First meeting

[Fiona*]

Introduced my 2 boys (6 months old) today for first time, both were single rescues.
Held one up to others cage, 1 in my arms very vocal squeaking and saying hello. 1 in cage curious but very quiet, was it a good start or was one in my arms way more interested than other? Never attempted to bond pigs before

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am afraid there is no way of knowing given this wasn’t a proper introduction and bonding session. You cannot gauge whether they are going to get on until you actually carry out the bonding in neutral territory with them physically being put together.

 

[Fiona*]

Fair enough, thanks

 

[artcasper]

Hi Have a look through the bonding guides here..lots of helpful advice on how to proceed with a bonding etc..

 

[Piggies&buns]

Have you seen the guide on how to carry out a bonding? I’ll link it in below.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[artcasper]

Have you seen the guide on how to carry out a bonding? I’ll link it in below.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

i need to learn how to do links

 

[VickiA]

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonds In Trouble
These are the most helpful guides. You will need to ensure there is a completely neutral space for doing the introduction. And with boars you need to see it through right to the end (success or failure) in one session.

 

[Swissgreys]

Please read the guides above, and offer your boys the chance to expereince a proper introduction on neutral territory.
Holding one pig up to the cage of another won't really tell you anything - they need the opportunity to interact and go through all the necessary piggy behavious to work out if they will like each other.

 

[Fiona*]

Thanks all
Always find this forum great for good advice

 

[Piggies&buns]

we are here to help!
it is important that you know what you are looking for and don’t panic, step in and interrupt things.
Given they are both just starting their teens, it can be a very tricky time to bond boys. It comes down entirely to character compatibility whether their relationship will work. It is also important for teen boys to have a lot of space. Ideally a cage of a minimum size of 150cm x 60cm, the bigger space you can give them the better as lack of space can cause tensions and relationship issues.

 

[Wiebke]

i need to learn how to do links

You click on the guide you want to link in, then copy its location address right on the top of the screen and paste that into your post.

I would however strongly recommend to please read our bonding links and NEVER just plonk a new piggy into a cage. It is generally perceived as an intruder and will be very much insecure and on the defence itself - the perfect recipe for a bonding fail.

You can also never do any boar bonding in tiny meetings; once you have committed to an introduction on neutral ground, you need to see it through. If you are worried, rather leave them in the bonding area overnight. As soon as you separate, boars have to go right back to square one and start all over the again past acceptance until they have been able to establish a hierarchy and a working group.

All the best!