[Stones] a "non-stone" message for the board for a change.

[admin]

Hi Joel, 

Whether or not the boys get along when they mature depends totally on their
individual personalities! We've kept males together successfully; only one
pairing of brothers didn't work out. 

As for personalities, they will develop through interaction with you and
your family. *Sometimes* a piggies (male or female) will be a "pig's pig"
and will be more comfortable with the other piggies than with people. As
for differences between males' and females' personalties, it is very
subtle. My experience is that males have been a *little* more affectionate,
and don't have mood swings that some female piggies have (I've had a couple
of females that would exhibit what can best be described as PMS). Males
also tend to be a little "less thrifty" about their living area, and really
don't like having it cleaned up after they've gotten it just the way they
like it. These are, of course, generalities, and just what I've observed
with my piggies. 

Neutering: this is a judgement call. Neutering is a serious surgery for a
male piggie (it's not just "snip!"), and (correct me if I'm wrong, people)
there is no evidence that neutering is beneficial or detrimental to health.
It has not seemed to have any bearing on whether or not stones develop, and
it doesn't alter behavior (make a piggie calmer). Neutering is usually done
so a male can be kept with females. Our male piggies have not been neutered
for those reasons (and they also don't visit with the ladies!).

I agree with your daughter - keep the guys together. ;-)

Good luck - and let all of us know how things work out!

Tex