Three Male Guinea Pigs

[rosie ella]

I'm getting guinea pigs soon and before starting to research I was after three boy piggies, I have three little boys who all wanted "their own" boy guinea pig (of course they'll all be secretly mine..hahah).
But after researching I've learnt that three males won't be possible to keep together. As I haven't had guinea pigs for a loooong time, I was hoping or advice from someone more experienced as to the best plan of action:
1) I could get three boys and try to bond them, separate the aggressor if problems arise
2) Keep the three boys in separate, but adjoining cages so they can talk to eachother without being able to fight (this is what I'm leaning towards, but would like to know if they would still be lonely in a setup like this) (also, would three separated boys be able to play together in a neutral territory occasionally)
3) Get three girls and pretend to the kids that they're boys (!) would rather avoid this!

Any comments would be appreciated!

 

[Wiebke]

I'm getting guinea pigs soon and before starting to research I was after three boy piggies, I have three little boys who all wanted "their own" boy guinea pig (of course they'll all be secretly mine..hahah).
But after researching I've learnt that three males won't be possible to keep together. As I haven't had guinea pigs for a loooong time, I was hoping or advice from someone more experienced as to the best plan of action:
1) I could get three boys and try to bond them, separate the aggressor if problems arise
2) Keep the three boys in separate, but adjoining cages so they can talk to eachother without being able to fight (this is what I'm leaning towards, but would like to know if they would still be lonely in a setup like this) (also, would three separated boys be able to play together in a neutral territory occasionally)
3) Get three girls and pretend to the kids that they're boys (!) would rather avoid this!

Any comments would be appreciated!

Hi and welcome

3 boar babies have a separation rate of around 90% before they reach a hormonally more settled adulthood.
To be honest, if you want to go for boars, why not opt for two bonded pairs in separate cages and have the fourth boar as your own piggy for the most stable boars-only constellation? The boars can be kept in adjoining cages or in a ground floor cage and a table cage atop the first one if you are pushed for space; just not as a single group since boar quartets are even less stable than trios.

Otherwise, you can look at three sows or a neutered boar/2 sows trio. I wouldn't lie about sows; just explain to your boys that three boars together won't work. Children are usually understanding about that.

I would also recommend that you consider adopting from one of our recommended rescues - that way, you are guaranteed to end up with stably bonded, correctly sexed and fully quarantined/healthy piggies and can neatly avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary.
Guinea pigs are cute babies only for a few short weeks, teenagers for about 10 months and adults for another 4-6 years or even longer. Instead of looking at wiggly babies that may injure themselves when blind jumping back into the cage or freaking when with lively children, why not rather look at young adult rescue boars that are used to handling and past the worst of the hormones?
It usually takes several weeks to settle in shop or breeder piggies that haven't had anything in the way of friendly human interaction before they are thrust into an environment that expects instant cuddly pets,
You will also have the backing of the rescue for the whole life time of their adopted piggies. That is a lot more service and security than you would get with shop and breeder piggies.
Please be aware that anybody can call themselves a breeder or a rescue without any licence or welfare checks, and that the result can be accordingly.

Recommended UK rescues (listing the rescues we can guarantee for that you are in safe hands)
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Recommended rescues in some other countries: Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations

Our wannabe owners guide collection: Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - A Guide
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