My Piggy Wont Stop Chirping!

[4littlewheekers]

So recently especially last night my youngest male won't stop chirping. I'm not sure what to do.

I was extremely excited to hear a chirp for the first time but, i'm slowly getting worried as he just wont stop. Any ideas why?

I would also like to note he is a rescue.

edit- its not a one of thing, he is constantly chirping.

 

[4littlewheekers]

Also wanted to note all the pigs are in separate cages once the female has be de-sexed i'm going to slowly introduce them.

 

[Wiebke]

Also wanted to note all the pigs are in separate cages once the female has be de-sexed i'm going to slowly introduce them.

Hi! How many piggies have you actually got and what gender/age are they?

Chirping is a more complex issue and not well understood. It does however have a strong situational component, so without knowing more, it is impossible for us to work out ways on how to proceed best.
Chirping

 

[Siikibam]

It’s not known why piggies chirp. Mine have done it several times now. The first I don’t know who it was, I was just scared that a bird was trapped inside the house! Second time it was Fudge and he continued as we stood there! Third time I was away but my husband recorded Toffee chirping

Also, is your female being spayed for health reasons? If not, it’s better to neuter your boy. I think spays are more risky.

 

[DMS260820]

It’s not known why piggies chirp. Mine have done it several times now. The first I don’t know who it was, I was just scared that a bird was trapped inside the house! Second time it was Fudge and he continued as we stood there! Third time I was away but my husband recorded Toffee chirping

Also, is your female being spayed for health reasons? If not, it’s better to neuter your boy. I think spays are more risky.

I agree on the operation option. Get the boar done unless they are old and your sow is still pretty young

 

[Caris]

I would definitely say that it's better to neuter the boar. It's a much less invasive operation. You just need to wait around six weeks post-op until you can introduce them.

And I also agree that it's not really understood why guinea pigs chirp, and it's hard to even begin to guess without knowing the circumstances surrounding it, whether you mean chirping is the only things that he does, or he'll do it for a certain time period every day. One of my males, Arthur, chirped the second day I had him, which was very alarming, and hasn't chirped since. It was out of the blue while he was eating. He paused,seemed surprised with himself, and then went straight back to eating as if nothing had happened. But one of my females, Ava, frequently chirps, and will do so for quite some time. She's, personality wise, quite forward, always at the cage bars,always interested in what I'm doing, and she seems to do it either when she's very excited or exploring, or something new has been introduced to the cage. Sometimes she chirps as she walks around, but usually it ends up with her popcorning everywhere after her chirping session. So, for her, I think there's a definite relation to excitement, but it's really hard to guess why your boy is without knowing a few more details.

Is there a common factor when he's chirping?

 

[4littlewheekers]

Hi! How many piggies have you actually got and what gender/age are they?

Chirping is a more complex issue and not well understood. It does however have a strong situational component, so without knowing more, it is impossible for us to work out ways on how to proceed best.
Chirping

I have 3 Males and a female I should be getting the chop quite soon. The one chirping is around a year old. Their rescues so I'm not sure if the females age I think she is around 2-3, then I have my oldest boar 2-3 and a boat that's abit more than 1

 

[4littlewheekers]

It’s not known why piggies chirp. Mine have done it several times now. The first I don’t know who it was, I was just scared that a bird was trapped inside the house! Second time it was Fudge and he continued as we stood there! Third time I was away but my husband recorded Toffee chirping

Also, is your female being spayed for health reasons? If not, it’s better to neuter your boy. I think spays are more risky.

All of them should get the chop hopefully soon. The things is h chriping hasn't been a one of thing the only sound he makes is a chirp.

 

[4littlewheekers]

I would definitely say that it's better to neuter the boar. It's a much less invasive operation. You just need to wait around six weeks post-op until you can introduce them.

And I also agree that it's not really understood why guinea pigs chirp, and it's hard to even begin to guess without knowing the circumstances surrounding it, whether you mean chirping is the only things that he does, or he'll do it for a certain time period every day. One of my males, Arthur, chirped the second day I had him, which was very alarming, and hasn't chirped since. It was out of the blue while he was eating. He paused,seemed surprised with himself, and then went straight back to eating as if nothing had happened. But one of my females, Ava, frequently chirps, and will do so for quite some time. She's, personality wise, quite forward, always at the cage bars,always interested in what I'm doing, and she seems to do it either when she's very excited or exploring, or something new has been introduced to the cage. Sometimes she chirps as she walks around, but usually it ends up with her popcorning everywhere after her chirping session. So, for her, I think there's a definite relation to excitement, but it's really hard to guess why your boy is without knowing a few more details.

