Joy It's official!

[BlueButterfly]

I'm so excited! It's official, I'm going to get to own my two boy next month! For the full story, look at the thread I posted to help name snickers, https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/70693/. I'm so happy, I can't even wait a month to go get them! I didn't post this thread just to tell you guys though, I have a couple questions.

1. I've never owned boars before (except a baby for about a month) How is it different from females? They're a bonded father-son pair, so there's not too much trouble with dominance and fighting. Do they need to be cleaned more? Do they need more room if they don't fight?

2. Also, they'll be in the same room with females, will that be a problem? They'll be on pretty much on oppisite sides of the room, both on tables, so there's no chance for them to get out and get someone pregnant. But will they be constantly bugged with girls there?

3. Would it be okay if they were in front of a window if he window was closed constantly? would they still get too hot?

4. I have a nice guinea pig carrier (it's really a small dog carrier but whatever.) and it worked very nicely for Harmony for a very short trip. It fits a bowl of food, some hay, some veggies, and could be easily altered to hold a water bottle. But I'm worried because while it works fine for a short trip with one pig, it will be a VERY long trip, and I am driving there, so I'm not sure if it will work long distance with two pigs. Here's a picture of it, with Holly in it for reference. . Or would it be better if I used a small pet store cage? I don't own one, but I could probably get one cheap or free on craigslist. Also, if I do use the carrier, would a towel or two work instead of bedding?

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[BlueButterfly]

Hello? Any one have any advice? Oh, and by the way, when I meant the window was closed, I meant the blinds.

 

[Cavyness]

I'm so excited! It's official, I'm going to get to own my two boy next month! For the full story, look at the thread I posted to help name snickers, https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/70693/. I'm so happy, I can't even wait a month to go get them! I didn't post this thread just to tell you guys though, I have a couple questions.

1. I've never owned boars before (except a baby for about a month) How is it different from females? They're a bonded father-son pair, so there's not too much trouble with dominance and fighting. Do they need to be cleaned more? Do they need more room if they don't fight?

2. Also, they'll be in the same room with females, will that be a problem? They'll be on pretty much on oppisite sides of the room, both on tables, so there's no chance for them to get out and get someone pregnant. But will they be constantly bugged with girls there?

3. Would it be okay if they were in front of a window if he window was closed constantly? would they still get too hot?

4. I have a nice guinea pig carrier (it's really a small dog carrier but whatever.) and it worked very nicely for Harmony for a very short trip. It fits a bowl of food, some hay, some veggies, and could be easily altered to hold a water bottle. But I'm worried because while it works fine for a short trip with one pig, it will be a VERY long trip, and I am driving there, so I'm not sure if it will work long distance with two pigs. Here's a picture of it, with Holly in it for reference. View attachment 23695. Or would it be better if I used a small pet store cage? I don't own one, but I could probably get one cheap or free on craigslist. Also, if I do use the carrier, would a towel or two work instead of bedding?

Thanks very much in advance.

Congrats on your new additions! Boars are fun and I prefer them over sows, they have so much personality and tend to be more outgoing (in my experience).
Yes, boars usually need more room. And just because they are a bonded pair doesn't mean they won't rumblestrut and get into the occasional fight. They need to be cleaned and checked for impaction at least once a week, more often if you have a senior boar.

Many owners have boars and sows in the same room, they should be fine but you need to have a backup plan in case they cannot share a room. As long as the room temperature is kept between 65-75 degrees the boars will be okay, make sure there is no draft from the window on colder days.

As for the carrier, I have never had a trip over 45min so maybe another member can give you advice on that. Good luck!

 

[arionat799]

I used a small animal carrier like that for Ginger's trip, I think they will be so scared they will be huddled up anyway and if they are younger they should both fit.

 

[BlueButterfly]

Yes, I'm very excited for them! Like I said, I had a baby boar for a month (actually one of the ones I'm getting!) and I could tell how much personality he had! Although I don't think anyone could possibly be better or replace my girls!

How much more room do they need exactly? I love my piggies to death, but one of the biggest issues we're having is space.

I just reviewed the spot we were going to put the cage, and it was right in front of a window AND under an air vent. So that's deffinetly not going to work. I guess I'll have to look for a different spot.

Okay good, I really didn't want to have to have to go searching for a little guinea pig cage, and possible spend money that could be put to better use.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Petlovr]

You can still put the cage under the air vent, but I'd suggest putting a small vinyl table cloth over the top so they aren't in a draft all the time.

I also suggest doing the same thing with your carrier. The weather is nicer, but the wind is still chilly (here, anyway) so a piece of fleece over the top should help them feel safe and prevent drafts on the way home.

I drove 5 hrs home with my 'Guinea Girls", and I did have a problem. They pretty much huddled, but when I pulled over after 1 hour to check on them, Daphne was laying flat out on her back with her arms down by her sides, twitchiing. I think she was so terrified, she had some kind of catatonic episode (Not sure). Pull over after 30 min, and make sure everyone is OK, so if you have to turn around for help, you can. Then check on them at least every hour after that. And don't fill up the water bottle, just put a little at a time in it-every bump you hit makes it leak, and then the bedding gets soaked. I learned that the hard way last weekend with my bunny.

Good luck! BTW, I'm supposed to pick up 2 boars this weekend to foster until their owner gets back from traveling. I'm curious to hear what others say-I've never had boars, either. I've been reading "Boars Beahving Badly, I and II https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/...tart=560&sid=5d62da985724ba97f06c477b50a80699

trying to prepare.

 

[BlueButterfly]

That makes sense, thanks, but we've found a new place to put them. They'll block the book shelf, but who needs books when you've got four piggies?

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I always put a towel over at least half of it, so that they don't feel way out in the open. I'll probably cover up all of it during some of the trip, especially since I know Sundae at least likes to sleep during car trips, so he'd probably like the darkness.

Oh no! Was she alright? I'd be terrified if that happened to my pig! I already know Sundae does fine on long trips, since I had to drive quite away to bring him to his current owner. I am a little worried about Snickers though, he's supposedly very skittish. Hopefully Sundae will help him through it. Besides, I have the ability to put their career in the car at a spot where I can check on them every five minutes or so, so there isn't really any trouble there. Thanks for the tip about the water bottle, since we're using towels to line the bottom, how much liquid there is is a bit of an issue.

That thread is both entertaining, and terrifying me. Good luck with your foster boars! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Hhbean]

So happy for you! The only thing different when caring for boys is you have to clean their perineal sac, but after the first few times it does get easier to deal with. Check out this thread on it https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/68628/