Putting all girls together

[Pamela Barr]

I now have 7 girls and would like them to be housed together but I'm scared to put them together for fear of them fighting. I thought about making an eight foot by eight foot cage and putting them all in there but like I said, I'm so scared. One big cage would be a lot easier to clean than a bunch of smaller ones, plus I think they would enjoy each other's company. They are in twos now, except one and she's by herself. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!:melodrama

 

[C&K]

Could you perhaps try putting them into larger herds first, say a group of three and a group of 4? I think your 8x8 feet sounds large enough. Many people here have large groups and it works very well. Just makes sure you have lots of hidey houses, food dishes, a couple hay racks, and several waterbottles. Also, a second story may work well too for giving them a place to "get away" if they feel so inclined.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

I would put them all down for floortime together in a very neutral area. Watch them and see how they do. I had a herd of 7 girls and they got along pretty well together. Also see www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm

 

[JennG]

I have seven girls (eight at one time) in an odd shape cage. Here's a pic of it:
It's a 2x5 connected by a 3x3 on the bottom level with a 2x4 level on top. I have the hay area and their food dishes on the top level.

Anyways, they'll have the occasional hair pulling (There are a few that will pull Mia's hair, she's the only long haired girl. I think it's jealousy.). And when anyone's in heat, everyone will get humped by them. Except for Callie, no one seems to bother her. She's the ruler of the cage. But try them out in a neutral place, clean the cage entirely (including water bottles, hidey houses, etc...) and just expect some teeth chattering and rumble strutting which may last as long as a week. Good luck.

 

[Pamela Barr]

I did it! I took off yesterday from work, while everyone was gone, so as not to be bothered by kids/husband and made them an 8X8 cage, put lots of hidey houses and tunnels in there, lots of water bottles, hay racks, and food bowls and put them all in at one time. Two of them got into it pretty good and I touched them with a broom and they split up and stayed away from each other the rest of the day. There were a few encounters but nothing serious, my little one, she's probably 6 months old, was picking on all the others, some three times her size! and they would put up with her for a while then would stand up for themselves.

I was a little nervous to go downstairs before work this morning but I was shocked, they all came out to get their breakfast and were getting along fine. The two that got into a fight yesterday were actually sharing a piece of lettuce even though lettuce was all around them. It was nice to see them all together, I just stared in amazement and how well they were getting along. They are sweet little furbabies!!

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Introducing sows in a large group is so much easier than trying to introduce a pair or trio of boars. I really don't know why but it is at least in my experiences. I am so happy for you that they are all getting along. The next few days there will be the normal rituals to establish herd dominance from the alpha all the way down to the last on the totem pole so keep an eye out.

Now all you will have to do is wait for 2 or 3 to come into heat at about the same time and watch them get grumpy with each other. I never once had to separate any of my girls apart.

 

[Pamela Barr]

Thanks alot Ly&Pigs for your help, it is nice seeing them together and their pen is alot bigger than they are used to.