Bullying?

[Claire1973]

Hi,
I succesfully managed to reintroduce my female (Pompom) to her original friend Pigwig after they were seperated for a while (due to Pigwig having 2 baby girls). So I have now 4 females all living together in a 2 story hutch.. initially there were fights between the two older females... Pompom even drew blood as she bit right through Pigwigs ear.. however after much perseverance they seem to be living together - no more blood drawn however it is fairly obvious that Pompom is boss and quite a bully. She basically is living "upstairs" and keeping the other 3 at bay so everytime one emerges up the ramp to investigate she runs at them, and they run back down squealing. Pompom never goes down the ramp! Today I have brought the run indoors for some floor time and still Pompom is running at all three of the others, nipping them, making them squeal and basically keeping them inside thier hidey caves...afraid to come out! I put a heap of greens in and she is chasing them away from it! my question is.. do I allow this to continue and hope they sort it out? I cant see how the three under-pigs can be happy living in fear of bullying Pompom - but dont want Pompom living on her own, she is only about 6 months old (if that) .. would she be better suited to another pig altogether, maybe a neutered male? or is she always going to behave badly towards any other pig?

 

[Hanwombat]

Id personally separate them. She has already drawn blood and usually you don't put them back again if that happens and as she is with them she will most likely do it again. The others are getting upset and its not far on them either. It may not make a difference if she was put with a neutered boar but you could always go to a rescue and take her with you to see how she gets on with some other guinea pigs.

I recently separated my trio - their was no blood drawn but my younger male is at his hormonal stage and he was just being a typical young boar by rumbling and chasing but it was upsetting my older males, so he is now in his own cage and awaiting a new friend tomorrow.

 

[Wiebke]

I agree - it does not look like Pompom is willing to live together with the others again.
I draw the line where another piggy is kept away from food; that means that the dominant piggy is not accepting it (or in your case, the rest of your girls) as part of "her" group. I would separate Pompom, sad as it is for you, but the others just won't be happy with her around.

You have done your best and given the piggies all chances to sort things out between them, but they are their own personalities and won't behave like we'd wish them to! Sadly, there is a certain number of sows that simply will not get on with other guinea pigs (female or neutered male).

 

[Claire1973]

I agree - it does not look like Pompom is willing to live together with the others again.
I draw the line where another piggy is kept away from food; that means that the dominant piggy is not accepting it (or in your case, the rest of your girls) as part of "her" group. I would separate Pompom, sad as it is for you, but the others just won't be happy with her around.

You have done your best and given the piggies all chances to sort things out between them, but they are their own personalities and won't behave like we'd wish them to! Sadly, there is a certain number of sows that simply will not get on with other guinea pigs (female or neutered male).

thanks Wiebke 8...

aww that is so sad... but I suspected as much... the mum and babys would be so much happier on thier own. It could be a looong lonely life for that little diva Pompom though :-(