redfrock Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 I've had my 5 baby boys 3 weeks now, which makes them a whole 11 weeks old! I think their hormones must be starting to kick in because I keep seeing them getting rather 'intimate' with each other The RSPCA assured me they would be ok living together as they are all brothers (bar one who is only 9 weeks old and was put in with them @ 4wks - but he is the biggest by far!). They are in their new home made hutch - 6ft long x 2ft wide and really quite swish - so they have got plenty of room. Just wondering if it is just nature kicking in or whether to be concerned and start building another hutch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrookhamChooks Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Well ........... they are doing the only thing that is more important than eating, ( to a guinea pigs mind, anyway) I've only kept males in pairs, and there IS quite a lot of 'activity' once they get to the teenage stage, then they seem to calm down. I don't know about having a group of five, that seems a lot to me, and I'd be worried that the one at the bottom of the social order might get a bit too stressed, but see how it goes. Your hutch does sound wonderful - plenty of room for them to spread out, which will definitely help reduce any aggro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted June 25, 2007 Author Share Posted June 25, 2007 Thanks CC. I had intended to only have pair but the RSPCA ideally wanted them housed together! So I came home (as you may have previouisly read) with 3 extra mini-lawnmowers and a rabbit that I had had no intention of getting .... not that I would be without them. There doesn't seem to be a pecking order, although I am certain that Roman is blind so he does have a tendency to sniff his way around, and that includes the other boys. Guess I shall just have to keep a close eye on things ... I'll post some photos of their 'penthouse' soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahCavy Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 The mounting I wouldn't really worry about too much. It's just the male hormones. However, IMO the RSPCA were wrong to ask you to take all these to live together. Boys very rarely live happily in more than pairs (pairs are usually absolutely fine) although there are the odd exceptions. It is better to partner them off young as they could well all start bickering amoungst themselves and then it's going to be difficult pairing them. You can also get the problem of a few of them bullying another. Hormones kick in strongly at about 6 months old and it is then that serious bickering could occur. All that being said, there is a small chance it will work so best of luck! I would be interested to hear if they all do live happily ever after. I currently have 3 boys (ages about 18 months, 5 months and 3 months) living in hutch/run (32 sq ft) of space - so far they seem ok but I am ready to remove one boar at the first hint of any trouble! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Thanks CC. I had intended to only have pair but the RSPCA ideally wanted them housed together! So I came home (as you may have previouisly read) with 3 extra mini-lawnmowers and a rabbit that I had had no intention of getting .... not that I would be without them. There doesn't seem to be a pecking order, although I am certain that Roman is blind so he does have a tendency to sniff his way around, and that includes the other boys. Guess I shall just have to keep a close eye on things ... I'll post some photos of their 'penthouse' soon awww are they great for cutting grass!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
