Male bonding

[VanessaC]

Hi
Almost 10 weeks ago my beautiful Duster died leaving behind Amos who is now 13 months. Amos was the submissive one, but he idolised Duster I think. He seems to be coping very very well, he’s eating well, drinking. He does zoomies round his cage, I don’t see him popcorn though.
None of the rescues near me have anyone suitable (and they’re not that near). I have come across one on a pet app and went to meet him about 4 weeks ago, he’s gorgeous, cheeky etc and about 6 months old, my mind keeps changing. I’m so scared I’ve left it too late (I suffer depression and anxiety). I won’t go into his situation but basically he’s been isolated by someone who keeps buying guinea pigs, 2 turned out to be female and have both given birth.. Amos is shy, gentle and so sweet
I want to do the best for Amos. I haven’t really got room for 2 cages. I have a nice 5x2 C&C, I recently bought 12 similar grids and have set this up for if I get this other boy.
How long should I wait between potentially getting this 6 month old boy and trying to bond him with Amos. I have done the bonding process before, I’ve never waited this long though and I’ve always been lucky in the past.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry Duster had the call to the bridge.

I’d say no time like the present. I’d definitely give the bonding a go. That’s the only way you will know if they are compatible. Will they agree to take the new boy back if it doesn’t work out? Good luck

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
Almost 10 weeks ago my beautiful Duster died leaving behind Amos who is now 13 months. Amos was the submissive one, but he idolised Duster I think. He seems to be coping very very well, he’s eating well, drinking. He does zoomies round his cage, I don’t see him popcorn though.
None of the rescues near me have anyone suitable (and they’re not that near). I have come across one on a pet app and went to meet him about 4 weeks ago, he’s gorgeous, cheeky etc and about 6 months old, my mind keeps changing. I’m so scared I’ve left it too late (I suffer depression and anxiety). I won’t go into his situation but basically he’s been isolated by someone who keeps buying guinea pigs, 2 turned out to be female and have both given birth.. Amos is shy, gentle and so sweet
I want to do the best for Amos. I haven’t really got room for 2 cages. I have a nice 5x2 C&C, I recently bought 12 similar grids and have set this up for if I get this other boy.
How long should I wait between potentially getting this 6 month old boy and trying to bond him with Amos. I have done the bonding process before, I’ve never waited this long though and I’ve always been lucky in the past.

Hi

I am ever so sorry for your loss.

I would give the bonding process a go. Here is our step-by-step bonding guide.

Thread 'Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics'

Jan 23, 2019

1 Introduction
2 Pre-bonding
- Quarantine and sexing
- The need for a plan B
- The rule-breaker: Youngsters under 4 months (sub-teenage)
3 Setting up an introduction
- Getting to know each other
- ‘Buddy baths’ – why not
- Scent swapping - why not
- Setting up a neutral bonding area
- How to start the bonding
4 Acceptance phase: Do we like...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Behaviour, Bonds and Species Understanding

• 

Please plan for a next door companionship scheme with a divided cage as your plan B in case things don't work out. We have got lots of 'can't live together but can't live apart boar pairs that enjoy their own territory but also the interaction with their neighboar through the bars. This will hopefully take the pressure of you a bit as well.

Fingers firmly crossed!

 

[VanessaC]

I’m so sorry Duster had the call to the bridge.

I’d say no time like the present. I’d definitely give the bonding a go. That’s the only way you will know if they are compatible. Will they agree to take the new boy back if it doesn’t work out? Good luck

Thank you. Yes, she has said she’ll take him back but she is so inexperienced & doesn’t have a clue regarding guinea pigs. She’s keeps putting him in with some of the boys but then takes him out as she thinks he’s fighting with one of them, I asked what is he doing and she said he’s biting another one’s ears, but by the sounds of what he’s doing he’s just grooming and rumblestrutting etc. I want to take him as id feel like I’m rescuing him in a way as he’s all on his on in a1x2 C&C looking at all the others playing, she has about 12 now as 2 females had litters, she was told they were male. He’s a lovely boy, he really is.

 

[VanessaC]

Hi

I am ever so sorry for your loss.

I would give the bonding process a go. Here is our step-by-step bonding guide.

Thread 'Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics'

Jan 23, 2019

1 Introduction
2 Pre-bonding
- Quarantine and sexing
- The need for a plan B
- The rule-breaker: Youngsters under 4 months (sub-teenage)
3 Setting up an introduction
- Getting to know each other
- ‘Buddy baths’ – why not
- Scent swapping - why not
- Setting up a neutral bonding area
- How to start the bonding
4 Acceptance phase: Do we like...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Behaviour, Bonds and Species Understanding

• 

Please plan for a next door companionship scheme with a divided cage as your plan B in case things don't work out. We have got lots of 'can't live together but can't live apart boar pairs that enjoy their own territory but also the interaction with their neighboar through the bars. This will hopefully take the pressure of you a bit as well.

Fingers firmly crossed!

Yes, I have the playpen all set up and when/if I do get him they will be side by side. I’m just hoping it’ll all go ok as the room isn’t really big enough for 2 big cages.
I’ve done the bonding myself before, 3 times and it all worked out amazing. I had them bonded within 2 days previously with no problems.
I’ve never ever left it as long as this, it will be 10 weeks on Saturday since we lost Duster (he looked like a feather duster when I first got him and he was crazy ).

 

[Wiebke]

All the best!