bonding piggies next week - advice needed

[bsjlmb]

i shall be introducing woody (neutered boar) to beau (sow) next week. i have read all about the process of bonding etc but was just wondering something. if they seem ok together on neutral ground, shall i put them in their new home together straight away. or do i need to give them a few sessions on neutral ground first? they have been living next to each other for a couple of months now with mesh seperating their hutches. i have never seen any teeth chattering or signs of nastiness at all so hoping bonding goes well. any advice would be welcome. sally
this is woody - still very nervous so hoping he will come out of himself when living with beau.
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this is beau - she is the gentlest piggy ever!

 

[Claire1973]

Aww they are both gorgeous! I've bonded a few piggies now and am sure there will be some great advice on here for you, but from my experience id say that if they see to be getting along great on first meeting on neutral ground then yes they are fine to go straight into a new home together! Just make sure that you are able to supervise as much as possible for the first 24 hrs (do you have an indoor cage youcouldput on the bedroom floor overnight or a large crate?) then make sure the new home is totally neutral as well, if any pig has lived in it previously then use a diluted white vinegar solution to wash it and avoid using familiar igloos fleeces etc and also wash bowls etc. our rescue use a drop of lavender oil on a tissue to wipe on both piggies to make them smell similar to help with bonding, they swear by this although ive never tried it. I will be bonding a neutered boar with a female in two weeks time so thesis something's am going to try! Good luck! )

 

[Wiebke]

Sadly, I can't see your pics; they come up as deleted?

As yours have been living next door without any hostilities, I would introduce them straight away on neutral ground.

With sows, acceptance usually happens within the first 15-20 minutes. Ideally a sow will let a new boar mount her at least once, but depending on where she is in her cycle, she may not to and tell him off. Only separate if there are fights or signs of major aggression (see our boar sticky for those). Please be aware that if you interrupt intros, guinea pigs have to start from scratch the next time they meet as they follow a strict protocol.

I generally find a big flat plate of freshly cut grass or hay useful to start the intros.

Some, mainly older and rather dominant sows may be happy to live alongside a neutered boar, but won't like to live with him.

Here are more tips for how to stage intros: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562

 

[bsjlmb]

so their is no point in introducing them to each other over several days - it needs doing straight away. i'm pretty confident that they will be ok as like i said they have been living next door to each other without any problems. by the way woody is 8 months old and beau is approx 12 months.