Is this normal behavior?

[Dbgenerations]

Ok ill start with a little history so that this makes sense.

My wife & I saw online that someone had dumped off a female guinea pig at our local animal shelter and that they needed her gone ASAP because they didn't have the means to keep her. So we rushed over there and adopted her. We were told they guess she is around a year old. Well we knew that guinea pigs are companion animals so we began to hunt for another one so she wasn't lonely. I've had guinea pigs when I was growing up so I knew that if we get another one that we need to keep them in separate houses until they get used to each other, taking them out each day to bond on neutral territory. Well my wife had a lady write her about a male that's brother had been killed by a dog and she was worried this one would be next so we took him.

Now they are still in separate cages near each other but we take them out every day to try to bond.

Here's what is confusing me. As of now they act like they want to be with each other, they will chirp at each other poke their noses out trying to get to each other. The Male makes his mating sounds, and our female will do the whole, waving her hips back and forth as if she wants to mate. But any time we put them together to try to bond after a while they just nip at each other and teeth chatter. I don't want them to hurt each other, but I am not sure if this behavior is normal at all. They will literally fight to try to get to each other(not aggressively) and seem nice to each other but it seems like it only lasts until they are actually together for a little bit then the male chases her, Trys to mount her, she nips at him, and eventually she gets annoyed and climbs up either my wife or myself wanting us to hold her to get away from the male. Does anyone have an idea on how I can handle this? Or is this normal behavior when they are mating? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I just want them both to be happy but don't want them hurting one another.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Is the male neutered? Please be aware that this is a rescue friendly forum and that talk of intentional breeding is prohibited as stated in our terms and rules. Knowingly putting an intact male with a female is classed as intentional breeding.

Please also be aware that guinea pigs do not do playdates. Once put together they start the bonding process and to keep separating then putting back together is very stressful for them.

 

[Eviolus-]

Don't reintroduce them each day, one long session is much better. If he is neutered (which he should be) then the rumblestrutting could be him triggering her to go into season, I'd recommend trying again in a few days

 

[Siikibam]

sorry to shout but PLEASE do not put them together again. With above in that guinea pigs don’t do slow introductions or play dates. It’s an all or nothing thing.

It also sounds like the boar isn’t neutered. So under no circumstances put him with the female at all. It only takes a second, and trying to separate them can lead to injury.

Make sure that the boar can’t escape from his cage to get to the sow. It needs to be lidded in some way. I would also book them both in for a general check (with a cavy savvy vet) and also book the boar in for neutering. Bear in mind there is a 6 week wait before you can put them together. And when you do, introductions need to be on neutral ground. You have to have the time to observe in case of anything.

 

[Dbgenerations]

What I'm not understanding is they get along fine, until the male trys to mount the female. She gets annoyed and we separate them. But once they are separated they both act depressed and look at each other both acting like they want to be near one another. I'm not sure if the male is neutered as they are both rescues. We have almost no history besides the male who lived with the lady we got him from for a short period. We are calling a vet to see about having the male checked and neutered if needed. Since him trying to mount her is what seems to cause her to get annoyed could neutering him possibly fix the problem? I really don't like the idea of getting rid of either one of them because they will be lonely. Everything I read prior to getting the male said to introduce them each day little bits at a time, keeping them separate most of the time where they can still smell each other and communicate but not get to one another until they can be together for more than an hour without fighting with one another. So I kinda thought this behavior was while maybe not normal, to be expected having 2 rescues. Even right now they are bumping noses and getting along through the divider neither one acting aggressive.

 

[Siikibam]

You cannot out an intact male with a sow - babies can happen. So for now please separate permanently until you know whether he’s been neutered or not.

The mounting and her resulting annoyance is likely his trying it on when she’s not interested/receptive. If she is pregnant (I think quite highly likely) then she definitely doesn’t want that.

They will want to be with each other because they were beforehand and miss each others’ company. But you can’t put them together until you know he’s definitely neutered. Neutering only stops baby making, it doesn’t change their behaviour or attitude.

As for introducing a little each time. The issue is it is stressful for piggies. And each time you separate then re-introduce, they have to sort out the hierarchy again from the beginning. Can you imagine if that were you? Unfortunately you were given the wrong information on that.

It’s fine for them to see each other through the bars. Just make sure the boar can’t get to the sow. Actually having them next to each other fulfils (to some degree) their need for constant companionship and communication. It also aids the bonding when the time comes. And their behaviour when together isn’t aggression.

Have a read through the threads I’ve linked below. They should answer some of your questions on bonding etc.
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Scroll down to MIXED GENDER PAIRS AND GROUPS
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Lady Kelly]

Please be responsible and do not put them together until you know 100% that the male is neutered and past his 6 week waiting period. You should always assume that he isn't neutered unless you have been told otherwise which it most definitely sounds like you haven't

 

[Piggies&buns]

They should not have physical access until he is neutered - neutering will stop pregnancy but it will not make their relationship work if they don’t like each other. Once he is neutered and safe, he will still mount her - it’s just what they do.
Once he is neutered and six weeks post op, when you do the introductions, it has to be done the right way and that is not a little at a time. Being together and then separated, then put back is incredibly stressful and is totally the wrong way to do a bonding. If when he is neutered and safe and you do the proper bonding, there is no guarantee they will get on as if comes down to mutual liking and character compatibility. Either way bonding procedure is not relevant at this point - while he isn’t neutered they must not be put together.