Bonding problems.

[piggyfan]

Hello. I have three guinea pigs who live together. On Friday I took on two more from somebody who could no longer care for her girls as she has to move. They live in another cage. Today I set up an area for the two new girls, Marble and Amina and introduced Amelia Jane to them. They all started teeth chattering and even Marble and Amina started fighting together. They both seem to be on heat so maybe it is the wrong time. I would really like them to all get along and eventually I want to build a big enough home for them all to live together. I know you have to introduce piggies on natural ground and be patient but I feel worried. I was shocked when Amina and Marble turned on each other. Does anybody have any advice for me please?

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Uhm, I think it's too soon to introduce tbh. I have six girls together now, two older and established piggies but had quarantined four babies for 2.5 weeks before doing the routine of introducing them - it all went surprisingly without a hitch and they all get along fantastic |)
Our 'married' couple who have only been with us a week have just moved into the set up where we house all 10 of our other piggies but have C&C grids between them and the girls - lots of kissing and piggy chat so had a mad thought that we could bond them into a group of 8 at some point, 7 girls and 1 neutered boy ?/ but am happy with things as they are, would hate myself if things went wrong now so not worth upsetting any of the piggies
Introductions need to be on neutral grounds so feel you may have been a little hasty. You could try again in a few days maybe but follow the guidelines, could be successful. Like humans, we don't or can't always like each other - depends on their individual temperaments

 

[*SRH*]

I had the a similar problem when I had introduce sow to two others and tensions do rise between all of them, causing fighting between all three of them.

Here are some useful pointers.

Vanilla extract has a relaxing smell and will make them all smell the same, dab some onto each of their noses.

However, tempting it is, do not seperate unless blood is drawn or they are or show signs of going into a full blown battle.

Sounds and music help, classical music can help make them feel relaxed but sometimes louder noises like the sound of a pressure hose can make them feel scared and they will find comfort in one another. They will come through a bad situation together as a team.

Animals sometimes associate good things which each other so ensure there is plenty of food.

Sometimes, neutral territory is not neutral enough, there has to be completly new sounds, smells and sights to all of them.

Good luck, stay patient and I hope they bond together soon.

 

[piggyfan]

Thank you so much for all your help. What I have done is made them a new home and put them all together. There was much squabbling but Marble seems to have established herself as head and put a stop to much of the teeth chattering. I just feel sorry for Amelia Jane as she seems to be bottom yet again. She just will not stick up for herself, poor baby.

 

[*SRH*]

That seems very good, if all the chattering has stopped then the chances are that it is all good.

Guinea pigs, will almost always have a bottom rank and as long as they get enough food and water, they will probably not mind. It probably just sounds a bit harsh to us!