Level of Effort? How much more. . .

[jowasaurus]

I currently have 2 guinea pigs, Bocefus and Waylon. Until recently, they've been living together and what not but Waylon has turned into quite the bully/ biter. I'm in contact with a local guinea pig rescue and she is going to help me with things such as neutering, cage expansion, and possibly adoption. I really would like to adopt some of her pigs for her and to make it so Bo and Waylon don't have to be alone.
The only thing I can see as a potential problem is that she currently only has a few sets of trios. So. . . If I were to get even one trio, that would take me from 2 pigs to 5 pigs pretty quickly. And that would still leave one of my pigs by himself so I would have to find a single or double to pair him with sometime as well.

My main question is:
How much more time/ money does it really take going from two guinea pigs to a possible 6 or 7 within a two month span?
[and how do you know if you're ready? i'm pretty sure i am, but just wondering.]

Any and all advice deemed necessary would be appreciated.

 

[Trega]

Well from 2 to 6-7 will be a lot more effort in my opinion. That is 3 times the hay, pellets, vegetables, space in your home, vet bills, your time and energy for floor time etc. I guess you will know if you look in your bank account and know you can spend three times the amount of money on your pigs than you do now, and if your daily life has the time to interact with them and take care of them.

I used to have 4 guinea pigs, when one got sick, (and you can't always catch it right away) all the other would get it too. Four vet bills is a lot of money, much less 6 or 7. Though if you feel like you are able, that is great! I guess all I am saying is really think about it beforehand!

 

[jowasaurus]

Well I guess my biggest concern would really just be the amount of TIME required for cage cleaning, floor time, lap time. I have an aaammaaazzingg vet. Absolutely amazing.
My Bocefus had a fungal infection right above his eye when I got him. . . Out of the probably 10 visits total that I went to see the vet I was charged $7 total! Some days I would go in for a "check-up" and he'd pick Bocefus up, look at his eye real close, weigh him, then just say "Come back in a week. Keep up with the medicine." and walk out of the room! lol No charge that day for me or Bo!! lol

Guinea pigs have always been the [one] thing I'm passionate about and I just really want the chance to help some pigs that otherwise probably wouldn't ever get a forever home, except at this lady's rescue.
So yeah. . . Everyone says adding one doesn't really change how much of everything [but food] your pigs require, but I'm guessing at 5 would. . . ???

 

[jowasaurus]

AND is it true that females don't need as much space as males because they're not as territorial? If I were to adopt one of the trios the local rescue has at the moment, I was planning on putting them and Waylon into a 2x5 with a 1x2 loft?

 

[Zuidy]

AND is it true that females don't need as much space as males because they're not as territorial? If I were to adopt one of the trios the local rescue has at the moment, I was planning on putting them and Waylon into a 2x5 with a 1x2 loft?

While it is true that females do not need as much space (kudos for you knowing that, by the way!) 2x4 is the preferred cage size for 2 Guinea Pigs REGARDLESS. So if you are using a 2x5 Guinea Pig cage with a 1x2 loft, you would be good for around 3 Guinea Pigs.

If you are going to have 6-7, under no circumstances should they be kept in a 2x5 cage. You are going to have to ask somebody else what size to use......... the main page of this website only lists the sizes up to 4 pigs, which is 2x6. So, I would assume then you will need to use a 3x.......... somethin' cage.

 

[jowasaurus]

If you are going to have 6-7, under no circumstances should they be kept in a 2x5 cage.

Oh no! Sorry for the misunderstanding. The possible 2x5 would be for maybe 4? One male and the 3 females if I choose to adopt. My other male, and whatever companion he chooses [whether it be male or female, I don't judge], would be housed in a different cage. Mostly because I heard that having 2 males in a cage with females would cause quite some turmoil? And since Waylon is a bullyhead already, I wouldn't want any more trouble.
Would that still not be enough room?

And thanks for the kudos. lol I'm sure I read it somewhere and just remembered from a while ago. I try to soak up as much information as possible so I can share it with others.

 

[Zuidy]

Oh no! Sorry for the misunderstanding. The possible 2x5 would be for maybe 4? One male and the 3 females if I choose to adopt. My other male, and whatever companion he chooses [whether it be male or female, I don't judge], would be housed in a different cage. Mostly because I heard that having 2 males in a cage with females would cause quite some turmoil? And since Waylon is a bullyhead already, I wouldn't want any more trouble.
Would that still not be enough room?

And thanks for the kudos. lol I'm sure I read it somewhere and just remembered from a while ago. I try to soak up as much information as possible so I can share it with others.

Oh I see! Thanks for the clarification!

Still, a 2x5 cage is JUST under the preferred cage size for 4 piggies which would be 2x6.

Also, is the male neutered? Unless you want pups, you should look into having that happen.

Unless, as I said, you want baby piggies!

 

[jowasaurus]

Yeah, they're not neutered yet. But the rescue I am working with is helping me to neuter both of them

 

[arionat799]

I just wanted to comment on what you said about your vet not charging you for a check-up. Mine said it would cost $45!!!

 

[jowasaurus]

I just wanted to comment on what you said about your vet not charging you for a check-up. Mine said it would cost $45!!!

THAT stinks hardcore. Like I said, he's amazing. He's just an old man who is all about the animals at this point. I don't think he cares much about the money and it's a pretty small hospital. My other closest option charges $56 just to walk in the door no matter what your pet is there for and I refuse to pay for that if my pigs are just going in to get weighed or something