Hello everyone, so recently i picked up a small I'm guessing 4 month ish pig off Craigslist, and began introducting her to my almost 1 year old sows, i live in a packed house so it wasnt possible and continues not to be, for me to find a neutral space inside but i regularly take my 2 outside, i chose an area that they havent been feeding on yet and introduced them together but things arent going well, there was a bit of sniffing at first but thats the only positive interaction i seen my 2 older pigs give to the young one, other than that they lunge and nip at her and chase her around biting her, i dont know if they perceive the outside as their territory or what i figured its the outside its a fresh patch of grass why would they get territorial over that, the youngling seems terrified of them at this point, freezing whenever they approach her, it hurts to see cause when she first came here she seemed to excited to finally have friends as she was alone before that. i dont know what to do, its been a week and little to no progress came out of those sessions, I'm hesitant to keep putting them together because the baby just freezes up and keeps getting bit /not to the point of blood but the one time i did interfere they drew blood on me / i know i shouldve had a blanket but it was sudden. should i give it a rest, or try something new?
2 sows wont accept youngling
- Thread starter Gemx
- Start date
Truffolo
Teenage Guinea Pig
She is probably just outgrowing her baby immunity and they are less tolerant of her. I was told give piggies lots of space and don't use hides with small single entrances where the underpig could get stuck with a grumpy bigger piggy. Perhaps space to escape into and places to hide, such as in piles of hay would help. I've never kept girl piggies though. Someone who is experienced with sows should have good advice for you. I think it can look quite rough, but as long as they are letting her eat and drink, and not biting hard enough to injure her, things might settle.
Welcome to the forum
Bonding is a one time event - you put them on neutral territory and leave them for several hours before moving them to the thoroughly cleaned out cage together if all goes well. No hides in the bonding pen.
If you have been putting them together and then separating then that could be hindering their progress and causing them to start all over again. (Although sows can be more tolerant if it than boars, repeated separation still isn’t something to be done).
It takes two weeks of permanently being together 24/7 for them to fully form their hierarchy so this is why repeated separations also causes a problem.
You have to put them together once and work out whether it’s working or not. They have to be a character match for it to work and while adding a young piggy means she is less likely to challenge the hierarchy, she isn’t a baby anymore it doesn’t mean acceptance is guaranteed.
If acceptance didn’t occur (usually within the first half an hour), then there is nothing you can do and trying again won’t make any difference.
If the behaviours are within normal dominance then there is nothing wrong and you should not separate them (as there is no need to do so).
Chasing is a normal dominance behaviour.
Nipping is a gesture of power from a dominant piggy. It doesn’t break the skin and isn’t biting. It’s not aggression.
These things aren’t concerning and are par for the course of bonding.
However, lunging is defensive - stay out of my space. Doesn’t always mean it’s the end of bonding though.
However if it is forceful, repeated lunging and they definitely do not want her with them then the bonding will fail.
How long have you put them together before separating each time?
If there is a fight (less likely in sows) or it’s very obvious that they are not compatible and do not want her as part of their pair (and that means more than just normal dominance), then nothing is going to make any difference I’m afraid.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding is a one time event - you put them on neutral territory and leave them for several hours before moving them to the thoroughly cleaned out cage together if all goes well. No hides in the bonding pen.
If you have been putting them together and then separating then that could be hindering their progress and causing them to start all over again. (Although sows can be more tolerant if it than boars, repeated separation still isn’t something to be done).
It takes two weeks of permanently being together 24/7 for them to fully form their hierarchy so this is why repeated separations also causes a problem.
You have to put them together once and work out whether it’s working or not. They have to be a character match for it to work and while adding a young piggy means she is less likely to challenge the hierarchy, she isn’t a baby anymore it doesn’t mean acceptance is guaranteed.
If acceptance didn’t occur (usually within the first half an hour), then there is nothing you can do and trying again won’t make any difference.
If the behaviours are within normal dominance then there is nothing wrong and you should not separate them (as there is no need to do so).
Chasing is a normal dominance behaviour.
Nipping is a gesture of power from a dominant piggy. It doesn’t break the skin and isn’t biting. It’s not aggression.
