[Gpdd] CARE--keeping boys together

[Cazza177]

Dear Amy

I have two male pigs and have owned them since they were about 3 months old.
Neither are neutered and they get on like old buddies, and they really do
think the world of each other.  I have read in guinea pig care books that
males together should be neutered because they will otherwise fight, but I
personally think this is total rubbish -- my two would certainly argue that
one as well if they could talk!

When I first got them, one was more dominant than the other, but they have
to sort out the pecking order, and because they were odd tiffs about who has
what (sleeping boxes/ igloos etc.), they have one of each!

They are the best of pals, and as long as you monitor the situation and
encourage things along, yours will be, too.  It is so rewarding to see them
together being best mates.

Peter Gurney says the following about castration:-

CASTRATION
In the main I am against this, preferring to deal with birth control by
housing sows and boars separately. Never fall for the old nonsense that
castration will have a marked effect in lowering aggression. In a very few
cases it will have a marginal effect but in the majority of cases, it will
have no effect whatsoever.
There is always a risk in any surgical procedure and as selective housing is
a very effective alternative I do not think the risk should be taken. If
owners feel they need to have their boars castrated then have it done by a
vet with a proven record of success in surgery on small animals.

Good luck  Carole

----------
From: Horsesaavy82 at aol.com
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:20:14 EDT
To: gpdd at gpdd.org
Subject: [Gpdd] CARE--keeping boys together

Hello everyone, about a month ago I posted about the two new piggies  in my
life, a rescued male and female who had been living together. (the family
was 
obviously ignorant and didn't want them anymore) I seperated them but kept a
close watch on the female, Ming Ming, and I am pretty sure she is pregnant,
she  has been gaining weight like crazy...so of course I am reasearching
pregnancy  and babies.
I didn't want babies, as I know there are a lot of piggies in my area  who
need homes, but sometimes when you take on other peoples "throw-away pets"
you 
end up with pregnancies, as anyone who works with animal rescue knows. I
didn't intentionally breed them, I don't want anyone to be mad at me for
that.  
Anyway, my question is, how many of you wonderful slaves have had good luck
with 
 keeping unnuetered males together? I was thinking maybe the boys in the
litter  could eventually live with dad and the girls with mom. I know guinea
pigs 
are  social creatures, and I plan to keep the babies, unless I find good
homes, which  I know will be hard to do..and with all I have heard about the
downsides of  nuetering, it was an idea...I appreciate any advice and
stories..
  Ming Ming and Lenny and I are sorry to hear about Wally, Wilson, and  the
other sweet babies who have crossed the bridge. Our prayers will be with
you, 
and also with all the sweet piggies who don't have homes yet...as well as
other animals.
Amy, Ming Ming and Lenny