Spike and Ike Banfield -More Pigtures!

[erin]

Hi there, I'm a novice guinea pig lover. I got Spike in December from a local shop. He was turned in after the previous owner's son got bored with him. He is stubborn and very male but he is finally starting to come around and be more social with me.
Anyhow, I've been enjoying reading up on the different topics here! Great Site!

Erin

[3piggles]

Hello and welcome. Spike is gorgeous!!! I won't let my girls see his pigture, lol!!! Guinea pigs are herd animals, and getting him a friend will not only help him settle in, but bring out the best of piggyness. It's best to get a younger or older pig, so they don't compete as much.

[lonestarpiggies]

Welcome! I love Spike's markings; what a handsome boy. I second what 3piggles said about getting him a friend.

[newpig]

Welcome Spike and Erin. Spike is definitely very handsome.

We try to post a link to the rules and guidelines for all our new members.

[glittze2001]

Aww he is lovely! Like 3piggles said I am sure he would love a friend, it does not cost much more for another piggy, Although be careful if you do! In 18 months i have gone from 2 to 7 piggies! Welcome!

[lolawheeks]

Welcome-I love Spike's longer hair! Congrats on giving him a great home

[Teebers]

What a schoochy boy!

[poshpiggy]

Aww!! He's soooo cute! I don't have any Piggies yet, but I had one, she looked almost like that!! Congrats!!

[erin]

Hi Thanks for the warm welcome!
I'm definately considering getting Spike a friend. I have reading up and there seems to be a lot to consider. I got him in december and took until recently before I didn't terrify the guy. He already alone seems pretty dominant and I guess combined it worries me things won't work out. Mind you I spent reading everything posted here on introducing a new buddy and I am feeling a bit more confident. I just don't want to rush it since Spike seems to really be coming around. He was about a year when we picked him up. I'l post a closer pic soon.
Knowing me I'll get him a bud and end up with 10 haha.

And you guys have some cute piggies yourself btw!

[yodelpig]

Hi and welcome!

Be warned - piggies are addictive! Spike is a gorgeous boy and I am sure that he wouldn't say no to a little baby friend who sees him in the light of a "big daddy". Boars rarely attack little ones that are in no position of being a rival as long as they are pre-hormonal.

[erin]

Yes I can definatly see piggies being addictive already! I will keep everyone informed when I have found a suitable friend for Spike and the progress. With pictures! (Reading up on here, I noticed you guys/gals seem to really like pictures! lol)
Chat soon!

[3piggles]

Ooh, we love pictures!!! It helps us relate to each others pigs, and is just great to see all the other piggies.

[jolovespiggies]

Welcme to our happy family dear and little Spike is lovely.

Jo xx

[erin]

Generally people recommend a young guy for a pairing. Unfortunalty In my area, to get a pre pubenscent piggie you pretty much need to purchade right from a pet store. Occassion you'll see a young one being rehomed, but it's not that common. In the spirit of rescue, is there a way to turn the table and get an older cage mate??? I know there would be dominance issues at least at the start but I was wonder what people here thought. The town west of me carries guinea pigs at the spca. Seen a cute 4 yr old on the web site today.

jolovespiggies - Thank you for the welcome, everyones been super nice here ~

[yodelpig]

You can try older boars, provided the shelter allows you to "boar date", so you can see at the rescue whether they are likely to get on or not.

Spike is coming into his big hormones when bonding is at his most difficult between 4 -12 months old. There is a possibility of keeping two single boars side by side for company.

Alternatively, you could think about having him neutered, so he could live with a girl or two after his 4-6 weeks post op wait - provided you can find a good vet. Cross gender pairings are usually very stable once a boar has been accepted (which is not always the case with dominant older sows).

[Jenny]

hello, welcome to wheekers! your piggy is cute. That's a good idea to have a 'piggy date' at a rescue to see if they like each other, because I started out getting a second piggy for my first, and they didn't get along, so I got 2 more, and they didn't get along, so I got another and she was a he, and they had babies.... anyways, I have 6 pigs now in 3 cages and I meant to only have 2, and its all because of a cage that was too small and that I didnt piggy date in the beginning! Good luck!!

[erin]

Found a wee one at rescue! Wish me luck!! Will post details/pics in a day or two! Thanks for all the suggestions and help!

[Jenny]

ohhh how exciting! Good luck I hope they both get along and yes I will await the pictures!!!

[zombieprincess]

Welcome to the forum Erin

Spike is so handsome! He is the same colors as my boy harvey. I hope you manage to find a friend for him, it will really bring him out of his shell.

[erin]

Needless to say everything went better then expected!