These things aren’t concerning and are par for the course of bonding.
However, lunging is defensive - stay out of my space. Doesn’t always mean it’s the end of bonding though.
However if it is forceful, repeated lunging and they definitely do not want her with them then the bonding will fail.
How long have you put them together before separating each time?
If there is a fight (less likely in sows) or it’s very obvious that they are not compatible and do not want her as part of their pair (and that means more than just normal dominance), then nothing is going to make any difference I’m afraid.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Truffolo
Teenage Guinea Pig
That's interesting! If the little one can bear it, leave them together until they are all settled. It takes a while, I think for them to adjust and the time depends on their behaviour rather than a set amount of time. Of course if the youngest is stressed out too much, perhaps it won't work after all. It does sound like some normal adjustment is happening. Fingers crossed!
The advice you’ve been given so far about bonding is not correct. Even leaving them an hour is not correct. You simply put them together once and do not separate them at all after the very first moment you put the together, unless the bonding categorically fails.
Not being accepted by one or both of the original pigs is an outright failure and bonding should not continue or be attempted again.
Bonding is literally one meeting - make or break on that one day.
Acceptance takes between the first 5 and 30 minutes of the meeting. A bonding can fail right here and never be able to go any further. If they get through the first half an hour together then it’s usually safe to say acceptance has occurred and they then go into hierarchy phase while on neutral territory which takes a few more hours. Then you move them to their permanent cage and they go into the final stage which then lasts two weeks.
If you separate at any time after the very first moment they are put together in the bonding pen then you stop everything.
It’s so important that you are reading the behaviour correctly and not panicking/separating unnecessarily (as that will harm their bond).
What I can say is that the nipping and chasing is normal, it will happen and is not of concern. That is simply the older pigs putting youngster in her place at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Some lunging can be ok and is a defensive fear based behaviour - your older pig may be feeling unsure of her position as dominant piggy. It does not necessarily mean failure is inevitable if the underpig submits and dominant backs down given a bit more time.
However, If one piggy is lunging continuously and clearly wants nothing to do with the youngster during the acceptance phase then the bonding will/has fail(ed).
If the two original piggies turn on each other then it’s not worth continuing as it can break their bond. You have to accept that the bonding isn’t going to work.
QUOTE - i would really like to make them work because the young one has been alone for a while and looks like she really wants friends, is it possible to make it work if i keep them separated for some time and re introduce them?
No it’s not possible to make it work. You cannot influence their compatibility at all - they either like each other today and for the rest of their lives or they hate each other for life!
If the bonding fails first time then living side by side and trying again down the line won’t make any difference, it’ll just fail again.
(It is recommended that when you bring a new piggy home that they live side by side for a few days/week before bonding day as a way to calm down and get to know each other between the bars. However, it still doesnt mean that the bonding will work. If they are not compatible living side by side doesn’t change anything).
If it fails now then it’s a case of having a two cages permanently. Leaving the original two together and then ideally finding a fourth piggy to bond with the youngster. (Best done via dating at a rescue centre to ensure compatibility and a successful bond).
While a single pig can live happily side by side with other pig(s) as it allows interaction between the bars without the need to share territory, living with another is the best option where possible.
Read our guides below - they detail how to bond, the types of behaviours which are normal, how bonding looks in reality, the also show the types of behaviours which means bonding has failed or is not likely to be successful.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
If you are sure what you are seeing so far has been an outright failure in acceptance, then sadly it’s best that you do not try it again.
If you are not sure whether you may have just stepped in too soon, then , once you’ve familiarised yourself with the guides, put the piggies on neutral territory with just hay and no hides.
If acceptance does occur, then leave them in the bonding pen for several hours/all day.
If acceptance does not occur, then separate them and leave them side by side permanently.
If acceptance does occur, while they are in the bonding pen, you then need to clean out the cage they are to live in (make sure it is 180x60cm for three sows).
After a few hours you can then move them to the cage together. Add some open ended hides (never use hides with one door). They will then continue bonding. This part takes around two weeks and during that time you will see dominance behaviours. That’s fine and normal so you leave them to get on with it.
