Introducing New Sow To Existing Sow

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aimzer

aimzer

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I adopted a 3 year old GP today to give my almost 4 year old a friend. They have been on the living room floor with hay and hideys and for the first hour getting on fine.

However, now my original piggy seems to be teeth chattering to my new piggy is this ok?
 
Give them time to get used to each other. If necessary, separate overnight and take it slowly. Older sows can struggle to get used to new company. The softly, softly approach works often better with them in my experience. If possible, let them spend time next to each other when separated so they get used to the new presence. It also depends on which of the two will come out on top of the hierarchy and whether your girls were the submissive or dominant part of their previous pairings.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-re-introducing-guinea-pigs.38562/
 
They are both teeth chattering to each other but only really when they are in the same hidey! Ahh, I don't like this :(
 
Can I get some advice please.
After separating overnight I have both both pigs out on the floor in a pen. They were sharing the pile of veg. But then they started really teeth chattering and had a little scuffle. I have put 1 pig back in the cage and have left one out. Should I try again in a while?
 
Teeth chattering and shuffling is ok, yawning, nipping and fighting is what you need to watch out for. They are just trying to establish who is boss big. Give them plenty of space and lots of time. One of them has to be boss. When it is just chattering and shuffling it can be very interesting to watch them, and their interactions. Just be prepared, split them over night if not sure, and have means to intervene if they start fighting. Oven gloves on your hand and a towel to throw over them, to split them. you don't want to be bitten by fighting piggies. But chances are you would know to split them before it got to fisty cuffs.
 
Treacle said:
Teeth chattering and shuffling is ok, yawning, nipping and fighting is what you need to watch out for. They are just trying to establish who is boss big. Give them plenty of space and lots of time. One of them has to be boss. When it is just chattering and shuffling it can be very interesting to watch them, and their interactions. Just be prepared, split them over night if not sure, and have means to intervene if they start fighting. Oven gloves on your hand and a towel to throw over them, to split them. you don't want to be bitten by fighting piggies. But chances are you would know to split them before it got to fisty cuffs.
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Thanks. They did have a little scuffle before I separated them. I put them back together about an hour ago. Still some chattering but not fighting. Daisy seems to chatter more at Maple when Maple is in one of the hideys. They are currently chilling in different hideys. I haven't put them in the cage together yet though!
 
With my two, Treacle makes the most noise, fudge just stands his ground. It is funny to watch them, but, if it starts to get nasty, I have a way of splitting the cage, and have spare cage.

I kept girls in a 12 x 6 ft run outside, it had a solid roof and you could stand up in it. I had up to 10 in there, new ones just got 'thrown' in, not literally, but there was so much room, and so many hides they sorted them selves out. We never had any problems with fighting. I kept at least 10, replacing with ones for youngsters for 25 years, most lived to be 7 years old, they were out in all weathers, but well protected and well fed.

The run is now leaking and needs demolishing, the last girl In There died in March. I have set up again, 2 boys inside. I am getting older, and dark cold nights checking piggies are in the past.
 
Oh wow, 10 piggies all together. I would be a nervous wreck haha. Can't help but get myself worked up. I'm bad enough with 2 haha.

They seem to be getting on a BIT better. Still a bit of teeth chattering but doesn't last as long. I am just leaving them to it.
 
I would say and I could be totally wrong lol. But I would just leave them, UNLESS, they start raising up on hind legs and or lunging, even then I would try to hang on as long as possible unless they go into a large ball of fur ( can't tell which is which) or someone draws blood.

You might have two more equal pigs (dominate) and it will take them more time to sort it out. The squealing is most likely submission. (Which is good).

I know how you feel I introduced and third pig to my two, but they were all on the younger side. I was a ball of nerves.

I would stop separating them and make sure there is a big pile of hay at all times. Did you clean all the original items? Hides, beds, cage ect? So it all smells new? Before you put the new pig in?

Good luck.
 
KittyandNancy said:
I would say and I could be totally wrong lol. But I would just leave them, UNLESS, they start raising up on hind legs and or lunging, even then I would try to hang on as long as possible unless they go into a large ball of fur ( can't tell which is which) or someone draws blood.

You might have two more equal pigs (dominate) and it will take them more time to sort it out. The squealing is most likely submission. (Which is good).

I know how you feel I introduced and third pig to my two, but they were all on the younger side. I was a ball of nerves.

I would stop separating them and make sure there is a big pile of hay at all times. Did you clean all the original items? Hides, beds, cage ect? So it all smells new? Before you put the new pig in?

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help.

Everything in the play area was new. even the cardboard boxes. They had another bit of a scrap when my dad was watching them. At first i thoight Maple was pulling back but now it's Daisy that backs down first. They are ok lying in their own hideys but when they both come out for hay/nuggets they get in each other's faces! Maple has kind of lunged at Daisy too but not actually grabbed her.

I am taking them both to the rescue tomorrow to get the lady there to bond them for me. I can't cope!
 
Maybe @Wiebke can give some more help. The back legs don't sound good, but no blood right?

Maybe the rescue could find a better friend for her?
 
KittyandNancy said:
Maybe @Wiebke can give some more help. The back legs don't sound good, but no blood right?

Maybe the rescue could find a better friend for her?
Click to expand...

No blood was shed. I know people say don't separate til blood shed but I would not have been able to sleep knowing they are in the cage together after that. The rescue only have 1 other female. If the lady can't get it working with this piggy she is going to try the other female. I wasn't expecting to have all this trouble. They are obviously both very dominant!
 
I too was scared to do the bonding myself so Vicky from RSPCA Walsall did it for me!

Good luck and hope they accept each other very soon!
 
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