Is my guinea pig playing or bullying?

[Starburst]

Hi, I have 3 guinea pigs. 1 is 2 years old, the other is 24 weeks and the new one I got is 12 weeks. The 2 year old and 24 week old ones have shared a 3 x 5 cage for months and are fine. I introduced the 12 week one by building a small c&c cage inside the 3 x 5 for a week and they all popcorned and squeaked. The 12 week one managed to escape through the square on the grid (I was surprised) and I panicked. However everything went smoothly and lots of bum sniffs ect. The 2 year old has been very calm and nice to her and allows her to share hay ect but the 24 week one has been chasing the baby everywhere. There is no biting, teeth chattering or jumping on her. Just chasing or it looks like the baby is running away. Is the 24 week old one playing or bullying? They are all girls as well
Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

It sounds like normal interactions for newly introduced piggies (albeit not planned introductions!). Be aware that the establishing of a relationship and hierarchy takes a couple of weeks so you will see this type of behaviour for a while. Just keep an eye that the youngster is being allowed to eat and is being allowed into hidey houses etc. Weighing her regularly will mean you can ensure she is eating enough and gaining weight.

Do be aware that guinea pigs under six months can fit through c&c grids! You will need to secure all grids otherwise she will find her way out of the main cage as well (assuming it is all made from c&c grids).

I’ll add in some links below for what to look out for when introducing piggies.

Please do double check that the youngster is a girl. Missexing is very common.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[Starburst]

@Piggies&buns thanks for the quick reply. I have correx around the 3 x 5 cage so shouldnt escape hopefully lol she has been eating hay and pellets all day fine but when the 24 week old one comes near her she runs away. Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

Sadly many people are not aware that an introduction is not over in just a few hours. In fact, it takes on average two weeks to settle down the new hierarchy; the dominance is moving down the ladder from the top. The worst of it always comes from the piggy just ranked above in the hierarchy as they are making sure that the new arrival cannot move past them.
During this time you usually see quite a bit dominance behaviour. With sows, this is usually stronger when one of them is coming into in season.

The behaviour is well within normal parameters for this stage.

Please take the time to read the guide links that @Piggies&buns has added. They are very interesting and helpful in understanding not just illustrated interactive behaviours but also the dynamics in play.

Here is our illustrated sexing guide, which teaches you how you can sex guinea pigs reliably on your by looking in the right place (which is NOT the outside arrangement that fools so many people): Illustrated Sexing Guide

 

[Starburst]

@Wiebke thanks for the info. I will keep a close eye for anything that may get worse between them

 

[Merab]

When I bonded 2 pairs of sows I had an exciting and slightly stressful couple of weeks as the 2 middle girls sorted out their place. There was nipping and fur pulling but forum reassurance plus the bonding guides helped me.
Once they’d resolved their place the 2 girls became best friends and still are.

Welcome to the forum and we would love to see pictures