Very occasionally, a bonding can still fail within that first two week period if they fail to establish a hierarchy. Again, if that happens then you will need to separate and not try to bond them again.
Not being accepted by one or both of the original pigs is an outright failure and bonding should not continue or be attempted again.
Bonding is literally one meeting - make or break on that one day.
Acceptance takes between the first 5 and 30 minutes of the meeting. A bonding can fail right here and never be able to go any further. If they get through the first half an hour together then it’s usually safe to say acceptance has occurred and they then go into hierarchy phase while on neutral territory which takes a few more hours. Then you move them to their permanent cage and they go into the final stage which then lasts two weeks.
If you separate at any time after the very first moment they are put together in the bonding pen then you stop everything.
It’s so important that you are reading the behaviour correctly and not panicking/separating unnecessarily (as that will harm their bond).
What I can say is that the nipping and chasing is normal, it will happen and is not of concern. That is simply the older pigs putting youngster in her place at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Some lunging can be ok and is a defensive fear based behaviour - your older pig may be feeling unsure of her position as dominant piggy. It does not necessarily mean failure is inevitable if the underpig submits and dominant backs down given a bit more time.
However, If one piggy is lunging continuously and clearly wants nothing to do with the youngster during the acceptance phase then the bonding will/has fail(ed).
If the two original piggies turn on each other then it’s not worth continuing as it can break their bond. You have to accept that the bonding isn’t going to work.
QUOTE - i would really like to make them work because the young one has been alone for a while and looks like she really wants friends, is it possible to make it work if i keep them separated for some time and re introduce them?
No it’s not possible to make it work. You cannot influence their compatibility at all - they either like each other today and for the rest of their lives or they hate each other for life!
If the bonding fails first time then living side by side and trying again down the line won’t make any difference, it’ll just fail again.
(It is recommended that when you bring a new piggy home that they live side by side for a few days/week before bonding day as a way to calm down and get to know each other between the bars. However, it still doesnt mean that the bonding will work. If they are not compatible living side by side doesn’t change anything).
If it fails now then it’s a case of having a two cages permanently. Leaving the original two together and then ideally finding a fourth piggy to bond with the youngster. (Best done via dating at a rescue centre to ensure compatibility and a successful bond).
While a single pig can live happily side by side with other pig(s) as it allows interaction between the bars without the need to share territory, living with another is the best option where possible.
Read our guides below - they detail how to bond, the types of behaviours which are normal, how bonding looks in reality, the also show the types of behaviours which means bonding has failed or is not likely to be successful.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
If you are sure what you are seeing so far has been an outright failure in acceptance, then sadly it’s best that you do not try it again.
If you are not sure whether you may have just stepped in too soon, then , once you’ve familiarised yourself with the guides, put the piggies on neutral territory with just hay and no hides.
If acceptance does occur, then leave them in the bonding pen for several hours/all day.
If acceptance does not occur, then separate them and leave them side by side permanently.
If acceptance does occur, while they are in the bonding pen, you then need to clean out the cage they are to live in (make sure it is 180x60cm for three sows).
After a few hours you can then move them to the cage together. Add some open ended hides (never use hides with one door). They will then continue bonding. This part takes around two weeks and during that time you will see dominance behaviours. That’s fine and normal so you leave them to get on with it.
Very occasionally, a bonding can still fail within that first two week period if they fail to establish a hierarchy. Again, if that happens then you will need to separate and not try to bond them again.
ScrufflesRules
Forum Donator 2024/25
You've been given amazing advice above 
If you want, you could upload some videos of the behaviour which concerns you to YouTube and post the link here, so we can give you some more opinions.
If you want, you could upload some videos of the behaviour which concerns you to YouTube and post the link here, so we can give you some more opinions.
I made a post here earlier and with no success things have not gotten better, maybe slightly when theyre outside they tolerate her a bit more, and they popcorn with her when it comes to dinner time but Gaia my dominant female wont have it and i havent put them together since i noticed clumps of fur in her teeth. anyways i was thinking of a. getting a female specifically for the new guinea pig to bond with, or b. a neutered male that will hopefully neutralize all the aggresion right now, id like to know which option would be better, i have option c. which would be to give her away which ibwould hate to do, i just dont have it in me to part ways with an animal i decided to care for
I’m sorry to hear the bonding failed. Adding a single sow to a bonded pair can be a rather tricky bonding to get to work.
