Advice: Adopting a third? Am I crazy?

[Duffinvt]

I have heard through the grapevine of a family with a pregnant pet store pig. They will need homes for the babies. When I first thought of getting a guinea pig I wanted two babies. Then, I adopted my girls (yr. old +/-) and I love them. My husband said OK to another. The two girls get along so well, I just wonder if I am doing the right thing by even considering this. I have the 2 x 5 cage and all the "stuff". I have the time and space for floortime and money for vet bills and proper food. I just need some advice. Lots of advice. Has anyone found that adopting a baby just did not work out? I know all pigs have their own personalities and every situation is different. I am torn on whether to leave well enough alone or to check this lead out...

[angiekay]

I would say try it, but be prepared to separate them if need be, as if they start to draw blood or whatever, then they would have to be housed separately. Leaving the baby alone? I have 3 boars right now, 2 of which came to me in a pair (4 weeks old), they are doing great with the loner 6 month old I have right now. Keeping fingers crossed it stays that way.

If you are financially able, I would take another, esp. if you can make arrangements to house separately if need be, then you would need another pig to house with the one you have to separate though. I've been through that before, it was stressful for me.

[rahunter]

I will be adopting a third this weekend. I have 2 4-5 month old sisters right now. We are taking the girls to the rescue facility to do the introductions on Sunday. This way we can see how they react to each other and if they seem to "like" one baby better than the other. My plan is to clean the cage right before we leave so that it is nice and fresh when we bring the new addition home.

[JD In Van]

I'm looking at getting a third too but they're boys and that's a differant situation I think.

In my case it's more that being involved in the rescue stuff I keep seeing all these poor piggies who need love and homes. I want to take them all but I can't. Realistically though I can manage three, maybe in the future four.

The nice thing too is that via the rescue the piggies are quarintined already so I can can intro them, see how they get on right off the bat.

[angiekay]

Congrats on both of your soon "new additions", happy for you girls, can't wait to see some pics!!

[Duffinvt]

Originally Posted by JD In Van

I'm looking at getting a third too but they're boys and that's a differant situation I think.

JD, Different as in easier or harder with boys? I see more posts where people have added a third boar than a third sow.

[Peggysu]

Originally Posted by Duffinvt

JD, Different as in easier or harder with boys? I see more posts where people have added a third boar than a third sow.

That's because people have more problems with boars. Sows tend to get along better.

Congratulations on the new addition when you get her. It's only one more.

[Ly&Pigs]

Most of the time I see people posting about trying to add more boars and they are fighting, but rarely do I see posts about sows not getting along.

In my own experiences, I had 7 sows living together successfully. I had started with a lone sow, then adopted another. They were introduced and weeks I introduced a third sow with no problems. Not long after, I introduced a fourth sow. They all got along beautifully. A few months went by and I found a fifth and intro'd her into the herd. Then later added a bonded pair into the herd. Try introducing 7 at once! That was an experience I won't forget. There was no fighting. The worst that happened was I accidentally scared Cherrybelle and she turned around and nailed me (bit me) pretty deeply I might add.

The worst problems I ever had with my herd were that 4 of the girls, when in heat, would rumblestrutt at everyone else.

[luvmycavies]

I went through this....and now have 4 living peacefully.
I adopted 2 bonded 3 year old girls from a rescue and then a few months later heard of an 8 week baby in need of a home. The introes went really well for us and they all got along pretty well. They seemed to accept her in thier own way and I had a happy trio. The work didn't really go up much just me buying more for them. Then 3 months later heard of another even younger baby in need and adopted her out. For me going from 3 to 4 was harder than 2 to 3 because of the personallities and dynamics. I did a complete cleaning of the cage, introed them in a buddy bath and then on the floor in neutral territory. It went well and just the hierarchy rumblestrutting goes on. I would do it if you can......more is more fun!!

[Tessa Bea]

I have three piggles living together in harmony, two females and one altered boar. Before I adopted them- Tahiri, the eldest, went to the rescue with a very sick female buddy who passed the day after, and was soon paired up with baby Kimi, who is now a year old. They get along splendidly. I had a mother daughter pair when I was younger, and never had any problems.

If you're wondering about Leonidas, the boar, they had him neutered because he didn't get along with any males, and set him up with a set of females.

So long as you have the means to care for them, I think you should be just fine with three girls, just follow proper introduction procedures.

[Cuppy&Muffy]

I wondered that same thing. Was I crazy to adopt a third when my 2 were getting along so beautifully? But I jumped in anyway because I liked the idea of a herd and not just a pair. At first Cupcake (who is the dominant female) did not like the new Cookie AT ALL. She was very bossy and wouldn't let her in the kitchen to eat. As soon as I added an extra food dish and hay rack Cupcake settled down and allowed Cookie into the kitchen and all was well. My Muffin got along with Cookie from the start.
I love having 3. It makes for more personality and more popcorning and racing around.

[Dichotomy83]

Ive often thought about adding a third, but Im not sure how my boys would do. Theyre both still under a year old, so Im wondering if it'd be better to let those two go through puberty before I entertain introducing a third?

Also, I have a 2x5 cage...which would be the MINIMUM for 3 pigs. Anyone successfully raise a herd of boars?

[1frankie7]

I dont think you are crazy you just have a healthy addiction.

[Sugar&Ellie]

I really want another. I work at the humane society so im always seeing all of these piggies up for adoption and I really want another one. They're all spayed and neutered and I just introduced a sow, a couple of months younger than my 2 year old sow. They're learning to bond but occasionally nip each other if one gets too close or steals the others carrot. I want to adopt at boar. The only problem, I rent the basement from my Dad and he's telling me, no more animals. I have 3 dogs a cat and 2 guinea pigs... but im an animal lover! and im trying to convince him!

[distancel]

I am thinking the same thing over at the moment. My cage is big enough, but I am not sure I'm worried it won't go well, I mean I can house another piggie seperately if need be but I don't really want to due to space.

Let me know how you go if you decide to get a third. I'm thinking I will wait until I am in a bigger apartment, so the pigs can have their own room. Then I will have plenty of room for two cages.....or more...? Haha.

[Duffinvt]

Well, it seems I might be getting one more. There is a pregnant pig in a neighboring town and I am in line to adopt a female if there is one in the litter. So keep your fingers crossed. The babies can be felt moving in the mom, so I guess she is due soon?

[akstrohm]

Sows often get along well, but it's not a guarantee. I tried to introduce my two girls to another adult female, and while one of mine got along with the new girl just fine, the other definitely did not. They did not make it past introductions. So while the chance of sows getting along is good, it is not a guarantee, and you do need a back up plan.

[rahunter]

We picked up our third little piggy last night. We did the intro's at the rescue w/ two different babies. The intro's went well w/ both but we decided on the more laid back one, plus it was a Teddy; we couldn't resist I have pics in a thread "Introducing Buffy".