Is there a common factor when he's chirping?

No not really I've had him in the same set up (although I put a few different toys in every now and then) he started doing it around 9 o'clock at night and just has random outbursts.

 

[4littlewheekers]

I agree on the operation option. Get the boar done unless they are old and your sow is still pretty young

Yeh they should be getting the chop soon

 

[alpacasqueak]

Are you planning on putting all 4 piggies together in one group? As you said about introducing them all?

 

[DMS260820]

Yeh they should be getting the chop soon

Why are you getting them all done? You do realise that it doesnt change anything but the ability to breed right?

 

[Siikibam]

Yeh they should be getting the chop soon

If the boys are getting the chop then the girl doesn’t need spaying, unless for medical reasons.

Are you planning on putting all 4 piggies together in one group? As you said about introducing them all?

Please assure us you’re not going to put all three together. Trio boars rarely work. And even worse is having more than one male in with sows - they will fight over the girl. And neutering then won’t change their behaviour, it only stops them impregnating

If you’re planning to have a boar pair and one of the boars paired with the sow then that’s fine. In that case you’d only have to neuter the one boy. Just make sure the boy pair is kept out of smelling distance of the girl - it could cause a fight/fallout between them.

We like pics

 

[Wiebke]

I have 3 Males and a female I should be getting the chop quite soon. The one chirping is around a year old. Their rescues so I'm not sure if the females age I think she is around 2-3, then I have my oldest boar 2-3 and a boat that's abit more than 1

Please be aware that you cannot keep all your piggies in one group - that is a outright recipe for disaster. Whether spayed or not, your sow is still a sow and is perceived as such; neutering also doesn't change social behaviour and personality one bit. Even neutered boars can fight and fall out just the same. I have got the t-shirts!
Never mind that boar trios are one of the most instable boar combinations with fail rate well above 50% and climbing the more teenagers are involved (of which you have currently two), adding a sow into the mix is guaranteed to upset the apple cart without even trying!

I have had several spayed sows in years past; and I can tell you from my own experience that boars react to them just the same as to other sows! The only difference is that spayed sows don't come into season. The other female pheromones are however still produced and are still there to upset boars; even more so any teenage boars and young adults.

Consider which two of your boys are more likely to get on and try to bond them first. If that doesn't work try to bond your third boar with one of the others to form a stable boar pair.
Then see whether you can bond your remaining boar with your sow with one party de-sexed, so you have hopefully two stable couples. But you have to brace yourself that you can equally just end up with one bonded pair or all singles.

Sows past ideal pup-bearing age and especially single sows can be much trickier to bond as they often prefer to come out on top and are no longer keen on sharing. They can also be much more fear-aggressive when meeting new piggies than boars. And from my own experiences with spayed sows, spaying doesn't change their personality, behaviour and outlook one bit!

Place the cage of your upset chirper either next to or between your two other boars for company or next to your sow's, unless he is still on quarantine. Companionship and interaction through the bars is the best way to calm him down.

Please take the time to read these links very carefully. You can save yourself having to deal with the fall-out from a proper mess that way!
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts

 

[4littlewheekers]

Are you planning on putting all 4 piggies together in one group? As you said about introducing them all?

Sadly no i'm planning on re-homing some of the rescues. After i get the all clear on their health of course.

 

[4littlewheekers]

Please be aware that you cannot keep all your piggies in one group - that is a outright recipe for disaster. Whether spayed or not, your sow is still a sow and is perceived as such; neutering also doesn't change social behaviour and personality one bit. Even neutered boars can fight and fall out just the same. I have got the t-shirts!
Never mind that boar trios are one of the most instable boar combinations with fail rate well above 50% and climbing the more teenagers are involved (of which you have currently two), adding a sow into the mix is guaranteed to upset the apple cart without even trying!

