Do my piggies like each other?

[MichP82]

Hello! Brand new to the forum and to owning guinea pigs. We adopted two boys just over a week ago, they are around 7 months old (brothers). They are very nervous and still hide a lot so we haven’t really had them out of their cage much as they don’t seem keen. They are still growling/rumble strutting daily and chase each other. Is this still normal after a week in a new environment or do they not like each other? How can I tell if they are happy? I am worried they are stressed all of the time. Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

The behaviour you are seeing is entirely normal and something they will do for life.
Rumbling and chasing is about them establishing their bond but also how they maintain it.

Right now they are in a two week period of reestablishing their bond but they are also hormonal teenagers.
There is likely also a touch of spring fever, and they will be coming up to the next hormone spike in the next couple of months.
You are likely to see a bit more dominance for the time being.

You only need to worry if they are actually fighting ( rolling around tornado which causes injuries to each other) or if bullying started to occur (which is different to normal dominance).
That means they don’t like each other and should they occur, then they would have to be separated.

how big is their cage? For boars it is essential they have plenty of room (lack of enough territory each can lead to tension which can lead to fall out) - that means a 180x60cm space. If you are using a c&c cage then that is a 5x2 grid cage.

Do all hides have two exits? Nothing enclosed with a single door should be used as that can cause issues and tensions. Both piggies need a clear way out (ie two doors) so nobody can block exits and risks fights occurring inside.

Make sure to provide multiple resources - two hay piles, two water bottles, at least two hides. You don’t want them to ever have to compete for something.
We don’t recommend the use of food bowls. Instead scatter veg and pellets around the cage and into loose piles of hay on the floor. It provides excellent mental stimulation while also meaning the dominant piggy cannot food hog.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

Reacting to group or territorial changes: Dominance and group establishment/re-establishment

 

[Freela]

Rumbling/chasing/mounting is normal dominance behavior for both males and females. Guinea pigs have a hierarchy, this kind of behavior is part of how they maintain it. Plus at their age, hormones play a big role!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Your boys are currently busy establishing their group in a new territory; the behaviour is totally normal for that stage. Rumble-strutting and mounting are behaviours that can run the whole gamut from the very mild to the bullying over the top. They also have other functions. Dominance is usually the stronger, the more insecure the new leader is. If your boys are coming up to 3-4 months (onset of the descent of the testicles, then intense teenage hormone spikes can also play a role.
Dominance has nothing to do with how good friends your boys will eventually become; it is all about what shape their relationship will take and whether they can mesh as a pair and want to be together.

Reacting to group or territorial changes: Dominance and group establishment/re-establishment

If you want to learn more about interpreting behaviours correctly in their situational context, you may find this guide here helpful - it is a good one for bookmarking and looking up as you go along and are gradually learning to spot more of the subtleties: Guinea Pig Behaviours in their Context

For a quick look up, we have the Behaviour A-Z: A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours

Teenage boars (thankfully, the majority of boars actually make it through to adulthood together): Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

New piggies and a new piggy journey are daunting but you will get the hang of it. Thankfully, your boys know what they are on about.

 

[MichP82]

Thank you all! I’ve been quite worried about them. We have a 4x2 C&C cage with a 2x2 loft. Hoping to let them play outside once they are used to being handled. I have held them both a couple of times, one of them will just sit (not sure if he is frozen in fear) and the other generally tries to get away. Not sure if I should continue once a day or just give them a bit more time? They will come out and eat sometime off me more often now, which is good.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you all! I’ve been quite worried about them. We have a 4x2 C&C cage with a 2x2 loft. Hoping to let them play outside once they are used to being handled. I have held them both a couple of times, one of them will just sit (not sure if he is frozen in fear) and the other generally tries to get away. Not sure if I should continue once a day or just give them a bit more time? They will come out and eat sometime off me more often now, which is good.

You may find these guides here very helpful. Don't rush this; it usually takes longer than you expect since piggies are prey animals.

New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

 

[fluffysal]

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of guinea pigs. I have a pair of 2 year old boars who have become very soppy and affectionate. Boars mellow as they get older because the testosterone fizzles out.
I started the trust process by sitting on the floor with a blanket on my legs and treats (cucumber and bits of pepper) when they were out for floor time. It didn't take long for them to be happy to climb on my lap instead of snatching and running away.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Good advice already given.
Don’t push them, let them settle down at their own pace.
Many piggies will never like being handled while others are much happier being held.

Be aware that as piggies are ground roaming animals the 2nd floor doesn’t count as cage space.

Mine are indoor piggies living in a 6x2 C & C cage which is the biggest one I can squeeze into the space available. I have a boar / sow pair

We look forward to getting to know you and would love to see pictures of your boys

 

[CTWC]

Welcome

 

[MichP82]

Thanks everyone! They are definitely getting better at taking food out of my hand (in the cage). One is definitely more confident and will sometimes come right up to the bars looking for treats!

Here are some pics. The grey one is Nugget, the red/brown is Wiggles (the confident one!). The kids named them

 

[Merab]

So gorgeous

 

[fluffysal]

Gorgeous

 

[CTWC]

What adorable boys