Bonding not going well? I'm not sure what to do...

[Carta Elisa]

Just introduced my two sows and they have been rumble strutting and running after each other for 2h30 now... It is looking quite aggressive from my perspective. I feel like it isn't working out. My older one is also nipping at times and yawning repeatedly. The little one is now perched on a hutch while the other one is looking at her. What would you do? Separate them again? Is it ever going to work out?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Rumbling and chasing is dominance and is exactly what happens during bonding. Nipping is not necessarily aggressive either. Read the guides I will link in below to get an insight into what may be going on. It’s important to not separate if things aren’t as bad as you think they are as it will interrupt the process.

Is the pen they are in a neutral area?

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

 

[Carta Elisa]

Just adding some info/ The new girl (who hasn't got a name yet) is a tiny baby and Trixie is now 4 years old.

 

[Carta Elisa]

Rumbling and chasing is dominance and is exactly what happens during bonding. Nipping is not necessarily aggressive either. Read the guides I will link in below to get an insight into what may be going on. It’s important to not separate if things aren’t as bad as you think they are as it will interrupt the process.

Is the pen they are in a neutral area?

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Thank you so much for answering. I am going to be honnest and say that the cage isn't exactly neutral.
They both were in their own cage for a few days, could smell eachother and see each other on the last day. As they seemed curious I kind of accelerated the process and just removed the boundary between the two cages after cleaning them up.
I know this isn't how it's supposed to be done... We lost our Vickie 2 weeks ago and I guess I was to eager to find a friend to Trixie who was very depressed. I feel bad.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I understand your reasoning behind this, but what you don’t want is for one of them to feel the other is invading their territory as that absolutely won’t get them off on the right foot.
Bonding takes a lot longer than just their time in the bonding pen, it carries on for a couple of weeks after the initial introduction.
It’s obviously quite difficult for us without being able to see their interactions, but have you been able to determine from the guides above whether their interactions are simply those of newly introduced piggies rather than an outright failure of bonding

 

[Carta Elisa]

From what I've read I would say they are displaying warning signs (judging by the list of behaviors included in the list). Yawning from the older sown, loud rumble strutting and squeeking, and nipping from time to time.

 

[Piggies&buns]

From what I've read I would say they are displaying warning signs (judging by the list of behaviors included in the list). Yawning from the older sown, loud rumble strutting and squeeking, and nipping from time to time.

Squeaking can also be submission.
If it is indeed a warning, then do keep an eye on them. You are much less likely to see a full on fight amongst sows though (boars tend to do that) so it’s going to be about your judgment. It’s important to not misinterpret or panic and interrupt their bonding as It can often look worse than it actually is

If you are worried and decide to end the session, then if you were to try a reintroduction, then do ensure the area they are in is totally neutral for bonding. While they are in the pen, clean down the cage completely.

 

[Merab]

Try not to panic.
Bonding sows can be very stressful for us.
I has nips and fur pulled out when I bonded, not to mention the squeaking which sounded worrying.
The 2 main protagonists have been best friends ever since.
The bonding guides and reassurance from the forum saved my sanity

Hope it does work out well.

 

[artcasper]

I hope it works out ok...
I came with Winny ( ours since last May ) and 2 girls she was bonded with at the rescue on Saturday... it's been noisy to say the least! The cage was cleaned thoroughly so no smells of Winny from before.. oh she has been a diva to the other 2... strutting about as if to say ' this is my house ' rumbling and chasing... it can be quite stressful listening to it all! I have a camera on the cage and can see what they are doing and sometimes loads of noise and they are no where near each other !

 

[LunaPig72]

Another one popping in to say don’t necessarily assume the worst and definitely use the guides on here as your bonding bible - they are absolutely brilliant and invaluable.

I have done several home bonding sessions with my sows over the years, as well as observing rescue-managed bonding sessions. Not all have been successful but one of the most successful in the long term was the most difficult to witness at the start! My boss sow Lily is a hugely dominant girl and can be really aggressive whilst establishing her leadership - but turns into quite a benign dictator a few weeks later once hierarchy is confirmed and her dominance accepted! Her most epic bonding really went to the wire and it was a good four hours before I started feeling confident it was going to work out. (My three year old then spent the best part of the following week standing next to the C&C cage going “Be nice, Lily! Be nice!”).

I hope it works out for your girls.