Bonding Mabel & Finley - attempt 2

[Guinea pigs <3]

So I bathed Finley and Mabel this morning, put down some blankets in the hallway and gave the bonding another go. Initially Mabel started off with a few puffs and some teeth chattering but this calmed down. I tried to take some videos, especially when it heated up so the more experienced members could perhaps advice on the behaviour?! It seemed like Finley was backing down to Mabels warnings, which could be why it stayed rather calm?

I tried to keep most of the toys out as this seems to be a bit of a problem, but on the last video I put a tunnel in and it resulted in what I thought looked like a scrap - so I ended this mornings session there to prevent it from escalating. Finley wanted to play in it some more and didn't seem to back down, which caused Mabel to react by throwing herself at him? What do you all think?











Ps, i decided to keep Dottie out of it as her and Finley don't seem to be a problem, and it's easier to intervene when there is just two pigs! Oh and excuse my oven glove in one of the videos! I'm really nervous about them fighting so i feel more confident with an oven glove over my hand if I had to intervene! Haha!

 

[flintstones]

Yes - that last video is a scrap. I only watched the last video but it appears Maple is ignoring him or picking a fight. He seems to be weary of her - this is the exact behaviour my Bette exhibited.

Milo and Bette lived together for a week but the bullying was to much and I had to separate.

Here's a video I took of Bette and Milo.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU3oPd4hoSI[/ame]

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

Thanks Jo, it certainly was that way she's either the other end of the hallway or looking for him to go and bully him mallethead oh dear, it's not looking good! It'm not sure what happened as they were so cuddly on the first day rolleyes

Poor little Finley! Dottie loves him though! I don't want to stress both of them out so are we thinking this one is just not going to work out? If so i wont continue with putting them both out on neutral ground. I can clearly see that Mabel gets stressed, her little chest is always huffing up and down and i just really don't want to put her through that if it's clearly not going to work!

Now i have to re-think up a plan number two, and talk to the OH as if this is the way it's going to be then i have lots of decisions to make mallethead and i want the best for Finley so if he's going to stay he will need a friend :x the problem is we have very little room and caring for 2 pigs is a lot of work let alone 4! But i love little Finley so i'm sure we can think of something, or move something so he can fit in the bedroom....

 

[flintstones]

Thanks Jo, it certainly was that way she's either the other end of the hallway or looking for him to go and bully him mallethead oh dear, it's not looking good! It'm not sure what happened as they were so cuddly on the first day rolleyes

Poor little Finley! Dottie loves him though! I don't want to stress both of them out so are we thinking this one is just not going to work out? If so i wont continue with putting them both out on neutral ground. I can clearly see that Mabel gets stressed, her little chest is always huffing up and down and i just really don't want to put her through that if it's clearly not going to work!

Now i have to re-think up a plan number two, and talk to the OH as if this is the way it's going to be then i have lots of decisions to make mallethead and i want the best for Finley so if he's going to stay he will need a friend :x the problem is we have very little room and caring for 2 pigs is a lot of work let alone 4! But i love little Finley so i'm sure we can think of something, or move something so he can fit in the bedroom....

If you want my honest opinion - I would call it quit's he's not the one for her.

I have a housing solution -

Doesn't take up any more room - than your already using !

4's a nice number ..

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

Ok - thanks for your honesty, i think i already knew the answer deep down! I don't think my nerves could take anymore either :{ Mabel is a feisty little piggy like your Bette! Who does Bette live with at the moment?

I'll broach the subject when my OH's in a good mood! I did think about going upwards...it's a good idea and i already have enough spare grids to make another level...it would mean the girls lose their hay loft but i get to keep Finley....There's no way i'd risk another failed bonding so he would have to go dating...gosh so much to think about!

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

awww hes really trying to be friends with her isnt he? Such a friendly little piggie he is. its a real shame if this doesnt work out, but the suggested c&c house is a really good idea.

I did like the second video where he was straight in that bed as soon as Mabel vacated it, cheeky boy

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

I know i'll let him have a run about with Dottie over the next few days as they seem to get along well. Will this upset either of them? They can still sniff each other through the bars.

At one point (when i was't videoing) Finley was in the bed and refused to get out as he was tired (he had just been through a pampering session don't forget!) and Mabel just sat and stared at him, then tried teeth chattering, he still wouldn't budge

 

[flintstones]

Ok - thanks for your honesty, i think i already knew the answer deep down! I don't think my nerves could take anymore either :{ Mabel is a feisty little piggy like your Bette! Who does Bette live with at the moment?

I'm afraid Bette died - she was over 4 a real character she'd always lived on her own. I adopted Esme on the 11th November and Bette died on the 25th. She lived side by side Esme and Milo before she went to the bridge. She was a lovely pig just never liked other pigs, she was very ill.

 

[piggyfan]

Oh dear. It really does not look like they are going to be friends. How sad. I could not help laugh as when he scractches himself his hair flops around.

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

I'm afraid Bette died - she was over 4 a real character she'd always lived on her own. I adopted Esme on the 11th November and Bette died on the 25th. She lived side by side Esme and Milo before she went to the bridge. She was a lovely pig just never liked other pigs, she was very ill.

Aww, i'm sorry Jo i'm not sure i was around on the forum when she passed to the bridge. I guess there are just those piggies that don't get on with others! I'm lucky Mabel took to Dottie, although she does rumble at her every now and again and boots her out of the beds...i hope she isn't bullying her too!

Oh dear. It really does not look like they are going to be friends. How sad. I could not help laugh as when he scractches himself his hair flops around.

nope! I know, he is so funny with his hair flopping around! Did you see him playing in the tunnel too, he's love them!

 

[Wiebke]

I am sorry that it is not working out for Finlay and Mabel - at least with boys and girls you know right at the beginning!

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

Thanks Wiebke,

She clearly made her feelings evident today so i wont be trying them anymore, it's not fair on either of them! At least now i know and i need to think up a plan B for little Finley! I'm going to make a post now about sow dating to see where the nearest ones are to me.

 

[piggyfan]

I saw him in the tunnel! He loves it. What will you do? Will you take him boat dating?

 

[emmalala]

oh dear, she's not impressed is she?! and I adore finley, he's so cute!

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

I need to think things through properly but if i feel i can keep him in a separate cage (by building on top of the girls) and i think i have enough time and pennies for him and another piggy then yes i will need to get him a friend through boar or sow dating.