Guinea pigs - two or three? Updated

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Guinea pigs - two or three? Updated
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Mithril

Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 11:26 am Post subject: Guinea pigs - two or three? Updated

I plan to get some guinea pigs in the spring (to keep the grass down, provide fertiliser and amuse the children).

Are they like chickens, i.e. they ought to be kept in groups of three plus? We used to have a pair when my eldest daughter was young, they seemed OK and lived to be over 5 years old

I've already bought an outside ark for them that ought to accommodate three. But I'm looking out for a winter one and want to be sure to buy the correct size.

Last edited by Mithril on Sat Dec 29, 12 1:45 pm; edited 1 time in total

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 11:59 am Post subject:
As many as can fit comfortably.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 12:02 pm Post subject:
Youll have hundreds within months anyway.

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 12:12 pm Post subject:
unless they are all male, then you will have hundreds of bits...

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4640
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 12:21 pm Post subject:
I was going to say it depends how hungry you are... Sorry, in a silly mood today. I have only come across piggies in pairs, but can't see a reason why groups wouldn't work? Same sex littermates the safest bet!

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46386
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 12:22 pm Post subject:
0.5 m2 floor per pig .less if moved or fed often . ps re winter nest for outside ,dry ,windproof ,plenty of insulation and bedding hay ,one box for all with internal nest spaces helps keeping warm even numbers are easier to cut carrots for and as they often do buddies makes for a nice social life

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 12:23 pm Post subject:

NorthernMonkeyGirl wrote:

I was going to say it depends how hungry you are...

I was going to say three or two with a bit of sausage meat stuffing...

Mithril

Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 12:39 pm Post subject:

Can't see the kids going for roast guinea pig. Will def get the same sex!

In summer we'll have a tractor system. Just found a gorgeous bargain second hand one of these on ebay. https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Annies_Rabbit_Ark.html I'm such a sucker for pretty heart shaped windows

we'll move it as necessary.

In winter I thought a hutch inside a shed. Will use an inner box as well. Wondering if this would be OK for winter as it has two floors. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150958061012?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619 Or is it the sleeping area that counts? Our two always huddled up in a ball together summer and winter.

Mithril

Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 12:47 pm Post subject:

Nell Merionwen wrote:

unless they are all male, then you will have hundreds of bits...

Our two were males, but litter mates. I think I'll play it safe this time and get females.

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 1:10 pm Post subject:
My two males get on together - but they have been together from a young age.

Mithril

Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 1:20 pm Post subject:

Chez wrote:

My two males get on together - but they have been together from a young age.

My worry is should one die then introducing a new friend might be more difficult. I guess I'm being a bit pessimistic

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 2:09 pm Post subject:
Ours lost his mate last year and being a blind grumpy old man wasn't bothered about being paired up again.

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 4:08 pm Post subject:
I've been told that they fight if you introduce mature boars. Which was why I went for immature ones; makes sense.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 4:55 pm Post subject:

Chez wrote:

I've been told that they fight if you introduce mature boars. Which was why I went for immature ones; makes sense.

I'd describe it as two grumpy old men bneing forced to share a flat. They didn't kcik off but were fractious and petty.

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 12 5:11 pm Post subject:
my two,lads were litter mates. When they retched maturity the fought like billy-o and I had to keep them apart.

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