I’m not sure what you mean by getting a new piggy to neutralise aggression. If the bonding between the three sows has failed, then you cannot put the new sow back in with the pair at all. Adding a fourth piggy and then trying to get all four of them together still will not work.
You absolutely can get another piggy to bond with the single sow though but they and your other pair will need to be kept in two separate cages permanently.
It doesn’t matter whether you get a neutered boar or a sow to be her friend. Character compatibility between them both is the important factor.
I’m not sure what you mean by getting a new piggy to neutralise aggression. If the bonding between the three sows has failed, then you cannot put the new sow back in with the pair at all. Adding a fourth piggy and then trying to get all four of them together still will not work.
You absolutely can get another piggy to bond with the single sow though but they and your other pair will need to be kept in two separate cages permanently.
It doesn’t matter whether you get a neutered boar or a sow to be her friend. Character compatibility between them both is the important factor.
Hi
with @Piggies&buns .The bonding between your sows has failed and adding more piggies won't make your sows change their mind about the new girl - they do not want her. Full stop. Your pair have made up their mind and are not going to change it. Any frther meetings won't improve the situation. A neutered boar cannot heal a dysfunctional group and you cannot make the girls work against all their social instincts.
What you are looking at is two pairs and a friend for our new girl, whether that is another sow or a neutered boar.
How old is your new sow? Sorry for asking; I haven't got the background. If you are commenting on an ongoing case, then it would be helpful if you please continued on the same thread so everybody has a chance to catch up with the info for those members that are not on here daily or busy with other jobs.
Threads merged
Hey! i want to thank everyone for the advice and input, i ended up finding a girl closer to her age on craigslist, owner says she was born 16th of june, but I'm worried if thats potentially too young? (current sow is 5 or 4 months) I'm guessing, I'm scared about it going south for the second time so i want to be sure of making things right this time, because theyre so young should i skip out on the quarantine and have them attempt bonding as soon as possible? should i still make a seperate cage? or clean out the one i have and plop them in there if bonding is successful, seperate cage just in case? i feel like arlie (my 4 month old) is pretty desperate for a friend, i mean she's been trying to make friends with mine after they rejected her, so idk if she would accept anyone at this point or if theres still a risk. another thought i have is what if my older sows take a liking to the new pig, itd be awkward if all 3 of them got along excluding my 4 month old, not like i would put them together but they can sniff eachother through thr cage i have setup for now. i dont know id just like this to work out this time so any and all help would be greatly appreciated, (i looked over the existing forums here but still just wanna mke sure)
Ramia
Adult Guinea Pig
Bonding has to be done in neutral territory, so outside the cage your current girl is in.
You must not quarantine - the new pig is too young to go through any quarantine. Bonding needs to be done straight away.
Bonding must be done in neutral territory - do not put the baby directly into her cage as it will cause a territory invasion and potentially a fight.
You need to introduce them somewhere which your current piggy does not see as her territory.
They need to be in the neutral territory bonding pen for several hours. Once acceptance has occurred you can thoroughly clean out the cage they are to live in and after several hours of bonding and if all goes well you can then move them to the cage together.
The guide below explains how to do a bonding
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Being able to interact through the bars is not relevant - if the older pig does like her through the bars, it won’t make any difference to the bond with your single piggy.
Bonding must be done in neutral territory - do not put the baby directly into her cage as it will cause a territory invasion and potentially a fight.
You need to introduce them somewhere which your current piggy does not see as her territory.
They need to be in the neutral territory bonding pen for several hours. Once acceptance has occurred you can thoroughly clean out the cage they are to live in and after several hours of bonding and if all goes well you can then move them to the cage together.
The guide below explains how to do a bonding
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Being able to interact through the bars is not relevant - if the older pig does like her through the bars, it won’t make any difference to the bond with your single piggy.