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Original poster

Adding a third guinea pig to an established female pair

15 replies

starpatch · 14/08/2021 08:54

I have a one year old female guinea pig and a 4 year old female guinea pig. They have a lot of space both indoors and outdoors (1.2 by 1.8 metres indoors, slightly smaller outdoor run). They get on extremely well. The reason I am considering adding a third is because I don't want the 1 year old to be on her own when the older one dies. I could wait until that happens but its quite hard to find female guinea pigs for sale in this area, so it would be likely to take a few weeks to find her a new female friend. I have been offered a female baby guinea pig but am having doubts, is it likely to be a mistake to add a 3rd?
Thanks

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 14/08/2021 09:13

Generally there are no issues with girls bonding, so if you have the space just go for it. A good tip is to give them all a bath together so they all smell the same and make sure they have a bowl of food each and a hide each so there’s no fighting over those things.

Original poster
starpatch · 14/08/2021 09:19

Ah thanks that's reassuring :-) , yes there enough hides (if you count the cardboard boxes which the piggies do I think! ) And I was thinking of building a low platform anyway which would give them more space to hide under. The baby is not ready yet so that would give me time to get ready.

OP posts:
Beamur · 14/08/2021 09:23

I thought 3 wasn't a great number for piggies?
It may depend on your current residents and the space they have. But I had 3 from the get go and ended up seperating one off as she was getting bitten. All 3 girls, together from babies. A wiser piggy owner than me said 3's rarely work.

Original poster
starpatch · 14/08/2021 09:31

Ah off to have a google!

OP posts:
Beamur · 14/08/2021 09:32

Maybe get 2 more Grin

Bagelsandbrie · 14/08/2021 09:37

I’ve had 3 girls several times, all different ages and no issues. The key is to having enough space for them all so they don’t fight.

I’ve now got one (neutered) boy and 3 girls all together. He’s like a king with girlfriends Grin

AwkwardPaws27 · 14/08/2021 09:44

I introduced a third before, no issues. It was no different to introducing a pair really (girls only; trios of boys tend not to work). Another sow or a neutered boar should be ok.
I usually bond in a (dry, empty!) bath, as a neutral area, with a big pile of hay and some veg.
Give the hutch a good clean before putting them in together. I remove any hides with only one exit - tunnels are fine - so no one can get boxed in for the first few days.
Make sure your hutch meets the minimum requirements for three though (10.5 sq ft minimum, over one level - extra tiers are ok but only one level counts towards the size guidelines).

Original poster
starpatch · 14/08/2021 17:10

Thanks I think I am going to risk it! Will keep mumsnet updated! There is 18 square feet. Thanks for the advice about the introductions and shelters. She is not ready to collect yet, but we are going to see her tomorrow.

OP posts:
Chunkymenrock · 14/08/2021 17:20

Yes a baby should be fine to introduce. I've got 3 girls and they are all good friends and perfectly happy. Agree with the hideys with 2 openings, at least 1 each.

Trinacham · 14/08/2021 17:57

I've had 50+ guinea pigs (used to dabble in a bit of small scale breeding and attending shows) never had any issues with introducing female guinea pigs, especially when one is so young at introduction

Trinacham · 14/08/2021 17:59

@Beamur

I thought 3 wasn't a great number for piggies? It may depend on your current residents and the space they have. But I had 3 from the get go and ended up seperating one off as she was getting bitten. All 3 girls, together from babies. A wiser piggy owner than me said 3's rarely work.
that's not right. Guinea pigs can live in large groups. Never had any issues like that myself. In fact, the very first guinea pigs we got (I've had over 50 over the years) were a trio of girls.
Beamur · 14/08/2021 18:08

I think maybe one of my girls was just a bit of a meanie!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 14/08/2021 22:50

Three is not adviced with boars .
A female trio is less of an issue provided you do the introductions sensitively .
Bath them ( if your baby is very little then maybe just wipe her over to give her the same smell)
Clean and neutralise their house - steam clean, some new boxes (2 doors) move things about .

Your sows might be a bit judgey at this new , lightning fast upstart that you've introduced Grin

When we bonded GP1 (adult) with GP3 (6 weeks) , GP1 was so pleased to have company after his brother died . But GP3 wanted to velcro himself onto his new friend . He wandered about then squeaked and GP1 ran to him.
By the end of night one GP1 settled himself on a folded towel to try and sleep Grin

Once your new female is a bit bigger you could think about a castrated boar to give you a lovely herd ...

Original poster
starpatch · 15/08/2021 19:47

Ah thanks! I took DS to see the new guinea pig today so I am definitely committed now! She is tiny never seen one so young before, she is crested with black and pale orange and very speedy! She will be ready in 3 weeks :-)

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 15/08/2021 20:24

@starpatch

Ah thanks! I took DS to see the new guinea pig today so I am definitely committed now! She is tiny never seen one so young before, she is crested with black and pale orange and very speedy! She will be ready in 3 weeks :-)
How lovely! Hope she settles in well.
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