Advice Seniors and Teens? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**JD In Van** · #1 10-23-09, 01:00 pm

My boys are 5 months-ish now and some what in puberty though they're starting to settle down (with eachother at least).

The rescue I have fostered for has a couple older pigs (one in particular is 6) that I'm concerned may not be able to be adopted at their age. I'd be happy to take the older guy in so he has a forever home to retire to?

Would it be diffecult to introduce a signifigently older pig to them at this age? Would an older pig help settle things out or are they likely to harass him? Would it be better to wait until they're older?

Currently they're in a 4 foot x 2.5 foot pen, they're going to a 3 x 3 C&C shortly (I'll keep the 4x2.5 up and use it for a quarintine).

**Tessa Bea** · #2 10-23-09, 01:08 pm

My Tahiri is 5, and Kimi is one. To the best of my knowledge, they've been paired together since Kimi was a baby. I think this is easier than introducing them during puberty, though, those times are tough! Also, both mine are females- so that's probably a factor too.

What type of personality does the older pig have? If he's not afraid to be head honcho, or really laid back, I think he may be able to take it.

Also, if you're going to have 3 pigs, is a 3X3 the same sq. ft as a 2X5? I'm really bad with math, sorry...

**JD In Van** · #3 10-23-09, 01:29 pm

Well I can't tell from the info page are grids 15" each if so 3 x 3 is 14.06 sq feet.

If they're 13.5 its 11.39 sq feet. Quite the differance.

Currently my boys are in about 9 sq feet which they seem quite happy with but more is better I figure.

**Tessa Bea** · #4 10-23-09, 01:41 pm

The only reason I ask is because if you're going to be adding one more, that puts your total at 3 pigs, right? The minimum would be 10.5 sq feet, 13 sq feet preferred. If they're all boars, I would recommend a higher amount of footage. 3x3 would work either grid type way, but with the smaller sized grids, I doubt it'd be ideal.

**JD In Van** · #5 10-23-09, 02:12 pm

AH! They're 14 inches. So it's 12.25 sq feet for a 3 x 3 C&C which I could try out and if it's too small I could try and use the grids I was going to use for a hay loft to bring it out to 3x4 though that starts to get pretty tight for the space it's going to be on.

**Ly&Pigs** · #6 10-23-09, 03:02 pm

A 3x3 would be enough space for 2 boars but not quite enough for 3. A 3x3 would be the equivalent of a 2x4+1 square grid. For 3 boars, you'd need either at least a 2x5 but a 2x6 or 3x4 (3x4 is equivalent to a 2x6) would be good too.

**JD In Van** · #7 10-23-09, 03:14 pm

I'll play with the dimentions. But my question was more about the temperment. A senior + 2 rowdy teens.

**Ly&Pigs** · #8 10-23-09, 03:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD In Van

But my question was more about the temperment. A senior + 2 rowdy teens.

I know and I didn't give an answer because there really isn't a definitive answer to the question. It's going to be about the personalities of the pigs. I feel that no one can really tell you "yes" or "no" as to whether they will get along or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD In Van

Would it be diffecult to introduce a signifigently older pig to them at this age?

It wouldn't be any more or less difficult than introducing any other boars, in my own opinion. Like I said, it's going to be dependent on their personalities.