when formed will fail between the opposite sex?

if one goes boar dating and has a bond and then it breaks down to separate , could then be in situation where I’d need 2 more pigs to bond and then we end up with lots of piggies!.

already been checking out rescues, they don’t have dozens and dozens of pigs like I expected. Also Teas has good vibes from posts here and is listed as a rescue, do they adopt pigs or is it set up for the elderly and ill piggies?

I think they are settling ok. water and food is going down. I heard them moving in the night. And each veg feeding so far I’ve gone out for a walk so they can have alone time and when I’m back most has gone.some cute squeaks occasionally but no other sounds.
 
Guineaboarpig said:
And now with new lockdown not gonna be going anyway. Looks like I got my boys right on time. Praise the piggie gods!
Click to expand...
The same thing happened to me. I got my 2 just before the February lockdown. How odd!
I'm afraid I can't answer any of your questions on adopting and bonding but someone who can should be along soon. It sounds like they're settling ok though
 
If you are able to keep a functioning boar pair, then your single boar will not be able to be neutered and bonded with a sow unless you can house the sow/boar pair in a completely different room away from your boar pair. Your functioning boar pair will not be able to be in the presence of a sow at all, as the smell of a sow in the same room will cause the boar pair to fight with each other (even if they can never actually get to the sow)
Your single boar will have to be bonded with another, character compatible, boar if all four are to be in the same room.


if you go dating at a rescue with the single boar, then it is less likely to break down because your piggy will have chosen his own friend which results in a good bond as they will have mutual liking and compatibility. It’s only if you buy a piggy on spec from a pet shop for the single piggy that you then run the risk of the bond failing and then ending up with needing more piggies and more cages
 
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Thanks! That settles that then. If and when the time comes some boar speed dating will be sourced. I don’t want a risk of a fall out nor a potentially ill piggy. The plan is to have all in same room.

I just hope lockdown doesn’t throw a spanner in the works. But if it needed to be during I guess animal welfare counts as a reason to travel. I’d have to check.
 
Guineaboarpig said:
Thanks! That settles that then. If and when the time comes some boar speed dating will be sourced. I don’t want a risk of a fall out nor a potentially ill piggy. The plan is to have all in same room.

I just hope lockdown doesn’t throw a spanner in the works. But if it needed to be during I guess animal welfare counts as a reason to travel. I’d have to check.
Click to expand...

During the last lockdown, rehoming from centres had to stop. If your boys fail, then the single piggy will be able to live in a separate cage alongside the pair. He can stay like that for whatever period of time is necessary in order for you to find him a new friend - you won’t have to rush. Provided their cages are next to each other, then the single will have interaction through the bars so won’t be lonely.
 
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