I have had several spayed sows in years past; and I can tell you from my own experience that boars react to them just the same as to other sows! The only difference is that spayed sows don't come into season. The other female pheromones are however still produced and are still there to upset boars; even more so any teenage boars and young adults.

Consider which two of your boys are more likely to get on and try to bond them first. If that doesn't work try to bond your third boar with one of the others to form a stable boar pair.
Then see whether you can bond your remaining boar with your sow with one party de-sexed, so you have hopefully two stable couples. But you have to brace yourself that you can equally just end up with one bonded pair or all singles.

Sows past ideal pup-bearing age and especially single sows can be much trickier to bond as they often prefer to come out on top and are no longer keen on sharing. They can also be much more fear-aggressive when meeting new piggies than boars. And from my own experiences with spayed sows, spaying doesn't change their personality, behaviour and outlook one bit!

Place the cage of your upset chirper either next to or between your two other boars for company or next to your sow's, unless he is still on quarantine. Companionship and interaction through the bars is the best way to calm him down.

Please take the time to read these links very carefully. You can save yourself having to deal with the fall-out from a proper mess that way!
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts

Thankyou! i have decided on re-homing the female rescue when she has the all clear on her health. I know that two of the males can share a cage so once i have found a good home for the female i will be introducing the third.

 

[4littlewheekers]

If the boys are getting the chop then the girl doesn’t need spaying, unless for medical reasons.

Please assure us you’re not going to put all three together. Trio boars rarely work. And even worse is having more than one male in with sows - they will fight over the girl. And neutering then won’t change their behaviour, it only stops them impregnating

If you’re planning to have a boar pair and one of the boars paired with the sow then that’s fine. In that case you’d only have to neuter the one boy. Just make sure the boy pair is kept out of smelling distance of the girl - it could cause a fight/fallout between them.

We like pics

Yeh, i'm re-homing the female, after i have the clear on her health (because she is a rescue). The three boars seem to get along alright when i have them out. I have a c and c cage set up so if worst comes to worst they can always stay separate
Ill upload some pics soon x

 

[4littlewheekers]

Why are you getting them all done? You do realise that it doesnt change anything but the ability to breed right?

Yes, i also want to lower the chances of any cancers. Plus i may be re-homing some of the rescues and i don't want them to be kept at breeding animals.

 

[4littlewheekers]

Also wanted to note all the pigs are in separate cages once the female has be de-sexed i'm going to slowly introduce them.

I'm re-homing the female to a good family once i get a all clear on her health. I'm going to slowly introduce the males they currently seem to get along fine, but it worst comes to worst i have a large c and c cage setup so i can keep them separate if needed.

 

[Wiebke]

Thankyou! i have decided on re-homing the female rescue when she has the all clear on her health. I know that two of the males can share a cage so once i have found a good home for the female i will be introducing the third.

Please be aware that boar trios - as stated in my first post - are one of the most unstable bar combinations, are quartets. You will find that boars work best in pairs.

Please take the time to read our guides. You will find them both informative and helpful. they are based on long term owners experience as well as our forum experiences of over a dozen years.
Fall-outs in boar trios is one of the most common problems we deal with in the behaviour section. We see less quartets, but only because there are less of them, not because they work any better!
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?

 

[Siikibam]

Your boar who’s just over 1 is still in the teenage years. Are any of them paired? Why do you want to risk a huge fallout with all three living separately? Do you have space for minimum cage size x 3 so they can live alongside each other and still interact through the bars if it came to that?

If I were you I wouldn’t risk it. I’d also neuter one and keep him with your female. And if your female is going to a good home I think the spaying is totally unnecessary. Not all girls get cancer when they’re older. I think spaying is mainly done for ovarian cysts.

The alternative is you could see which piggy personalities suit each other and pair up two boar then a boar with the sow. I don't understand why they all need neutering if the girl is going away.

But, you’ll do what you think is best. Also be aware that piggies don’t do ‘play dates’, especially boys. Each time you put them together then separate, they have to restart the bonding and also get stressed. If you really want to try them you have to have some hours spare to keep an eye on them. But getting along for a couple of hours won’t necessarily mean they get on once transferred to their cage. Just be ready in case of a serious fight between any of them.