Please Help! Introducing Turned Into Fight With Blood!

[Gp2014]

Hello!

I have owned three sows for two years and adopted a lone male Guinea pig from a rescue a few months ago. I got him neutered and he lived side by side with the sows for 6 weeks. I finally introduced him (on neutral terroritory) to the sows and apart from the odd rumble they all got on well. They all have lived together happily for a week in a 9x2 c and c cage, even sleeping side by side.

But today the dominant sow (Oreo) and the boar (Alvin) for no reason started to fight and blood was drawn. Oreo ended up with a nip on her lip. I have separated them for now.
Is it safe to introduce them again and how long do I wait? I don't want Alvin to be alone. Please help! Thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello!

I have owned three sows for two years and adopted a lone male Guinea pig from a rescue a few months ago. I got him neutered and he lived side by side with the sows for 6 weeks. I finally introduced him (on neutral terroritory) to the sows and apart from the odd rumble they all got on well. They all have lived together happily for a week in a 9x2 c and c cage, even sleeping side by side.

But today the dominant sow (Oreo) and the boar (Alvin) for no reason started to fight and blood was drawn. Oreo ended up with a nip on her lip. I have separated them for now.
Is it safe to introduce them again and how long do I wait? I don't want Alvin to be alone. Please help! Thanks.

If it is just scratch or a glancing wound, then you can consider trying a re-introduction on neutral ground and see how that is going, as that is usually just a misjudged/accidental blow in the heat of the moment and perceived as that.

However, there is a risk that your girl has decided that Alvin is not "us" for some reason (probably a dominance dispute) and then there is nothing you can do. It is the sows who choose the boar they want to live with and which sows belong to the group they are leading.
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics

 

[VickiA]

I agree with @Wiebke. If you were there and saw it all were they quarrelling over something in particular or was it a full blown fight? Was it possibly a bit of an accident? Is there something that causes tension in their cage that you could rearrange?

I remember introducing Mr Ted and Mrs Fudge a couple of years ago. They got on fine side by side, were slightly tense but accepted each other on neutral territory and then moved in together. All was fine until one day when I happened to witness an event. By then I had removed the hideys with 2 exits (as they were getting on so well). A vehicle backfired outside the house, Mr T flew from one end of the c and c to the other and straight into a house with Mrs F (who was asleep at the time), they had a right tussle, and she came out with puncture wound on her snout. Blood was drawn and they were both furious. I separated them overnight but was concerned that they were so cross with each other. I then reintroduced again on neutral ground and they went on to live happily together again after she forgave him for his rude behaviour.

If you know there is a house or similar that is causing tension perhaps you could remove it?

 

[Gp2014]

Thank you for your advice! I saw the whole event and they weren't fighting over anything in particular but they could have been scared by something. Also my dominant sow is VERY bossy and she may not accept alvin.
I am going to re-introduce them on neutral ground and fingers crossed it goes well

Do you think if it doesn't go well it's worth getting another female "friend" for alvin or is it possibLe for him to live side by side with the girls and have a happy life?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your advice! I saw the whole event and they weren't fighting over anything in particular but they could have been scared by something. Also my dominant sow is VERY bossy and she may not accept alvin.
I am going to re-introduce them on neutral ground and fingers crossed it goes well

Do you think if it doesn't go well it's worth getting another female "friend" for alvin or is it possibLe for him to live side by side with the girls and have a happy life?

If it really doesn't work, please see whether you can date Alvin with a sow at a good rescue so you come home only with a lady of his choice and a much happier bond.

If you please added your country, state/province or UK county, we may be able to give you recommendations. We have got members from all over the world, so it helps us in many respects if we can tailor any advice to what is relevant for you and your location straight away. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

 

[VickiA]

I'd agree with Wiebke that if the re-introduction doesn't work then it would be best to find Alvin a wife of his own as otherwise he will be lonely and frustrated.