I feel so guilty!!

[Pablosmummy]

While I was looking for a friend for Pablo we found Toby, a 2yr old male in a resuce centre about an hour and a half away. We were considering getting him and were in contact with the rescue centre about setting up a home visit but then we found Stanley, who was a lot closer to us and therefore easier to get.

Now I feel so guilty, especially as hes been looking for a home since March! The rescue centre contacted me again today asking if I was still looking and when I mentioned I'd already adopted a 2nd piggy they said there was a good chance of the three of them getting along as they are different ages (mine are 4 months and 9 weeks) and that theyd help me if I had any trouble with them.

So now I'm considering getting Toby aswell as the guilt is too much for me to handle!
Anyway I was wondering if anyone had any experience in introducing 3 boars of these ages? and recommendations on what I should do!!

[piggiesinpa]

Do you have the ability to properly take care of 3 pigs? Boars can be tricky, but most owners make it work. I currently have 3 and I'm getting a 4th whenever I move. You have to make sure personalities get along and you have plenty of space.

[Pablosmummy]

We have plenty of space and (by me accidentally ordering two boxes of cubes instead of one) plenty of cubes to make a bigger cage. I was going to extend the boys cage to a 3x4 anyway so i could make it a 3x5 which would be big enough for three.

See thats the only thing thats putting me off getting him. If they dont get along, I'm going to have to seperate them and one will be on their own. Although it would be better than him being in a rescue surely? argh I just dont know.

Pablo is really friendly, quite shy. Stanley is terrified of everything but hes only young and the rescue centre has described Toby as being shy.

[piggiesinpa]

Your pigs are 4 months and 9 weeks? They are young right now so they don't bicker. When they start hitting puberty you will see a change in that. The 2 year old has already went through this phase so you will not have to worry about that, so regardless if you get Toby or not, you are probably going to go through a small period of irritation when your younger pigs hit puberty. It is always a possiblity that you will have to separate, but if you introduce correctly and have PLENTY of space (3x5 is awesome, if you can do more that would be even better) then you are doing all you need to be doing.
The WORST that can happen is that you will have to separate (which will more than likely be the pigs you already have because they have yet to hit puberty).
If you don't want to do it, then don't. The shelter will understand, but explain their situation. You could always ask if you can 'try it out' and if it doesn't work out for you then you can go from there. A local shelter here will let you do a trial basis and/or fostering until you get the 'right' pig. They care about the health of the pigs they are releasing as well as the ones you already have.

[Tulia&Susie]

I say go for it. I have four boars together and they are perfect with eachother. You just got to match up the right personalitys and age and you should do just fine.

[Pablosmummy]

ok so I thought I'd update you all and say I've decided to go for it! I've emailed the centre to let them know so now I'm just waiting for them to get back to me! I hope they say yes. I should pass the home visit right? I'm really nervous and they havent even got back to me yet.

[clotho]

Good luck getting Toby. I think you are doing the right thing. If you do have issues when the baby gets older, you can always separate the cage with grids so they can see/smell/hear each other but not get at each other. Then maybe when the baby is older and past puberty you can have them together again. You may not have any issues at all. Many people have boars living together just fine. In fact I have 3 - but I did have four and we did have issues until I had to separate the older one - but the other three are doing great for now. You just always have to be prepared for the worst (separating them) and hope for the best. As it was already pointed out, the issues will probably come from your existing pigs, not the one you want to adopt now. I really am glad you are getting Toby! I will keep my fingers crossed that their personalities will work out well together!!! It sounds like they will!!

[suzilovespiggie]

Glad to hear your going for Toby. I have 3 boars together, 2 together and 2 that live alone. I am working our personalities so all can have a cage mate. I did have three groupings of 3 together, but just lost 2 due to the heat, so we are matching again.
Good luck and pictures when you get Toby.

[Pablosmummy]

I've emailed her and shes not got back yet, I'm going mad waiting. I'm guessing shes away for the weekend or something.
Hes a coronet..are they hard to look after hair wise?