First meeting was a total disaster. What do I do now?

[Vida]

As the baby boys will be 3 weeks old this weekend, and a lot of changing will be happening for all the guinea pigs, I thought I would use today, as I cleaned up their cages, to place them for a little bit in neutral territory together so they could get to know each other. What a disaster!

Boars:

I put Arwyn and Vashtian (both 17 days old) and Rudy (their dad, over 900 gr and 8 months old) in together. Well I hadn't heard rumbling before but I have now!! The boys were desperately smelling their dad's bum and dad went rumble crazy going on top of the boys, until I had to split them up before he squashed one.

Result: boys are back in with mum and sister and are now rumbling and chasing them, whilst dad (who was gentle and quiet on his own) is biting at his cage, squeaking and obviously in despair.

Sows: (except Willow who is by herself at the moment undergoing mite treatment)

I put Ash and Chestnut (almost 3 months old) with Matty (thier mum, 8 months) and Tara (17 days old).
Matty was attacking Ash and Chestnut, who in turn were attacking Tara, so had to split them up quick. Matty was getting really aggressive.

Result: Ash and Chestnut are back together and are now being nippy with each other, which they hadn't been before.

So what do I do now?!?!?! How on earth am I going to get them get along before Sunday. I only have 4 cages. Suggestions?

 

[Wiebke]

HUGS!

New mums can be aggressive when being reintroduced; it's not uncommon. Can you keep her next door to her older daughters, just separated by a mesh/bars, so they can have as much contact as possible. If possible, start with giving them short bursts of shared run time, preferably over some food or just separated by some bars; separate whenever things escalate. Try and give mum and older daughters (not the baby, she's too young) a bath before full introduction so they smell all the same. The girls will calm down again; they are just upset. It may take some time, though. Sorry - sometimes it works, others not.

Can daddy have some time next to his boys as well? I think his behaviour may have been more of dismayed surprise than outright hostility, but his cage gnawing afterwards shows that he'd like some company.

Guinea pigs can overreact when they presented with an unexpected situation involving new guinea pigs.

 

[Vida]

Will try placing grids in the cages and splitting them up, until they get used to each other. I needed those hugs, thanks. I was quite upset and thought they would love having new company. As for the baths, will search around the forum for info. I have never bathed them yet, the vet told me not to, and would not like to upset them before the move.

 

[Wiebke]

You do not want bathe youngsters and pregnant piggies. However, your are now coming up to the age where they are old enough to have one and mum has had her pups.

We have tips on this thread from our ever so useful reference section:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=47314

Just take it slowly and you will get there eventually. Please remember that Matty is still nursing and very protective. That reflex will die down eventually. Give everypig a couple of days to settle down first; you do not want them to feel pushed, or they will dig their dainty heels in even more!