Newbie here - will my baby sows become friends?

[Cocothomas]

I got three girls a few days ago, they’re around 8 weeks old. They’re in a pretty huge hutch but I’ve only got them in one level at the moment while they’re so tiny so a standard indoor it and outdoor bit. Two look very similar and are noticeably close, the other (cookie) is a totally dif colour and seems a little bigger, although she does cuddle with them also likes her own space and is quite independent. We put a camera in their sleeping bit and watched her chase the other two girls out of the additional fleece house I’ve put in the sleeping quarters. I ended up taking it away in the night as the other two were just sitting outside of it and I didn’t want them getting cold. After that cookie stayed on her own. I'm so worried they aren’t going to get on, or is this standard in establishing a hierarchy? Is it possible they’ll still all be okay together? Any tips? I’ve got a ramp leading down into the other living quarters but worried they’re too small for getting down it right now? Any advice or tips hugely welcome!

 

[Piggies&buns]

They will be in a two week period of establishing hierarchy and relationship. During this time chasing etc is to be expected. The issue with having an odd number of piggies is that two can get closer and one gets left out - not always but sometimes so it’s something to keep an eye on.
Sows are wired to live in groups so they have a good chance of being ok but only if they are character compatible.

However it is important that you have three of every item in the cage (three bottles, three hay piles, three hides) and that all hides have two exits. If any hides are enclosed, then there is the risk of issues occurring inside a hide so this is why it’s important there are always two ways out.

Are they indoors or outdoors?
If outside -
Outdoor piggies won’t be able to use fleece at this time of year as it can get damp, wick moisture from the air and not dry properly thereby exposing them to damp bedding and risk of illness.
Make sure there is loads of hay in the hutch so they can snuggle into it and keep warm. Were they pet shop piggies? Piggies who have only been used to being indoors up until now will find it too cold outside to be outside (particularly now night temperatures are getting to, and on some nights, below their comfort range) as they haven’t had all summer to acclimatise to outdoor conditions and a slow cooling.
I only mention this as you say hutch so the assumption is it’s outside.

As there are three piggies, make sure their hutch is a 6ft hutch.
(Being double storey doesn’t double space as piggies prefer to live on a single level (they aren’t climbing animals and some never like using ramps))

New Owners' Essential Information and Practical Tips Starter Collection

 

[Cocothomas]

Thanks very much for this that’s really helpful, yes fortunately it’s a 6ft one hubby built down the side of our house. I’ll get three of everything in that case and keep my fingers crossed they iron things out. We were only going to get two for each of my daughters but the guy was being really funny about there only being one left and making weird comments so we took her spur of the moment for her safety I suppose. I’m prepared to keep both levels split off and separate them if in a couple of weeks things haven’t improved. Thanks again

 

[Piggies&buns]

Excellent.

Please double check they are all indeed sows. If they haven’t come from a rescue reputable centre, then it is essential you are certain on their sexes yourself, please dont take the word of any private seller, breeder or pet shop - we see too much missexing and accidental pregnancies on here!

What you are seeing is normal so you don’t need to worry about separating them at this point. You only separate if there is a real problem and right now there isn’t one. Even if they were always living together before you got them, they still go into that period of reestablishing their relationship.
(However, if you were to separate them, they couldn’t live one above the others as the single piggy would lose all communication and would get lonely - you would need to get a fourth piggy to bond with the single)

I edited my post above after you had read this so please do see my post again and the comments about them being outside and using fleece - fleece hides cannot be used outside as they will get damp and wont dry properly. They need wooden hides and lots of hay for warmth.
Make sure you are using thermal hutch covers and a thermometer on the hutch so you can be sure it is remaining warm enough in there particularly for young piggies and particularly if they are not used to being outside. Also invest in Snugglesafe heatpads if you haven’t already. Keeping outdoor piggies warm is a lot of work.

Regarding the ramp, they are not too small to get used to it, but it is essential the ramp is not too steep and has sides on it. Piggies aren’t natural climbers and if they feel at all exposed then they won’t use it. Also consider, that in winter keeping just one level of the hutch warm enough can be much easier.
I have a 6ft two storey hutch in a shed for my boys but the ramp is removed and they live on just one level with access out to the shed floor. In winter i move them to the top half of the hutch during the night as it can be better insulated and i can keep that one level warmer with their heatpads.

 

[Cocothomas]

Thank you this is all really helpful, I was looking at fleece but as they’re outside I won’t go for this, I’ve put lots and lots of hay in for them. I’ll look into those heat pads I hadn’t heard of them. I got them from a local farmer, I’ve checked their sex several times and am confident they’re definitely all girls. I hope! Can’t thank you enough for your help

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you this is all really helpful, I was looking at fleece but as they’re outside I won’t go for this, I’ve put lots and lots of hay in for them. I’ll look into those heat pads I hadn’t heard of them. I got them from a local farmer, I’ve checked their sex several times and am confident they’re definitely all girls. I hope! Can’t thank you enough for your help

I'm so glad you’ve checked their sexes! We would not want you to find yourself in a difficult situation!

A good absorbent bedding as a bottom layer, my personal preference is megazorb but there are lots of different one available (shavings, aubiose etc), and then heaps of hay (adding additional as it gets closer to winter), making sure hides are filled with hay and any wet hay is removed and replaced daily. You will get through many kilos of hay a month!

Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

Snugglesafes are essential for outdoor piggies. I have four of them for my two boys. They are heated in the microwave and popped under hides (I leave some hides with pads and some without so they have a choice) . Anytime night time temperatures get between 10 and 15 degrees I start additional measures (locked in again night (my boys free roam the shed otherwise) hutch cover goes down, additional hay). Once it is 10 degrees they get their heatpads and by November, they will be having all four heatpads at night. By January they’ll be having the heatpads during the day and at night. Anything to keep their hutch above 15 degrees (although being in a shed does mean it is much easier for me as their shed keeps them considerably warmer than outdoor temperatures anyway) but I won’t let them get below 10 degrees.

in addition to the new owner guides I linked in above, this one is specific to keeping sows

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. With regards to the ramp when I first got my two boars they stayed in the top half for over two weeks. So in the end I “helped them” use it to show them what to do. First I would put them downstairs and they soon learnt how to go up it. Going down took a bit longer and I would put them half way down to start with. Putting something tasty at the bottom or top is a good trick too. Good luck. I hope they settle soon. Once you are able feel free to post pictures for us to drool over