Size Is a 4x4 C&C cage good for 3 males?

[ericj445]

I currently have 2 male guinea pigs in a 4x4 c&c cage and I’m planning on getting a third male, possibly even 4 if it is possible. Also do guinea pigs prefer length than width??

 

[bpatters]

The cage is large enough, but three males living together fails about 99.98% of the time. Two will probably work, a large herd might work, but three? It's a recipe for disaster, and we never recommend it. It's also entirely possible to wind up with three solo pigs, none of which will live either of the others. If I were you, I'd keep the two I have and forget about a third or fourth.

 

[LaVitaEBella]

It won't be a good idea to keep three male guineas in a containment even if it the cage is big enough. Same thing goes two female guinea pigs.

 

[Soecara]

It won't be a good idea to keep three male guineas in a containment even if it the cage is big enough. Same thing goes two female guinea pigs.

You are correct about three boars usually being a bad idea, but it is very common and almost never an issue to keep two females together in a correctly sized cage.

 

[ericj445]

The cage is large enough, but three males living together fails about 99.98% of the time. Two will probably work, a large herd might work, but three? It's a recipe for disaster, and we never recommend it. It's also entirely possible to wind up with three solo pigs, none of which will live either of the others. If I were you, I'd keep the two I have and forget about a third or fourth.

Okay thank you. What number would you consider as a "large heard?" Also would it be possible to keep two males and one spayed female? Or vice versa?

 

[bpatters]

@Candalala is right -- you can't put multiple males with females, but one male with several females is fine.

And by a large herd I mean five or more, but you need LOTS of room for that many males together.

 

[ericj445]

@Candalala is right -- you can't put multiple males with females, but one male with several females is fine.

And by a large herd I mean five or more, but you need LOTS of room for that many males together.

Thank y'all. Also, just curious, how big would the cage have to be for five males?

 

[bpatters]

Probably 20 square feet.

But you still don't have much of a chance of making this work. I'd strongly recommend two cages with two pigs in each rather than trying to build a herd.

 

[ericj445]

Probably 20 square feet.

But you still don't have much of a chance of making this work. I'd strongly recommend two cages with two pigs in each rather than trying to build a herd.

Don't worry I am going to just keep my 4 by 4 with 2 males Thanks.

 

[bpatters]

Good choice! Keep us posted on how you and they are doing!