4 Guineas - One Not Bonding.....

[Si_B]

Hi all,

New to this forum and keeping guineas....

I've got two girls who are about 6 months - sisters bought at same time and got two more who are about 11 weeks....

One has bonded fine, but the other seems to be at the bottom of the hierarchy and pushed out from houses, sleeping locations etc...

I have a large house for them indoors with three levels so they have lots of room. I've separated one to her own level and she seems fine.... trying to reintroduce but I worry she will miss out on food and get ill

When they all out in garden run eating grass she seems ok and left alone as they all enjoying the fresh grass....

Any advice greatly appreciated regarding bonding, length of time I have to try, length of time when her being separated could cause problems in itself with her getting unhappy on her own....

She can hear and smell the others but not see them due to guinea house layout....

Thank you!

Best Regards

Si

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

New to this forum and keeping guineas....

I've got two girls who are about 6 months - sisters bought at same time and got two more who are about 11 weeks....

One has bonded fine, but the other seems to be at the bottom of the hierarchy and pushed out from houses, sleeping locations etc...

I have a large house for them indoors with three levels so they have lots of room. I've separated one to her own level and she seems fine.... trying to reintroduce but I worry she will miss out on food and get ill

When they all out in garden run eating grass she seems ok and left alone as they all enjoying the fresh grass....

Any advice greatly appreciated regarding bonding, length of time I have to try, length of time when her being separated could cause problems in itself with her getting unhappy on her own....

She can hear and smell the others but not see them due to guinea house layout....

Thank you!

Best Regards

Si

Hi! Please be aware that the hierarchy sort-out can last several weeks and that the behaviour is very normal for that time. Dominance travels down the ladder in a group and ends with the bottom piggy. Make sure that you have at least four hides, ideally with two exits, four bowls (and feed veg and pellets only in small portions that can be eaten in one go 2-3 times a day to prevent food bullying. As hay makes over 80% of the daily food intake, your piggies will not suffer in the meantime), access to hay and water that cannot be blocked.

If your bottom piggy is really bullied and suffering weight loss/not putting on as much weight as a result you may want to consider splitting your group into the original two pairs again. Please do not keep a guinea pig on its own; especially not a young one. Their need for company surpasses any other needs.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Sow Behaviour