Plus one or two?

[DudeHatesHisCarryOut]

So, am thinking about getting company for Hazel, after Polly died last week (thanks to everyone who posted on it). To my shame it looks as though P@H is my only option - I live in the far reaches of Scotland and guineas are rarer than hens' teeth. It is honestly either that or leave Hazel on her own.

But, do I was one or two? I don't want her to be outnumbered, but, then again, I don't want to be in this situation again. What would you guys suggest? Hazel is about 3.5, an ex-breeder, very keen on the lazy life. Newbies can go in a dogcage in the same room as her (or they could go in the shed) for a week and a half and then I'll socialise them together in the kitchen (home alone the weekend after next, so plenty of time to sit and guard them). Any thoughts?

hello -
your options are a baby sow/ two baby sows or an older neutered boar (boars are lovely )

If you get two young girls then you'll avoid the same lone pig situation down the line BUT there is no guarentee that they'll get on (my two girls didn't get on with my original sows and not with our boar)

There's a poster on MN (agnesf) if you look up her posts , who matched an old sow with two babies. The older girl was definately in charge

You'd need to get them to introduce them (they should have a neutral area/clean box) , she might not take to the first one, you might have to try a few ...

I think I'd go for one pig on the understanding I'd be doing it all again when there's 1 ( eyeballs at my piggie who won't accept the other pigs but hunky dory with her original cagemate )

That was as clear as mud

How friendly are the staff at your P@H? Sometimes if they know about pigs and are amenable, they'll allow you to take your pig along to see if she gets on with one of their pigs. It's always worth giving them a call and asking, although you do risk becoming known as a mad pig woman!

Eh,, there's nought wrong with being a Mad Pig woman Fernie

Mmmmmm
We have only ever had two sows at a time but as they are never organised enough to die at the same time, we find ourselves periodically looking for a friend.
Must admit there has only ever been one 'new' one that didn't work out . She was sent to family in Newcastle and to be honest was basically feral. Used to disappear for days on end and didn't interact with her humans. Strange pig all round.

Anyway, we are lucky that we have a local rescue where we can pig date but did have to use P@H this last time.

We usually introduce on neutral territory and I think the secret is to get them both smelling the same really early on .. so lovely smelling hay to disappear into. I have in the past put a very very small Dan of lavender oil on the back of both necks but not sure if it helped.
Plenty of space for the new one to hide and semi darkness for a couple of hours.

We've honestly never had problems but then have found when a pig from a pair finds itself alone they quickly become sad and depressed ... and so welcome a playmate.........Although Mollie often gives are you still here look at Sadie and it has been nearly 3 years since they were introduced!!!!

We've not really got the set up for more than 2 or space in our hearts, but i do quite fancy the idea of a small herd 🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

Realised that was a long post that didn't really help at all!!

Thanks for your replies. However, since I posted the OP i got two babies! I asked on FB as well and the consensus was to get two, as they'll keep each other amused whilst still being there as company for Hazel. A very kind friend said she was going to Inverness today, and did I want her to pick one up...? I jumped at the chance, as otherwise I'd have had to wait until a week Sunday, and with two weeks' quarantine that would have been Hazel being on her own for four weeks rather than 2. And taking her over there to find a friend herself wouldn't really be practical: it's a 2.5 hour trip each way, and it would be terribly impractical to go just for that, so I'd have to leave her alone in the car, in a car park, for hours which would have been worrying.

The babies are very, very scared. Last time I had babies they emerged from the carrier within an hour. This time it's five hours and counting. Probably not helped by knowing Hazel is nearby, and my cat having to stick her nose in as well. Oh well, they'll get there. Hazel has sensed them, but is ignoring their presence for now. So long as she has food she is happy.

But please keep fingers and paws crossed that all works out fine. In the meantime, here are the obligatory pigtures!

Oh they are lovely little piggies

They will be very lairy , new surroundings, travelling, new sounds and smells and they'll know there's another guinea-pig around.

When we were quarantining (sp) our GP6 boy , GP4/GP5 (our original sows) stalked round his cage, they couldn't see in it but they knew he was there are took up residence (he was 2 weeks post neuter and had to wait 4 weeks until he was sterile)

You'll have little light as feather needle clawed piglets to run up to your neck. Quite a change from a lardy female adult!

Awesome
3 cute piggies, I am sure all will be fine.

70 you weren't wrong about the claws up my neck! I'd forgotten how rat-like they can be. I brought them both through to the lounge to check their genitalia and give them a cuddle. Felicity just lay on my lap, but Blaise kept running up onto my shoulder under my hair. Such fun!