Barmy 4 boars recognises that some people keep successful Trios and so our site would not be complete without a page about this.

We stress that inexperienced owners should not attempt to introduce a third boar as this may upset the status quo and lead to permanent separation of all 3. This is because any time you add another pig to a herd you alter the dynamics of the group and the hierarchy has to be re-established. Trios are usually not good news, even with 3 sows... so with the more complicated nature of pairing up boars trios are even more problematic.

We believe 2 is the magic number when it comes to boars. 2 is company, 3 is a crowd! It is unlikely that 3 sexually mature males will live together happily anyway, especially if they have not been together since birth. In all the instances I have heard about of happy trios of boars there are no sows present.

So we know there is potential for a third boar to upset an established pair and lead to fighting, but 3 is not an ideal number of guinea pigs for another reason- often piggy's kept in 3's (boars, sows or a boar with sows) will pair up and leave 1 piggy out or result in Bullying.

Having said that there are some groups of 3 that get on fine.

Your experiences of Trios

 

Your experiences of Trios
Karen-"I have not kept a trio together as in living together, but my late Patch and Smudge (bonded pair), used to tolerated my late Dougal in the run together, with no problems ever. Sensible warning though, 2 is definitely the best in my book, but I take on board that it may work in trios for experienced owners". Julie -" The only trios of boars that I have kept together were brothers, they got on o.k until they were around 3 or 4 months old and then there were squabbles and then nipped ears, so then i had to separate one from the more `bonded` pair. I always say twos company three's a crowd where boars are concerned. Saying that I do have sows and breeding pairs in the sheds near our bachelor boys so things may be different for people with just boars with no sows around.	Above: Karen's boys who grazed as a trio, although they didn't live as one.
Rufus- Rufus has had success with boar Trios. Kostas,  Hunkydory and Dewey (Pictured) live in harmony together. Rufus says introducing older boars slowly& carefully and keeping them away from Sows is his secret of success.Read more about Rufus' Trios on his page in the Your Boars section.

 

 

There are also other options for trios.

Boar Sow Trios

It is possible to keep a neutered male with a pair (or more) of sows- please see our Boars with Sows page for further information of keeping boars with sows and advice on neutering. YOu should never attempt to keep more than 1 boar with a sow or group of sows. If you wish to try this option- 1 boar is the rule.

Side by side Trios

These can be really successful when a pig will not accept a cage mate for whatever reason. A single boar can live next to, but not with a pair of boars, or even sows (in a secure cage). For further information on this please see our Side by Side page which also has lots of ideas for housing solutions for side by side piggy's.