Quick question

[LunaGirl1]

As I'm getting closer to getting piggies I'm trying to figure out what gender is better for a new owner. I've read that boys are more aggressive and I'm worried if a fight started while I was at school I couldn't do anything so I'm leaning more towards girls.
Please let me know as I want to rescue and I wouldn't want to skip over males due to my thoughts of aggression <3

 

[Rivervixen]

I have two boys and they’re very happy together (minus Bruno’s humping episodes) a boar bond is a wonderful thing I wouldn’t rule out boys, I know lots of forum members have a happy pair of boys as well!

My two

 

[Piggies&buns]

Any bond comes down to character compatibility - sows can fight and fall out just the same as boars if they are not compatible. Boars tend to mellow as they get older and become friendlier, whereas sows can get grumpier as they age.
The important thing is to get a pair that are well matched and compatible. The best way to achieve this is to get them from a rescue centre and not buy from a pet shop so it’s great you are looking to rescue. The rescue will make sure you get a well bonded and healthy pair regardless of their sex

I have a boar pair myself and they are fantastic! They certainly are mellowing as they age and becoming more relaxed.

The important thing if you do get boys is to make sure you get a 6ft cage/hutch as boars need a lot more room but there is absolutely no need to rule out a boar pair.

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)

 

[LunaGirl1]

Any bond comes down to character compatibility - sows can fight and fall out just the same as boars if they are not compatible. Boars tend to mellow as they get older and become friendlier, whereas sows can get grumpier as they age.
The important thing is to get a pair that are well matched and compatible. The best way to achieve this is to get them from a rescue centre and not buy from a pet shop so it’s great you are looking to rescue. The rescue will make sure you get a well bonded and healthy pair regardless of their sex

I have a boar pair myself and they are fantastic! They certainly are mellowing as they age and becoming more relaxed.

The important thing if you do get boys is to make sure you get a 6ft cage/hutch as boars need a lot more room but there is absolutely no need to rule out a boar pair.

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)

Is it alright if you get them from a breeder? Or do you still need to bond them together aswell?

 

[LunaGirl1]

I have two boys and they’re very happy together (minus Bruno’s humping episodes) a boar bond is a wonderful thing I wouldn’t rule out boys, I know lots of forum members have a happy pair of boys as well!

My two

So adorable <3 Thank you for the advice

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is it alright if you get them from a breeder? Or do you still need to bond them together aswell?

By getting piggies from a breeder you will face all the same issues as getting them from a pet shop - potential for illness, pregnancy and failed bonds due to incompatibility. There is no guarantee that the piggies you get will have a compatible bond. We see posts from people who got piggies from a breeder and then their bond fails down the line. Being biological siblings does not guarantee that they will be compatible and have a successful bond.

Also, as a rescue friendly forum, we would always encourage you to go to a rescue centre rather than purchase

 

[weepweeps]

I’ve have 8 boars in total. They are lovely.

Here’s Percy (brown and white) and Pepper (black, brown and white)



They get on great.

I got Percy from a breeder (before I joined the forum and found out about rescuing). He was paired with Pippin . But they were just put together to be sold as a pair I think. They did get on though. Then when Pippin passed I had to panic buy Pepper off a different breeder as we were heading into a covid lockdown. I bonded them myself. Pepper was only 5 weeks old. So he was just happy to be with Percy. It was easy bonding them. I’d look at rescues first definitely.

 

[rp1993]

We originally set out wanting girls but ended up with two boys, they get on brilliantly well often sitting together or playing together!
I wouldn’t rule them out!

 

[Merab]

Guinea pigs are gorgeous whether boars or sows.
All the boars I’ve had have been sweet, friendly, funny.
The sows have been the same.
They all have unique characters.
You will fall in love with them, whatever you get.

 

[Black piggies]

I'm on my 3rd boar, counting my childhood piggies, and they've all been different. The most trouble I've ever had was very dominant sow having a go at her sister, not quite enough to separate them, but for a spell I was getting up at 2am to check the noise was submission squealing and not Shadow killing her sister I'd get the piggies you fall for when you see what piggies are needing a home.

 

[LunaGirl1]

I'm on my 3rd boar, counting my childhood piggies, and they've all been different. The most trouble I've ever had was very dominant sow having a go at her sister, not quite enough to separate them, but for a spell I was getting up at 2am to check the noise was submission squealing and not Shadow killing her sister I'd get the piggies you fall for when you see what piggies are needing a home.

Is there a way to stop them from being aggressive towards eachother? I'm only a bit worried that they could fight when I'm not there <3

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is there a way to stop them from being aggressive towards eachother? I'm only a bit worried that they could fight when I'm not there <3

No, there is nothing you can do to make two piggies get on - that is whether they are two sows or two boars - character compatibility comes entirely down to the piggies themselves. This is why rescuing a pair of well bonded piggies from a reputable rescue is the safest way – the rescue will have made sure they are well bonded before rehoming them. If they are compatible then they will not fight.

The only things you can do is
make sure the cage is big enough (120x60cm as a minimum but recommended 150x60cm or a 2x4 c&c cage for two sows or a neutered boar/sow pair. 180x60cm or a 2x5 c&c cage for two boars)
ensure you have two of every item
ensure hides have two exits so no piggy can be cornered by the other
Basically that they don’t have any reason to bicker for resources, but these things are secondary to ensuring they are compatible to begin with

 

[Deleted member 139433]

Don’t rule out boys. I’ve had several boar pairs. As long as they are the right match (personality - not age), they live together wonderfully