Help - Guinea pigs falling out

[mollymuk]

I had a bonded pair of boars (Rudy and Oyster, they're both teenagers and about 10 months old). I then had to take two more boars off of a friend who was moving (Two years old, I took the pigs in April.). This is a terrible matchup and would never do to any pigs again, they already had working social dynamics. Despite this, they seemed to get along for about a month, and all the boars would even sleep together. Oyster and one of the new pigs, Dylan, seemed to like each other a lot.

However, Rudy has started to bully and chase Oyster. He's been repeatedly biting Oyster on the rump. They have 15 sq feet of space, and also two lofts. There's 5 hiding spots for them, and I bought some hay toys. I don't want them to live in a place that's too small for them, and I'm okay with separating them or whatever I need to do. I feel so, so terrible about doing this to them, and I am willing to do whatever I can so they can live happily, but I wanted to ask more experienced owners what they think.

Rudy might be playing? I don't know what he's thinking. He popcorns around after chasing Oyster around a bit. But he draws blood! Oyster has been in his own sectioned off space for now (the pigs can see each other through the cage bars), and now everyone seems fine. But what should I do from here? I assume I broke their bond, is that it for them?
Sorry if this is all over the place and I'm not really asking a specific question, I'm just super worried. I guess I'm asking for general advice.

 

[mollymuk]

Oh no, I posted this without finishing the title. I don't know how to edit the post, can a mod change this to "Help! Guinea pig falling out"

 

[Piggies&buns]

Sadly as you are finding four boars together doesn’t work and 15 sq ft isnt nearly enough space to attempt it. 43 square feet would be the required space to attempt a boar quartet but given they always fail, we would never recommend trying to do so.

As fights are occurring and blood is being drawn, then yes bonds are broken And they will need to be separated permanently. You will need to work out if any pairs are salvageable and see if any piggies can remain living together as a pair. Unfortunately, the aftermath of an attempted quartet can mean all bonds break. The best outcome will be being able to make two pairs but any combination between ending up one pair and two single piggies or all bonds being broke and four ending up single is a possibility
The other piggies who cannot get on will need to be kept separate but in adjoining cages for interaction through the bars. I am afraid even a trio of boars is unlikely to work out so separating just one off and leaving the other three together is highly unlikely to be a viable long term option.
Should you try to keep a trio, then their space will need to be increased to around 32 square feet to stand any chance of having enough space to work (although character compatibility is the most important factor and sadly it is very difficult to get that in anything more than a pair, so a trio is still likely to fail).

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

 

[mollymuk]

THANK YOU! THIS IS SO MUCH GOOD INFO THANK YOU. I'll work on this immediately
sorry if this sounds dismissive I'm just very upset about what I've done. I just want them to be happy!

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum.
I have edited the thread title for you as requested.

You have had some excellent advice from Piggies&Buns above and it is clear you were only trying to do the best for your boys.
But as you have already discovered 4 boys is unlikely to work out and the space on offer is far too small.
But you can still end up with 2 bonded pairs which will be the best solution for all of the boys (and you).
good luck - all 4 boys are lucky to have such a kind and committed owner.

 

[mollymuk]

Thank you, both of you so so so so much
I've just put together two different habitats for them so I'm really really really hoping that two pairs can get along now
thank you again! big seriously

 

[weepweeps]

I did the exact same thing years ago. Got two boys and then a couple of months later saw two more boys for rehoming. The pet shop told me they love to live in big groups so I put them in with my original two! Mayhem. Ended up with all four separate . I hope your two sets of piggies get along from now on.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you, both of you so so so so much
I've just put together two different habitats for them so I'm really really really hoping that two pairs can get along now
thank you again! big seriously

Thats good. Ensure each side measures the recommended 12 sq ft (or larger if you have the room!) for each pair. I hope you can make two pairs again and they can live happily! Let us know how things go.