Pending adoption for 7 guinea pigs Need Help and Opinions - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Mary_Lou235** · #1 01-28-09, 05:48 pm

I contacted a local rescue, and they had aquired over 50 guinea pigs in a box on the side of a building, all females pregnant

. Im pretty sure alot of them are being adopted, all the babies are born, Im not too sure about all the pigs' status. Anywho, I was interested in 7 of the cavies, 4 males, 3 females.

Case 1: If my mom would let me get all seven I probably would. But Im not convinced she will, I have yet to make the official proposal (family death). The males would be neutered of course. My only concern is how much time would I be able to give each pig one on one.

Case 2: I get the 4 males, 2 of which are already cage mates.

Case 3: The 3 females

Statements: I am new to cavies. I have a job for the expenses. I have planned a C&C cage (4x5 bottom level, 2x5 top level). I have googled/library for hours and exchange emails with the rescue. I have read many threads on this site. I know many of you will call me crazy for this many piggies with little experience, but it would suck if I didn't have a home and family to love me...

Questions: Will you review my cases, and give me info and advice on which one would best suit me, based on yalls' experiences. You don't have to tell me about care of cavies here, I'll ask any questions I may have about that in other threads. Im mainly interested in time outside the cage, I will not be selfish and adopt all seven if I can't give them enough time, thats just unfair to the cavy. So would floor time be the same for 2 piggies as it would for 3, 4 or 7?

Thanks in advance.

**NicholsS10** · #2 01-28-09, 05:54 pm

Well if you get all 7, you shouldn't give floor time to time all at the same time, since males will fight in the presence of females. So, that is something to keep in mind. Another scenario could be that you adopt all 3 females, and adopt 1 neutered boy and keep them all together in the same cage. I have 4 females and 1 neutered boy, they get along wonderfully.

**Mary_Lou235** · #3 01-28-09, 06:02 pm

That is another idea. But it wouldn't work the other way around would it?

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #4 01-28-09, 06:10 pm

7 is a lot to acquire at once esp. of you are starting off. It may be best if you started off slow?

I don't think it would be crazy since piggies are great but it may be better for you if you adopted 3 or 4 at once so you only have 1 or 2 cages to start off, and see how you do.

**Mary_Lou235** · #5 01-28-09, 06:16 pm

That sounds logical. Thanks for the help :]

**cielo** · #6 01-28-09, 06:40 pm

Hey!

I would suggest that you start with 2 or 3 piggies. They are great, but you need to get settle and see if you can actually handle more. There are people that have 20 + and they do great, but I can only handle 4. I started with 2 and then added 2 more (lost one along the way). There are always piggies waiting for forever homes. I will gladly help you with any question you might have!

**NicholsS10** · #7 01-28-09, 07:14 pm

Mary Lou: No, it wouldn't work the other way around. If 2 or more boys (neutered or not neutered) live with a girl, the boys will fight. You can only have 1 boy with any number of females living together. But NOT the other way around or any other combination.

**Mary_Lou235** · #8 01-28-09, 07:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cielo

Hey!

I would suggest that you start with 2 or 3 piggies. They are great, but you need to get settle and see if you can actually handle more. There are people that have 20 + and they do great, but I can only handle 4. I started with 2 and then added 2 more (lost one along the way). There are always piggies waiting for forever homes. I will gladly help you with any question you might have!

Im sorry you lost one. But thankyou for the suggestion, very helpful.

**Mary_Lou235** · #9 01-28-09, 07:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicholsS10

Mary Lou: No, it wouldn't work the other way around. If 2 or more boys (neutered or not neutered) live with a girl, the boys will fight. You can only have 1 boy with any number of females living together. But NOT the other way around or any other combination.

Ok, thanks, that definitley helps with my decision. I glad I know that, I could've ended up with unhappy cagemates.

**Mary_Lou235** · #10 01-28-09, 07:28 pm

I think im definitley in love with the boys, as they were my first choices to begin with. So if I were to get just boys, I should cancel their neutering appointment?

**NicholsS10** · #11 01-28-09, 08:16 pm

Neutering will NOT alter any behavior. If you are JUST getting boys, then I wouldn't bother getting them neutered. You will put them through an unnecessary risk if they will not be around girls, not to mention, it's pricey to neuter that many boys.

When I got my boy neutered, I did everything possible to avoid an infection, and followed post op care to the letter. Inevitably, he got a concentrated infection, that antibiotics could not cure. His "private area" swelled up to the size of the ping pong ball. He went back under the knife to drain the infection, and had to leave the incision open in order to allow it to completely drain. After the surgery he was given another round of antibiotics, and topical antibiotics. He could have died if the infection spread and if I hadn't taken him in the moment he swelled up. He eventually pulled through, and lives a spoiled, pampered piggy life with his four lovely ladies. You need to ask yourself that question though: Are you prepared for bad situations to happen? Are you prepared to pay for another surgery if you have to? Are you prepared for the emotional strain of neutering 4 pigs? I was extemely stressed and worried with just one. I believe it's just an unnecessary risk if you are only getting boys.

Ultimately it's up to you. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, I don't mean too. It'll be good to keep an appointment with the vet for each of them though for a general health check!

**Mary_Lou235** · #12 01-28-09, 09:32 pm

Oh man, that sounds bad. Im glad he recovered. It must've been scary. The rescue actually offered the neutering, but I don't want to risk putting them through that. And your reply is not harsh, its honest. Thankyou. I'll keep the appointment for a checkup, but not for neutering then.

**AnimalHouse36** · #13 01-28-09, 09:34 pm

If you end up adopting the females along with the males, there is still no need to nueter. You can't keep that many males with that few females without two males possibly losing their life. The general rule is 4 females per 1 male.

NicholsS: Wow! Sound scary! Glad he pulled through.

**LadyMorrgian** · #14 02-01-09, 11:25 pm

I will say this.
I rescued three from a lady on Craigs List, They were treated very badly.
I have two girls and one boy. Piggies are honestly the most work I have ever had to deal with for a small animal. I am always rescuing pets and such (my boyfriend tells people he lives in a zoo)

Pigs don't just cost alot of money and time to keep healy and happy, they require life style changes as well. If you house them in your room, no more loud music movies ect. No more loud voices ect. my boyfriend has a very loud voce and I am constantly telling him to lower it now that I see these little ones running off squeaking in fear.