Introducing males to each other

[Hamishtheguinea]

Good evening all.
Hoping for a bit of advice with a good outcome hopefully.
I have a male guinea pig which ive had for over a year and lives indoors in a 6ft x 2.5ft open plan set up.
Anyway for last few months people kept saying oh * really should get another one they like to be in pairs! Hamish has been happy on his own and gets out everyday and interacts with us. Now i felt slightly pressured to get another one and a friend of mine has a 6month old wee boy and could no longer look after him due to her wee girl having asthma. Anyway long story short i have tried to introduce them together in neutral ground and oh dear all they want to do is "hump" each other! They both give of a mixture of sounds. One minute angry next curious etc etc.
Will they get on? I think i should have left Hamish on his own as he has been since a baby. I really dont want to have to rehome the other wee boy but its scary when they are let out together.
Any tips would be appreciated!
I will persevere if not i will sadly have to rehome the new boy.
Thanks a million

 

[Little Piggles]

Although I have no expereince of bonding two boys, I understand your worry and hate piggie introductions.

Listen out for lots of teeth chattering. This is the first sign of aggression. If it is loud and constant get ready to split them up.

When Pippa first met Boris there was LOTS of chattering and he lost quite a few chunks of hair to her but we sat it out (just about!) and he finally figured out she was in charge and they now get along really well.

In my experience, meeting new piggies is usually very noisy but as long as they don't fly at each other, hopefully Hamish and the new fella can work it out

Good luck x

 

[nutmeg]

Humping is fine and normal. What you must do is introduce them in the completely neutral territory, and leave them there for an hour or so, by this time if they have not fought, they should be fine. What you must not do is keep putting them together and then separating, then putting together etc. Do it once, if it works great, if it doesn't, you will soon know about it.
If it is working, you need to completely clean and rearrange Hamish's house, so it no longer looks like his, or smells like his, so he won't be all territorial over it. Then put new pig in first, then immediately after put Hamish in. Again, observe for an hour or so, and you will know if it works. xx

 

[Hamishtheguinea]

Deffo not getting on

Hi there
Thanks for your tips and help.
Well ive worked my butt of with trying to get them to get on but sadly its not happening and a little blood was drawn!
Hamish is deffo happier on his own and having us humans as his buddies!
I will sadly have to rehome Tavish :0, though i really hoped he wouldnt have to go on the move yet again, so this wee man is looking for a FOREVER home.
I would like to offer the wee man to anyone on here first. I am in the Edinburgh area but would be willing to travel a wee bit to know he is going to a good home!
If not does anyone know of any rescue centres he could go to?
He was vet checked on Wednesday and had his claws trimmed and I'm told hes in good health and roughly 8 months old.
Hope someone here can help.
Thanks a million

A sad guinea mummy

 

[Niki]

Hi there
Thanks for your tips and help.
Well ive worked my butt of with trying to get them to get on but sadly its not happening and a little blood was drawn!
Hamish is deffo happier on his own and having us humans as his buddies!
I will sadly have to rehome Tavish :0, though i really hoped he wouldnt have to go on the move yet again, so this wee man is looking for a FOREVER home.
I would like to offer the wee man to anyone on here first. I am in the Edinburgh area but would be willing to travel a wee bit to know he is going to a good home!
If not does anyone know of any rescue centres he could go to?
He was vet checked on Wednesday and had his claws trimmed and I'm told hes in good health and roughly 8 months old.
Hope someone here can help.
Thanks a million

A sad guinea mummy

Sorry your boys didn't work out. Sometimes no matter what you try some pigs do not want another pig's company.
You'd be best to post about Tavish on the Rescue & Rehoming Board as more people will see him there.