Bonding gone wrong, not sure what to do.

[PIGGIES FOREVER]

I would very much need some advice please.

I tried bonding my four girls and a neutered boar the other day, but things didn't go to plan my neutered boy is four months old and my oldest sow of 1 year and 4 mouths which is my sow that was incharge of the group. When I tried bonding my girls with the boar, things didn't go well when it come to putting them in the cage, the sow in charge of the group started chatting her teeth and then went for my boar, so I separated them and left him in there, so he is now in charge of the group and shes on her own now. I don't know what to do ,do you think a rebond will work some time when things settle down? I cannot have a separate cage as a long term issue or a dived cage as this is not fair for my other guinea pigs. Can someone please help me.

 

[Wiebke]

I would very much need some advice please.

I tried bonding my four girls and a neutered boar the other day, but things didn't go to plan my neutered boy is four months old and my oldest sow of 1 year and 4 mouths which is my sow that was incharge of the group. When I tried bonding my girls with the boar, things didn't go well when it come to putting them in the cage, the sow in charge of the group started chatting her teeth and then went for my boar, so I separated them and left him in there, so he is now in charge of the group and shes on her own now. I don't know what to do ,do you think a rebond will work some time when things settle down? I cannot have a separate cage as a long term issue or a dived cage as this is not fair for my other guinea pigs. Can someone please help me.

Unfortunately with sow or mixed gender bonding, many bondings fail in the post-intro dominance phase when the previous leader doesn't feel like they can defend their leadership but are not willing to admit defeat. If you bond at home on spec you always need to have a back up plan at the ready in case things don't go the way you'd hoped.

You can try another intro on neutral ground, but I would not hold my breath and have the oven gloves and a carrier ready.

Unless you can work out a solution with one pair and one trio by splitting your sow group (if necessary with having two smaller cages on top of each other), you may have to give up one of the piggies.
Here is my own two story solution with the help of a cheap Ikea linnmon 75x150 cm table with accommodates a 2x4 C&C cage.

 

[PIGGIES FOREVER]

Unfortunately with sow or mixed gender bonding, many bondings fail in the post-intro dominance phase when the previous leader doesn't feel like they can defend their leadership but are not willing to admit defeat. If you bond at home on spec you always need to have a back up plan at the ready in case things don't go the way you'd hoped.

You can try another intro on neutral ground, but I would not hold my breath and have the oven gloves and a carrier ready.

Unless you can work out a solution with one pair and one trio by splitting your sow group (if necessary with having two smaller cages on top of each other), you may have to give up one of the piggies.
Here is my own two story solution with the help of a cheap Ikea linnmon 75x150 cm table with accommodates a 2x4 C&C cage.
View attachment 138870

Thanks wow I love your piggie setup. When's best for another intro?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks wow I love your piggie setup. When's best for another intro?

Give them a day or two and consider in the meantimehow you would best split your group so no piggy is alone but is with the piggy they like best so you have got a plan B this time. Also observe who is happier to see her back and who likes to stay with your boy.
As you have separated the old leader, expect some heavy duty dominance from her!
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics