Bullied guinea pig

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ECJ

I have three young sows (definitely!) all under 4 months old together in a very large hutch. None of them are related. I introduced the newest addition two weeks ago following all the guidelines - neutral environment, lots of treats, group cuddles on my lap etc etc. Unfortunately the other two are bullying this pig and its getting worse - she has bites to her ear and her back and is obviously distressed. I am taking one of the offenders away as much as possible to try and get the little seven week old to establish a relationship with the other one but wondered if anyone had any tips before I have to seperate them completely.

I have never experienced this problem before and am completely baffled!
 
Please don't let this carry on. At 7 weeks old she is far too young to be going through this trauma. Could you get another cage and another baby for her to live with? It is normal for a little bit of bickering to start with. They need to sort out the pecking order but bites to the ears and back are a big worry. Also 3 is not always the best number to live together. I have found that 2 will pair up and leave the other one out.
 
I would remove the newcomer not the offender as their pairing is already established. Treat the bites on baby with cooled boiled water with a little salt added. I would try pairing baby up with another baby sow and once their relationship is established and they are older, you could try introducing them all as a group :)
 
I agree with taking away the baby pig. Perhaps you can try again when she is a little older. i wouldn't split the two bonded ones up the bullying will still continue. :)
 
Poor baby, sometimes they do just pick on one for no apparent reason ?

I had a new young pig and put her in with my original 3 girls, and they chased her mercilessly for the first day or so but then they settled. They weren't actually hurting her though - no bites. How long have yours been together? Sounds like you did every right but sometimes it just doesn't work out! Good luck, let us know how you get on

Sophie
x
 
sows can be bitches sometimes. I've had this problem many, many times. You should either get the baby a young friend, or leave it until they're all a bit older and can cope. Bullying is really nasty and will cause distress to the baby.
 
Thank you all for your advice. Daisy has now been separated from the other two and is currently in a temporary hutch whilst I wait for my husband to build another - could be a while! When this has been completed and her bites have healed, (getting better by the day), she will get a friend, another baby.

In the meantime I have sectioned off the outdoor run and have Daisy in one side and my other two thugs in the other. They can still see each other and both parties continue to show a great deal of interest in the other. I am hopeful that one day they will reach some sort of status quo and be able to spend at least some time together. Will let you all know how I get on, but thank you all again.
 
welcome to the forums from me and the girls from oz. :-* :-* :-* :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: so glad daisy is away from the other two and hoping she continues to improve and will soon have a cage and a new friend. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: hoping this experience hasn't tramatized her. sending hugs and cuddles. :smitten: :-* :-*
 
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