Getting a Baby Guinea Pig, Questions!

[parkpiggies]

Hi,
I'm picking up a new baby guinea pig tomorrow evening, who is going to be living with one of my three girls. I am just looking for some advice on what to do when I bring her home. I will have her cage set up ready, separate from the others, but how long should I keep her separate for before introducing her to my other girl? Any advice welcome, thanks in advance!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,
I'm picking up a new baby guinea pig tomorrow evening, who is going to be living with one of my three girls. I am just looking for some advice on what to do when I bring her home. I will have her cage set up ready, separate from the others, but how long should I keep her separate for before introducing her to my other girl? Any advice welcome, thanks in advance!

Hi!

How is old your baby?
Please double-check the gender upon arrival.

Youngsters under 4 months of age are desperate for a group to belong and rely heavily on the guidance of their elders; you will have to introduce and then quarantine the pair together in another room for 2 weeks; like I did with little Begw and her adult husboar Dylan (you can find a video of their intro in the quarantine cage - note that I knew that Dylan was totally unaggressive and already very good and accepting of baby boys; he just couldn't cope with a teenager, so restricted space in that case was not a problem).
See the intro chapters (including quarantining advice) and the chapter on baby bonding in the guide link below. I usually start with a divided run to give your own piggy time to meet the youngster and get their bearings a little first.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[parkpiggies]

Hi!

How is old your baby?
Please double-check the gender upon arrival.

Youngsters under 4 months of age are desperate for a group to belong and rely heavily on the guidance of their elders; you will have to introduce and then quarantine the pair together in another room for 2 weeks; like I did with little Begw and her adult husboar Dylan (you can find a video of their intro in the quarantine cage - note that I knew that Dylan was totally unaggressive and already very good and accepting of baby boys; he just couldn't cope with a teenager, so restricted space in that case was not a problem).
See the intro chapters (including quarantining advice) and the chapter on baby bonding in the guide link below. I usually start with a divided run to give your own piggy time to meet the youngster and get their bearings a little first.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

The baby is around 6 weeks, my girl that I'm introducing her to is just over 1 year old (estimate, she was a rescue). Will they need to go together straight away then?

 

[Wiebke]

The baby is around 6 weeks, my girl that I'm introducing her to is just over 1 year old (estimate, she was a rescue). Will they need to go together straight away then?

Yes, ideally on neutral ground away from your other piggies. Please take the time to read the guide link. You will find it very helpful as it will take you through every aspect of the preparation, the actual complex bonding process and the two week post-intro dominance phase in detail.