misspiggy01
Tin Member
Welcome to the fam Buttons and Peanut!
Posts: 53
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Post by misspiggy01 on Apr 28, 2019 4:44:14 GMT
Hi everyone! I’m new to the piggy world and am currently looking for pet Guinea pigs. I know with most animals males and females are very different (temperament, smell, ect) so would just like to know which gender would be good for a new piggy owner. I am really annoyed though because the table they were going to go on is 1 and a half cm to small!! Looks like it’s browsing on eBay for me! Thanks everyone for your help!
edit: added a poll for you guys to do!
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Post by amber89 on Apr 28, 2019 6:16:29 GMT
Hi and welcome to the forum.
You should add a third option: mixed gender. That's what I am having right now; one castrated boar and hopefully soon there will be 2 sows (I just got yesterday from the shelter one sow and I am waiting a bit with starting the introduction phase).
I find this a quite stable constellation and very similar what they would have in the wild. I can, at any point, add new wifes for my boar, given that everyone likes each other.
Two males need more space than two females. Also, especially if they are both teenagers you might experience quite some domination behaviour. You will also need two of everything (water bottles, food bowls, hideys) and to make sure that all your hideys have two exists. Females need a bit less space, but they can be quite smelly. When they experience a strong season they could spray each other with wee and it's quite strong.
Also, I suppose you know to never leave together two of opposite sexes when neither of them if castrated/spayed. It can take only seconds and you might get some more piggies.
If you ever want to add a third piggy to you pair, it is good to know that trios of boars almost always end in disaster. For girls it might work if they fit from the personality point of view.
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misspiggy01
Tin Member
Welcome to the fam Buttons and Peanut!
Posts: 53
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Post by misspiggy01 on Apr 28, 2019 6:22:41 GMT
Thanks amber. I will add mixed gender now!
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Post by Bean on Apr 28, 2019 10:33:49 GMT
I've had mainly mixed genders too - a neutered boar with one or more females. I started off this round of pig ownership with two brothers, but their relationship was fairly fractious from their teenage years onwards, and I decided they'd be better with females, so they had the snip. As Amber said, that reflects their natural groupings - one boar with a few sows. The only risk in that is that although with an experienced vet, neutering is a fairly straight-forward operation, any surgery is potentially dangerous.
Although some people do have issues with boars arguing/ fighting, and they definitely need more space, I know lots of people with pairs of boars who get along fine. And personality-wise, a lot of boys tend to be quite mellow.
Females do tend to get along well with one another, but I have one female now, who I've so far been unable to bond successfully with anyone - not even a (neutered) boar.
The best idea is to go to a rescue and get adult pigs whose personalities are already established and who may also already be bonded, regardless of gender - you can hear about what they're like from the rescue, and there will be far fewer surprises than with babies or with pigs from a less invested source.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 28, 2019 15:35:36 GMT
A very warm welcome hunni.
hugs jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on May 12, 2019 19:52:41 GMT
I totally missed this thread, but I don't have a preference. I think both are great. Boys can be harder to successfully bond, but girls aren't always easy, either. Girls can have reproductive issues as they age, but boys can have their own set of problems.
Amber's suggestion is great, and generally seems to be the best option. One neutered boar and one or more sows generally works really well. I had a sow who didn't work with that set up at all, so again, nothing is guaranteed.
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rea
Tin Member
Posts: 94
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Post by rea on May 29, 2019 2:30:08 GMT
Like piggles, I too don't have much of preference and believe it's the time you put into the relationship with your furbaby that makes a difference in their personality.
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