how long should I wait?? introducing boars

[dukestyles]

I have 3 boys right now and love them all to pieces. I originally got Blizzard and Sushi at a pet store. About 4 weeks later I brought Nugget home. I regretfully didn't do any research on how to do a proper intro and went with what the pet store said and just plopped them together. Well my original pair started fighting like crazy and I sadly had to separate them. Now Nugget and Sushi are together in a 2x3 bottom with a 1x2 kitchen loft. I am going to do a buddy bath tomorrow and redesign the cage. I was thinking of keeping the 2x3 and extend the loft to a 1x3 and keep the kitchen on the larger bottom level but now I'm thinking about a 2x4 with a 1x4 loft. I know bigger is better but would a 2x3 with a 1x3 loft work?? The loft would have access from both sides with ramps and there will only be beds up there not food or hay. Any ideas or suggestions?? Thanks in advance

[lissie]

Putting 3 boars in a 2x3 is asking for trouble, in my opinion.
The smallest I'd put them in is 2x6 or a 3x4.
Since yours were originally fighting, don't put them together in the 2x3 or 2x4.

[CavyMama]

I agree with @lissie, a 2X3 isn't big enough for 2 males, much less 3. Most likely the initial fighting that took place was less from lack of introductions and more because there wasn't enough space. Even a 2X3 with a loft wouldn't work as the workable space needs to be all one level and any lofts are extra to that.

[dukestyles]

I only have have enough space for a 2x4 I have gotten all brand new stuff. Food dishes fleece coro grids water bottles everything!!! Now im worried this won't work I feel so dumb for listening to the pet store after reading so much on this site.

[Princess_Piggie]

If possible you could make a complete double level? Not just a small loft, but add a whole other level to your cage, the same size as the bottom floor.

[lissie]

Can you rearrange your space to put in a 3x4?

[dukestyles]

I've measured my space and I can for sure fit a 2x4 and I'm pretty sure I could fit a 2x5 I just took Blizzard out of his small cage for floor time and put him beside the c&c cage. Sushi started teeth chattering quite loudly and snapped at Blizzard a few times. He would then run to the loft and popcorn. I know sushi is the boss in his current set up but I'm worried about a buddy bath tomorrow. Is this a sign of what I'm to expect tomorrow??

[lissie]

See this link for helpful info on introducing boars.
http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46468

[likeableme]

I accidentally successfully introduced my three boars together in a 2x6 CC. I had never intended to intro the three together, but it happened and it was okay. They two younger boars (sons of the third by different mothers) were almost a year old and the daddy boar is age unknown, but probably over 3 years old.

I had originally decided to keep them in a divided 6x2 and it was working well until a few weeks ago when I was cleaning their cage. My cage cleaning helper didn't know the routine and allowed the boars to push the divided out of the way and they've been together since with zero fighting and very little posturing. It was easy peasy--in fact they were together for several minutes without my knowledge and all was well.

Maybe you could try the three in a divided cage for a long while and occasionally switch them from side to side in their original groups. This is what I did just to mix up which boars had more access to human contact and to keep them familiar with one another's smells.

[CavyMama]

@dukestyles, would you be able to do a 2X5 or 2X6 as an L-shaped cage? Some people have found that even without enough room to do a straight 2X5, if they make it an L-shape, they are better able to fit it in the room.

[dukestyles]

My hubby is able to help shift our entertainment center and I can fit a 2x5 with a 1x5 loft with 2 ramps. I'm not putting any pig loos or hidey houses in the cage whatsoever. I'm worried about sushi and blizzard in the tub together tomorrow. I want them all to bath together. I know they are only about 3-4 months old and in full hormonal swing. I'm sure it's going to be a long day tomorrow. Wish me luck and thanks so much for everyon! S great advice.

[dukestyles]

We actually didn't end up having enough room for a 2x5 so we made a 2x4 with a 1x4 loft. So far so good. We've done a buddy bath now they are munching away in a group. Hopefully my babies can live together peacefully

[dukestyles]

Ok so I brought Sushi and Blizzard home together a couple months ago then a few weeks later brought Nugget home. Sushi and Blizzard started fighting after a day or 2 and I had to separate. We've built a new cage I gave them a buddy bath and they have now been on the floor for a couple hrs. Blizzard is in the corner and every time he and sushi get close sushi chases him and chatters at him. How long do we have to sit here before we can try their new cage??

[CavyMama]

So you didn't bother with the 21 day quarantine?

[dukestyles]

No I posted in a previous thread that I didnt didn't research and the pet store workers said they were herding animals and that they would be fine. Big mistake im so sad had to seperate again this time because sushi went after blizzard and cut his nose and ear. Will I ever be able to re introduce them?? They are about 4 month old now so I know they are full blown hormonal atm. Maybe in a few months?? I dont want to hear any comments about doing research before hand I know my mistake and I feel terrible about it

[lissie]

Please don't reintroduce them until you can make a 3x4 or bigger cage. You won't be able to keep three boars in a 2x4 cage.

[Paula]

It's not necessarily true that you absolutely won't be able to keep three males in a 2x4 cage, but it's pretty unlikely, especially if they are all around the same age. I have three groups of 3 or more males doing fine - so it's not totally hopeless and it depends a lot on the individual pigs you're trying to match up.

Chasing and chattering are normal behaviors that they'll demonstrate upon first meeting and at various times throughout their life together, if they are able to stay together, and they don't indicate that they won't live together comfortably - they have to establish their hierarchy of dominance.

I'd at least go with a 2x5 for now and try to plan and expand as time goes on.

[Beth Pearson]

It's not necessarily true that you absolutely won't be able to keep three males in a 2x4 cage

Actually it is very untrue considering the SMALLEST you can go with THREE piggies is a 2x5. A 2x4 is for two pigs or less... OP, the bigger the cage, the better. I wouldn't reintroduce until they're both out of their puberty stage and when you have a larger cage. Boys can be a pain to pair up, even more so when making a trio.

[Paula]

Actually it is very untrue considering the SMALLEST you can go with THREE piggies is a 2x5. A 2x4 is for two pigs or less... OP, the bigger the cage, the better. I wouldn't reintroduce until they're both out of their puberty stage and when you have a larger cage. Boys can be a pain to pair up, even more so when making a trio.

No, the smallest RECOMMENDED for three pigs is a 2x5, the smallest that is ACCEPTABLE as the "minimum" (set by the standards of this site, anyway) is 2x4.

[dukestyles]

Yea that's what I figured. I might be able to make a larger L shaped cage after the new year so for now I'm just going to keep them separated. I wish they could remember they were cage mates at that terrible pet store before all of this happened. I wish I had done more research before getting nugget.