And So It Begins :

[LB14]

So we successfully introduced Duke to Gus a few months back, then added Daisy to the mix and all was great.
But with people saying as the boars get older they may fight over the sow we thought since we have room for one more, we would try another sow as if it came to seperation we could have a girl cage, and boy cage if you see what I mean. That way no party would be lonely.

So I brought Minnie home a few days ago from a cavy rescue, the difference with Minnie is about 1-1.5 years of age.
So far she gets on great with Gus, but with Daisy when introducing she has snapped at her a few times resulting in Daisy squealing the house down. Daisy is our youngest, and I'm trying to do everything the right way but wondering if I'm going to get there or not.

I bring them into the living room and place them on the floor on a blanket with me, Daisy now actually cowers after the first couple of times, and Minnie seems to look for her, sniff her face then lunge at her! With Gus she just potters about. I don't know if it's because she's female, or because she is much smaller/younger - or a mix of both.

Please don't have a go, as I'm just trying my best here but any advice would be very welcome as I would like it to work out long term if it can!

 

[helen105281]

Would it be possible to have 2 boar sow pairings? Both boys are neutered aren't they?

 

[LB14]

They are both neutered yes. I guess that is one option to look at as I don't want little Daisy to be terrified all the time of moving around

 

[helen105281]

Some sows just don't get on, especially as Daisy is used to being the only sow. Have you had a look at the sow behaviour sticky?

 

[LB14]

Yes I had a read I thought it may just be teething problems so I tried again and Daisy now squeals as soon as Minnie comes near her. But Minnie also made a point of chasing her around snapping at her, then doing that stretchy/yawn/teeth showing thing that they do so I'm not hopeful.

She's now started squealing in her cage when the boys come near her and is trying to get out, as though she is suddenly terrified. So I'll need to spend a lot of time with her giving her lots of attention today to settle her back down.

 

[Wiebke]

Like @helen105281, I would recommend to split your four into cross gender couples; they are the most stable pairings of all. You will not have to worry about fall-outs at any stage. Break-ups of cross gender pairs are virtually unknown and your boys will have a happy life living the career dream of any boar! I would put Minnie with the boy she gets on better and Daisy with the other one.

What you are currently witnessing is normal dominance behaviour between the sows, who have to estalish their own sow hierarchy in any group. The squealing is not pain, but submission, and it is generally very efficient in keeping the dominant piggy from going overboard. Any snapping is just letting the other piggy feel the teeth, but it is not breaking the skin; it is just a show of power and very par for the course.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/biological-facts-and-guinea-pig-society.109062/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-sows-or-mixed-pairs-babies-or-adults.108944/

 

[LB14]

Thanks

The boys when first introduced behaved somewhat similar but there was less racket so I'm just generally concerned about doing it right. Duke is due to spend some time with her now he's cleared up so since he's generally the dominant piggy out of the 3 I'm curious to see if they hit it off or not. At least I'll have an idea of who to put with who I guess :/

Just feel really guilty and naively stupid that I thought it would be a great idea to be honest. I have no intention of returning Minnie though, as she gets on fine with Gus so that would be an obvious pairing choice when splitting them all up. He's content just pottering about munching and having the odd mad half hour popcorning everywhere.

 

[Wiebke]

Sounds like having Duke and non-dominant Daisy together and Minnie and Gus would be the best idea! Duke and Daisy should be just fine as they are used to each other and have accepted each other.

 

[LB14]

Sounds like a good idea.
Duke has met her and has strutted around rumbling at her and generally playing "I'm the boss!". But they both seem to get on well. Minnie is just making noises at Duke and seems to be very submissive with him instead of aggressive.
Daisy and Gus are in together for now as Daisy was just squealing at EVERYTHING since her meeting with Minnie. Oh how the dynamics have changed :/ She is even squealing at Gus going near her, but he's only interested in food so he's taking no notice of her and she quietens down. I REALLY don't want to have to put Daisy on her own so I'm hoping she settles again.

 

[Wiebke]

Give Daisy time to settle down; it may take a few days until she comes out of her shell again, but I promise that she will be perfectly fine again! She is obviously one of those very timid, submissive souls that are easly upset.

Minnie sounds fine with Duke; sows can be quite vocal with boars at first, but she seems to have accepted him, so I would stop worrying about either pair and just let them settle down together and work through the small print of the bonding process. things may get livelier again when the girls come into season, but I would imagine Gus being as gentle as possible with Daisy.