Separating a guinea pig

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Motomike13

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Hey guys I’m new here but I really need some help. Me and my girlfriend have 5 piggies together, all male for about a year now. Everything was great, they had plenty of space(almost and entire room) more than enough water bottles, hiding spots, feeding spots and everything. Well over the last months the two largest have been fighting a lot but we noticed one in particular is causing all the problems. He won’t let anyone near his pigloo, his feeding spots and he just today bit a chunk out of our oldest’s Ear and made him bleed. We have decided that he can’t be with the others anymore and it’s heartbreaking but we have tried everything. We tried separating and reintroducing and nothing works. I’m going to take him and keep hunched at my house. My questions are will he miss the others? And should I get him another friend or no? I’m scared the same thing may happen again.
 
What are the sex of the piggies please?
 
Sorry we missed your thread I have moved it to behaviour it got overlooked in housing section
@Motomike13

Welcome to the forum
 
Welcome to the forum. How old are your boys? Sounds like he just doesn’t get on with that pig in particular. But then it’s also hard to successfully keep more than two boars together.

Piggies are herd animals so please do get him a friend. If you’re near a rescue, you could take him boar dating and let him choose his own friend. Alternatively you could neuter him and get him a girlfriend after 6 weeks’ wait.

Could you in the meantime keep him in a cage near the other piggies (in the same room)? He can then still interact with them through the bars.
 
I think you've done really well to get this far with 5 boys together. It's rare for more than two to get on together. 3 is unlikely, 4 virtually impossible and 5....well, you've been really lucky. The massive space will have greatly contributed to your success so far, but it's maybe time to re-assess. I would personally try a pair and a trio. Could you pair the one you've separated with one of the more submissive piggies and leave the other three together? If you could split their current space, and follow the advice in the bonding threads (sorry, can't link on this device, but you'll find it under the forums tab). They may be able to live side by side with a barrier. You would see more dominance as they will need to reshuffle their places in the herd, and be prepared for things not to go to plan. Best of luck!
 
Hello and welcome to the forum
Sorry your little fellas are not getting on so well. I would try bonding one of your existing piggies too, one that is near the bottom of the group and less dominant.
If all else fails I would get him neutered and get him a wife like Reenie says. Plenty of reading here’s the link and good luck, let us all know how you get on
Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides
 
Siikibam said:
Welcome to the forum. How old are your boys? Sounds like he just doesn’t get on with that pig in particular. But then it’s also hard to successfully keep more than two boars together.

Piggies are herd animals so please do get him a friend. If you’re near a rescue, you could take him boar dating and let him choose his own friend. Alternatively you could neuter him and get him a girlfriend after 6 weeks’ wait.

Could you in the meantime keep him in a cage near the other piggies (in the same room)? He can then still interact with them through the bars.
Click to expand...
I think that’s what I’m gonna do. They still don’t get al
Reenie said:
I think you've done really well to get this far with 5 boys together. It's rare for more than two to get on together. 3 is unlikely, 4 virtually impossible and 5....well, you've been really lucky. The massive space will have greatly contributed to your success so far, but it's maybe time to re-assess. I would personally try a pair and a trio. Could you pair the one you've separated with one of the more submissive piggies and leave the other three together? If you could split their current space, and follow the advice in the bonding threads (sorry, can't link on this device, but you'll find it under the forums tab). They may be able to live side by side with a barrier. You would see more dominance as they will need to reshuffle their places in the herd, and be prepared for things not to go to plan. Best of luck!
Click to expand...
thankyou for the help. I keep 2 together now and the other 3 together and they seem to be getting along pretty well now. I tried letting the two who fought play in a playpen after a few days but there is still bad blood. I just think they’ll never get along):
 
If they’re getting along as you’ve put them then leave as is. Hopefully they’ll now settle into their new groups.
 
Motomike13 said:
I think that’s what I’m gonna do. They still don’t get al

thankyou for the help. I keep 2 together now and the other 3 together and they seem to be getting along pretty well now. I tried letting the two who fought play in a playpen after a few days but there is still bad blood. I just think they’ll never get along):
Click to expand...
I'm glad they've settled. Once guinea pigs fall out to the extent blood is drawn, they're never going to go back together, so no point giving yourself the heartache of trying to mend their relationship. I hope it all settles now. I've a pair and a trio of boys too - it's a great combo if you can buck the odds and make it work. It would be great to see pics of your lot now the crisis is over.
 
Just remembered this thread. Thankyou everyone for the help. All the piggies are as happy as ever. Our 2 largest love play time together, they just can’t be together all the time. So we have 2 in one large habitat and 3 in the even larger one. All are very happy. I was terrified once the fight broke out but they’re all doing great(: thanks everyone
 
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