Guinea pigs - sows

[julesjoy]

Realistically, how much more work are 4 sows than 2 sows and a neutered boar, in terms of cleaning out and day to day mess? I really don't have the headspace for a full clean every day, but 3 were manageable in day to day care. Also, would 4 sows fit comfortably in a 6x2 double hutch?
Not that I'm getting anymore piggies, you understand, I need the bad sides here! (Fallen in love with two girls on a rescue page).

 

[Mynstrel]

I have 4 sows currently and by god they're messy. They eat more hay pound for pound than the horses do and everything (and I mean everything) that goes in there gets eaten, bliss, hay, the lot, cleaning out is literally shovelling out s?t, there's no bedding left.

I've had 6 together in the past that have made less mess than this lot, these are the worst I've ever had (and I've had a few!). It's ace when they talk to me though ?

 

[ester]

Yeah we understand

I have 4
For mine in their winter indoor quarters they get skipped out of hay and any bad patches a couple of times a week an a more full muck out on the weekend. -thats 2m40 x 60cm of aubiose and they have a top level for hay but that's with fleece as that bit has no walls to keep bedding in. so thats just a lift hay once done with and sweep poos. total area is a bit less than a 6x2 double hutch would be.

In the shed they're fine to do once a week, so you could just get a shed .

My main issue was one of the newbies and one of the oldies trying to kill each other- I got all those facebook memories last week. They're best friends now though!

 

[julesjoy]

Thank you, that's what I need, real life experience! I had my fair share of chaos and fallings out that lead to the neutering and 2 girls being acquired, I could do without more of that. But they are very cute. Hopefully someone else will adopt them soon so I don't have to keep looking at them!

 

[ester]

Nah you should get them ?

 

[julesjoy]

Aww, happy furry potatoes

 

[ester]

They have an olio hoard this week as they guy down the road messaged yesterday and said he had some unclaimed salad bags then handed me a carrier bag full ?.

Flossie is def an outsider though, I think the rest think she is a bit weird (which is true tbf)

 

[scats]

Ester, I love your piggies
I’ve only ever had boars, but would like some sows one day. What does everyone prefer and why?

 

[julesjoy]

I mean my first two were boars and fell out so I'd say girls based on my tiny sample. And you can create bigger herds if desired while boars are best in twos.

 

[ester]

I think boars can be a bit human friendlier of the girls only Flossie actually enjoy being handled. Marble is ok with it it, tiffin is ok if you don’t carry her anywhere ? and Millie hates it though she’s the boldest/most demanding in the cage

 

[julesjoy]

All of mine, girls and boys would happily chat away once caught for cuddles, but none ever wanted catching. I think more personality than boy/girl.

 

[splashgirl45]

I had 4 girls but kept them in 2 cages indoors and next to each other as the new girls were much smaller. I used to have a big pen in my living room and they would all be together while I kept an eye on them and when the pen was out on the grass they were in together as well but I made sure I was around to sort out if any problems and also I had a lurcher so needed to keep an eye on her although after a while she ignored them

 

[ester]

We don't have any catching issues they're all self loading ?

 

[julesjoy]

Slight change of plan, new neutered boar coming home tomorrow. Now he's been in a cold conservatory but obviously it's freezing outside. I don't want to put him out and freeze him, or bring him in (maybe in the cold unused bathroom?) and warm him up too much either. Thoughts?

 

[P3LH]

Over the years I found the mess depends on the individuals. I had some who made hardly any mess and others who devoured and crapped out everything that was in the cage for longer than thirty seconds.

Ive always found the boars more mellow but have also always had to separate mine eventually due to fighting/had a Peruvian who was a serial killer.

gosh, I miss having them. Might have to reconsider.

 

[ester]

I guess it might depend how cold was the cold conservatory. . and whether you use snuggle pads or anything outside? We're at -6 tonight which would make me inclined for him to have a cold room if he were here until it's warmer wednesday. (TBF my house isn't that warm, we're currently at 8C (we being me and the pigs, they don't get the heating put on for them ?)

 

[julesjoy]

I'll start a new thread for him