Introduced For The First Time!

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Almostmad

Almostmad

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Just introduced my two pigs to each other on neutral ground today and was wondering where to go from here? These are all the events that happened;
Betty scurried over to Aggie and appeared to be snuggling into her, or backing her bum into Aggie.
They then both shared a piece of pepper...
Betty then groomed Aggies face and ear, a lot!
They tried sniffing each others back ends but both kept spinning round
Bit of rumbling but mostly Betty squeaking and bubbling.
After a while, they both split and went for a little nap each.
That was it for most of the time then!

So, where do I go from here? I put them back in their individual homes for tonight. I want to buy a new cage and new hides/toys for them to share.
Also want to know if these signs are good!
 
Hi, these are all good signs, lots of people worry when they rumble and purr, but your are exceptionally lucky if you get one where they don't. Personally I wouldn't do to much introducing and separating. As this will only confuse them and each time they meet they will start from scratch and behave like they did when first introduced as they are not given a proper opportunity to bond. They only need removing if you start gettibg negative bahviour such as face to face chattering, lunging and hair pulling. If either of your cages are big enough for the two then I would suggest thoroughly cleaning it while they are mixing and put them back together in one cage in the evening. If you really do have to buy a new cage then make sure you have it in place before you commit to a mix.
When they first go into the cage together don't provide any houses or hides that one can get cornered in, just in case they have a squabble. Bendy sticks, tunnels and cardboard boxes with lots of exit holes will be perfect.
 
Ohh right! I thought you had to introduce them over a period of say, a week and then put them together! The new cage was going to be a double tiered corner one but the seller doesn't deliver to NI :( Bettys cage is bigger, about 4x3ft so they should be okay in that whilst I get them a double cage. I'll introduce them again tonight and clean Bettys cage :) thanks!
 
No problem. Betty's cage should be fine until you sort a larger one out. Mixing is all very personal choice, and in some cases, especially if the guinea's are a little more feisty, it may not hurt to introduce slowly, but if you are getting a generally posative vibe right from the start, I am a firm believer in just letting them get along with it unless the introduction turns nasty. Lots of talking, grooming, and being comfortable enough to share food/eat close to each other are all very friendly interactions so I am hopeful you won't have any issues with them :)
 
Hi! it sounds like your girls are getting on well, so they can stay together. You will see some dominance behaviour as they need to establish a hierarchy in the next few days. Please leave them to sort this out; it is integral to guinea pig life. Please make sure that you have only got at least hideys with two exits and two bowls in the cage, as pushing out the underpiggy is part of the normal dominance display.

here is more information on bonding:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/introducing-and-re-introducing-guinea-pigs.38562/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/
 
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