My guinea pig baby sows are very territorial over hideys!

[h.h.lovecraft]

I recently adopted two six week old guinea pig sows. They are sisters. This is my third full day of having them and I've already noticed some fighting, particularly over their hideys. I have one corner curtain hidey and one large bridge tunnel (the stick one, I'm sure you know what I am referring to.) There is more than enough space for both of them in each. I used to have a blanket over the cage for more hiding space, but they both started climbing up the side of the c & c cage (seriously, like little hamsters) to get to it so I took it down. They don't really cuddle and seem to like their own space, which is fine, until one of them wants to go into the hidey the other one is currently sitting in. They never bite or get too rough, but you can tell how they are forcing the other piggy out aggressively with squeaking and some lunging and what not. One is definitely more aggressive than the other and most times she is the one starting the fight. She will even come in and kick the other piggy out of the hidey sometimes. I know they are in a new cage and are establishing dominance and I've read the threads about dominance on here, but I am worried about this behavior since it seems connected to the hideys. The two hideys I have are pretty big and contain multiple openings, so I'm not really sure what to do or how to fix this. I hope this isn't a bad sign for future failed bonding when it's only been a few days and they are already fighting and generally just seem to tolerate each other. I also feel bad that one seems to get bullied in or out of hideys a lot

 

[Wiebke]

I recently adopted two six week old guinea pig sows. They are sisters. This is my third full day of having them and I've already noticed some fighting, particularly over their hideys. I have one corner curtain hidey and one large bridge tunnel (the stick one, I'm sure you know what I am referring to.) There is more than enough space for both of them in each. I used to have a blanket over the cage for more hiding space, but they both started climbing up the side of the c & c cage (seriously, like little hamsters) to get to it so I took it down. They don't really cuddle and seem to like their own space, which is fine, until one of them wants to go into the hidey the other one is currently sitting in. They never bite or get too rough, but you can tell how they are forcing the other piggy out aggressively with squeaking and some lunging and what not. One is definitely more aggressive than the other and most times she is the one starting the fight. She will even come in and kick the other piggy out of the hidey sometimes. I know they are in a new cage and are establishing dominance and I've read the threads about dominance on here, but I am worried about this behavior since it seems connected to the hideys. The two hideys I have are pretty big and contain multiple openings, so I'm not really sure what to do or how to fix this. I hope this isn't a bad sign for future failed bonding when it's only been a few days and they are already fighting and generally just seem to tolerate each other. I also feel bad that one seems to get bullied in or out of hideys a lot

Hi!

Nothing like squabbling siblings! Keep in mind that it takes around 2 weeks to establish a working group in any new territory, during which time you are bound to see quite a bit of dominance behaviour as the piggies have to work out and establish a group; that is the reason why we call the post-intro or post new-territory group establishment phase the dominance phase. If leadership is very contended, there is a lot more of this.

Please sprinkle feed all over the cage and ideally get 3 log tunnels which you can put up side by side in the middle of the cage. That did the trick for my Meleri who had an issue with possessiveness. That is all the same and too much that one piggy can control them all.
Make sure that you have hay in two places so access cannot be blocked; the same goes for water bottles.

Here is a little video of Meleri's group's row of identical hides, which put an end to the incessant squabbling, especially between her and her sister Miaren, who had a very competitive relationship:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1953666961330819

You can find more information on this in the relevant last chapter of our bonding guide: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Our sow guide also deals with typical sow dominance behaviours: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Both very helpful guides are part of our much more comprehensive information resource, which we have compiled for our new owners to bookmark, browse, read and re-read at need: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[h.h.lovecraft]

Hi!

Nothing like squabbling siblings! Keep in mind that it takes around 2 weeks to establish a working group in any new territory, during which time you are bound to see quite a bit of dominance behaviour as the piggies have to work out and establish a group; that is the reason why we call the post-intro or post new-territory group establishment phase the dominance phase. If leadership is very contended, there is a lot more of this.

Please sprinkle feed all over the cage and ideally get 3 log tunnels which you can put up side by side in the middle of the cage. That did the trick for my Meleri who had an issue with possessiveness. That is all the same and too much that one piggy can control them all.
Make sure that you have hay in two places so access cannot be blocked; the same goes for water bottles.

Here is a little video of Meleri's group's row of identical hides, which put an end to the incessant squabbling, especially between her and her sister Miaren, who had a very competitive relationship:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1953666961330819

You can find more information on this in the relevant last chapter of our bonding guide: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Our sow guide also deals with typical sow dominance behaviours: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Both very helpful guides are part of our much more comprehensive information resource, which we have compiled for our new owners to bookmark, browse, read and re-read at need: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thanks so much for your suggestion! Your posts have helped me multiple times now and I appreciate it a lot! I was already thinking of doing something like what you suggested as well. I already have two of everything else (hay piles, food bowls, and water bottles,) but I noticed they also started fighting over the food bowls and water bottles if they both try to go for the same one at the same time. It's definitely a big point of tension for them. It's kind of annoying because they have two of everything yet they are starting fights with each other by choosing the same one! They are still very young and small so catching them and trying to direct them to the other bowl or bottle is stressful for everyone. I think I am essentially going to split the cage down the middle and do a mirror image of what's on the other side. Hopefully they both can figure out which side they want and not cause unnecessary fights! I am also thinking of just scatter feeding in general with no bowls ever if they can't stop fighting over the bowl, which should help with that.

 

[Wiebke]

All the best!

 

[Black piggies]

My piggies like enclosed spaces, so they'd fight over one enclosed hidey, if the other choice was a stick bridge. Hope they stop causing you worry soon

 

[weepweeps]

I hope they settle down soon.