Adding a third piggie

[lissie]

I'm considering adding a third piggie. I know I have to quarantine for 3 weeks.

I have found lice on my original two, and have taken both of them to the vet and got Revolution on June 20. My question is, if I do get a new piggie now and quarantine for 3 weeks. Will the new piggie be safe from lice after the 3 weeks quarantine? Is there a chance my two will still carry the eggs? Should I wait longer?

Will 3 boars live peacefully in a 2x6 cage? I know it exceeds the recommended size. I'm just asking from your personal experience.

[wigglesgiggles1]

Well, I have two boars in s 2x6 and they still but heads. I would maybe go a tad bigger.

[lissie]

I can't go any bigger. I've fought this battle once and lost the war to my husband. He's against the idea of getting one more because he's afraid the cage will have to be bigger. He already thinks the piggies have taken over the apartment (and also the space in the fridge). If they don't get along, I can build up, like stack another cage on top of the existing one.

The rescue I'm planning to adopt from has Matchmaking Services.
I hope I can find a match for my piggies.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

With boys, it is usually better to give them more space. A 2 by 6 may work since the 2 by 5 is the min for a trio. Hopefully the boys will be laid back with each other. Can you add a loft by chance? If you make the ramp curve or central, it won't take away from floor space.

[Paula]

Whether or not they can live together depends a lot on the pigs. If you can match up pig personalities really well you might be able to get away with it. Boys are just harder in general than girls when it comes to space and getting along. I think it can be done, but I think it's going to be tricky.

As for the lice question, Revolution generally treats lice in just one treatment, but I would be sure your new boy has been treated before introducing him to your current two.

[Pulsepoint129]

I can't go any bigger. I've fought this battle once and lost the war to my husband. He's against the idea of getting one more because he's afraid the cage will have to be bigger. He already thinks the piggies have taken over the apartment (and also the space in the fridge). If they don't get along, I can build up, like stack another cage on top of the existing one.

The rescue I'm planning to adopt from has Matchmaking Services.
I hope I can find a match for my piggies.

Hehehe! My boyfriend says the same exact thing, I can relate. I wanted to add a third boy but our cage already takes up an entire wall-and-a-half in his bedroom, and when I begged the question of a third, he goes: "Okay, so in other words...would you like me to just move into my closet and give the boys the entire room?"

[lissie]

With boys, it is usually better to give them more space. A 2 by 6 may work since the 2 by 5 is the min for a trio. Hopefully the boys will be laid back with each other. Can you add a loft by chance? If you make the ramp curve or central, it won't take away from floor space.

The current cage is 2x6 with a bunkbed on one end and a 1.5x2 hay loft on the other end. I'm planning to change the loft to a 1x1 + 1x6 + 1x1 U-shape. Something like this.

_________
X X X X X X
X_______X

Whether or not they can live together depends a lot on the pigs. If you can match up pig personalities really well you might be able to get away with it. Boys are just harder in general than girls when it comes to space and getting along. I think it can be done, but I think it's going to be tricky.

Thank you. The owner of the rescue has matched her own piggies in a group of six (4 neutered boars and 2 sows). I'm surprise the boars are not fighting. I believe she will be able to help me. If not, I will just stick with 2.

As for the lice question, Revolution generally treats lice in just one treatment, but I would be sure your new boy has been treated before introducing him to your current two.

I have Revolution left. I will give one dose to the new piggie. The vet told me to repeat the dose in a month for my two, is it necessary?

he goes: "Okay, so in other words...would you like me to just move into my closet and give the boys the entire room?"

Hehehe that's funny

[lissie]

I forgot to mention. My boars are almost 8 months old. Should I wait until they are done going through puberty?

[Paula]

I have Revolution left. I will give one dose to the new piggie. The vet told me to repeat the dose in a month for my two, is it necessary?

It depends on how bad the lice was in the first place. At the very least, it wouldn't hurt. Especially with a new boy soon to be moving in.

I forgot to mention. My boars are almost 8 months old. Should I wait until they are done going through puberty?

That's another thing that depends on the pigs, but I would wait till they're a year or so.