Re-introducing Mums

[3furbabies]

I have 2 mums who had babies 8 days apart. The older litter needs to be separated male from female as from tomorrow. Ideally i need the 2 mums back together with all the girls and the older 2 boys in their own cage and the younger boys can join them a bit later. I have 2 friends who are taking 2 boys each when they are old enougj to leave.
Can i reintroduce in the bath tub? What is to be expected behaviour wise if its going badly and if its going well?

 

[Wiebke]

I have 2 mums who had babies 8 days apart. The older litter needs to be separated male from female as from tomorrow. Ideally i need the 2 mums back together with all the girls and the older 2 boys in their own cage and the younger boys can join them a bit later. I have 2 friends who are taking 2 boys each when they are old enougj to leave.
Can i reintroduce in the bath tub? What is to be expected behaviour wise if its going badly and if its going well?

You can re-introduce them all in the bathtub (with a large towel for grip). Please be aware that it may need more than one session and sometimes they won't go back together if neither of them wants to relinquish the top spot they hold as the leader of their own little family group. Re-introducing post-lactating mums is about the most difficult time for sow-intros and it may take a few days and a few weeks with lots of dominance behaviour to settle down. A bonding fails if you see highly aggressive behaviour and if the girls get into a real scuffle with flying tackles etc.

Here are our introduction guides:
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs (dos and don'ts)
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics (explaining what is going on and what to look out for)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs (the full graded list of behaviours)
Sow behaviour (useful for the dominance period and general sow group life)

Best of luck!

 

[3furbabies]

Thanks. Things seem to be going ok so far. I read the stickies and decided no time like the present! There was teeth chattering and rumbling and the occasional mounting which was seen off by a few nips (no blood) one girl kept putting her nose/head under the other girls chin. Then there was a whole lot of grooming and shaking (like a wet dog) ans both did lie down but not at the same time. Back legs splayed out. Is this a sign of it going well? Would it be wise to separate or try to put them in same cage? Would the babies get hurt if all in the same cage?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks. Things seem to be going ok so far. I read the stickies and decided no time like the present! There was teeth chattering and rumbling and the occasional mounting which was seen off by a few nips (no blood) one girl kept putting her nose/head under the other girls chin. Then there was a whole lot of grooming and shaking (like a wet dog) ans both did lie down but not at the same time. Back legs splayed out. Is this a sign of it going well? Would it be wise to separate or try to put them in same cage? Would the babies get hurt if all in the same cage?

Yes, this sounds like it is going well; your girls are showing the behaviours that are in the mild to medium range and normal for a bonding. (see the illustrated behaviours threads where you will find much of what you are seeing explained).