Should I Give Her Back?

[Amysmom]

On Tues we adopted a ten week old baby from a lady who has a small rescue. We adopted her because we didn't like to see Bonnie (who is almost six) on her own. She's a quiet gentle girl and we thought she would enjoy having a young piggy around her. We were wrong! She is horrible to her and although the teeth chattering has stopped she pecks her away at any opportunity. I know this is what they do (I did have a herd of four and experienced the pecking) but I feel so sorry for this sweet baby. She is a placid Peruvian and cries like a baby when Bonnie has pecked her-it breaks my heart. Bonnie ignores her in general but I feel the baby (can't bear to name her yet) is afraid to come out of her hidey house. I have separated the cage at night and I can see how relieved the baby is when I do. She's suddenly more relaxed and comes out to munch hay. I did this for Bonnie but now I'm wondering whether she's best off on her own for however long she's here for.

 

[sport_billy]

it doesn't sound out like it is working at the moment. Poor little one. Where did you get her from? Would the rescue let you take Bonnie to choose a friend?

 

[Amysmom]

it doesn't sound out like it is working at the moment. Poor little one. Where did you get her from? Would the rescue let you take Bonnie to choose a friend?

It's called Cosley guinea pig rescue. I have told the lady that it's not going that well. I wonder whether Bonnie was enjoying being on her own.

 

[Wiebke]

On Tues we adopted a ten week old baby from a lady who has a small rescue. We adopted her because we didn't like to see Bonnie (who is almost six) on her own. She's a quiet gentle girl and we thought she would enjoy having a young piggy around her. We were wrong! She is horrible to her and although the teeth chattering has stopped she pecks her away at any opportunity. I know this is what they do (I did have a herd of four and experienced the pecking) but I feel so sorry for this sweet baby. She is a placid Peruvian and cries like a baby when Bonnie has pecked her-it breaks my heart. Bonnie ignores her in general but I feel the baby (can't bear to name her yet) is afraid to come out of her hidey house. I have separated the cage at night and I can see how relieved the baby is when I do. She's suddenly more relaxed and comes out to munch hay. I did this for Bonnie but now I'm wondering whether she's best off on her own for however long she's here for.

It is not uncommon for older older to be very dominant against youngsters. The screaming is submission screaming and the nipping is not hurtful. it's just been two days. Please sit it out a few more days.

If at all possible, I really would recommend to use one of our recommended rescues for dating before you bring a piggy home.

 

[Amysmom]

It is not uncommon for older older to be very dominant against youngsters. The screaming is submission screaming and the nipping is not hurtful. it's just been two days. Please sit it out a few more days.

If at all possible, I really would recommend to use one of our recommended rescues for dating before you bring a piggy home.

Yes I will give it longer, how much longer should we give it?
This little rescue was recommended to us by my sons friend who had two healthy guinea pigs from her. She has lovely sheds where they are looked after very well. We chose there because Bonnie is almost six and I don't want to be driving her here and there to find a friend. The form we signed states that we can return the piggy should it not work out.

 

[Wiebke]

Yes I will give it longer, how much longer should we give it?
This little rescue was recommended to us by my sons friend who had two healthy guinea pigs from her. She has lovely sheds where they are looked after very well. We chose there because Bonnie is almost six and I don't want to be driving her here and there to find a friend. The form we signed states that we can return the piggy should it not work out.

Thanks - there are a few rather horrible places around. Give her another 2-3 days to see whether things start calming down. Most members in a similar situation have made it through with a new pair.

 

[Amysmom]

Thanks - there are a few rather horrible places around. Give her another 2-3 days to see whether things start calming down. Most members in a similar situation have made it through with a new pair.

I do remember my first two (sisters) being particularly horrible to each new girl we introduced but it did settle. I guess I just feel a bit sorry for the little mite, she's such a placid little thing and doesnt deserve to be unhappy.

Do you think we should try bathing them together? I have read that it can help them to bond.

 

[Wiebke]

I do remember my first two (sisters) being particularly horrible to each new girl we introduced but it did settle. I guess I just feel a bit sorry for the little mite, she's such a placid little thing and doesnt deserve to be unhappy.

Do you think we should try bathing them together? I have read that it can help them to bond.

To be honest, I wouldn't put the little one through even more upset. Bathing is stressful.

 

[Swissgreys]

We had a similar situation when we introduced baby Oreo (aged 12 weeks) to our little group.
Eddi and Lucy were very gentle with her but Ruby was awful.
She would do exactly what you describe with your pair, and sometimes she would get up and walk over to Oreo just to puff her fur up and chatter at her, then walk away and lay down again.
It was awful to watch, and on more than 1 occasion I was ready to bundle poor little Oreo up and take her straight back to the breeder.
But with the support and advice of this Forum, we did get though it.

I think what really helped was:
-leaving all of them in the cage (no handling, no floor time) until I was sure they were properly bonded.
- removing all hideys, and only having fleece forests and cardboard boxes with both ends cut out
- feeding little and often, and spreading it out everywhere. I added lots of extra things like huge hay piles, fresh grass, pellets scattered around the cage, pea flakes, etc. The cage looked like a bomb had hit it - it was awful, but the constant wandering around for food kept everyone distracted and helped tire them out. Plus I knew for certain that Oreo was getting her fair share.

In all honesty it took 5 days before I felt them settle and probably 2 weeks before I stopped panicking!

You girl is old and just wants to make it clear from the start that she won't be taking any nonsense.
I would give them a bit more time to try and work it out.

 

[Amysmom]

We had a similar situation when we introduced baby Oreo (aged 12 weeks) to our little group.
Eddi and Lucy were very gentle with her but Ruby was awful.
She would do exactly what you describe with your pair, and sometimes she would get up and walk over to Oreo just to puff her fur up and chatter at her, then walk away and lay down again.
It was awful to watch, and on more than 1 occasion I was ready to bundle poor little Oreo up and take her straight back to the breeder.
But with the support and advice of this Forum, we did get though it.

I think what really helped was:
-leaving all of them in the cage (no handling, no floor time) until I was sure they were properly bonded.
- removing all hideys, and only having fleece forests and cardboard boxes with both ends cut out
- feeding little and often, and spreading it out everywhere. I added lots of extra things like huge hay piles, fresh grass, pellets scattered around the cage, pea flakes, etc. The cage looked like a bomb had hit it - it was awful, but the constant wandering around for food kept everyone distracted and helped tire them out. Plus I knew for certain that Oreo was getting her fair share.

In all honesty it took 5 days before I felt them settle and probably 2 weeks before I stopped panicking!

You girl is old and just wants to make it clear from the start that she won't be taking any nonsense.
I would give them a bit more time to try and work it out.

Thank you
I do have 2 hidey houses so I will remove them and take your advice regarding the fleece forest and boxes that they can get out of from either end. Good idea about spreading the food around too, maybe the foraging around will encourage the baby to come out too.

 

[Amysmom]

Touch wood things have been a bit better today. I took @Swissgreys advice and removed the hidey houses. I also put a cardboard box in that was open either end with some hay in and sprinkled food around the floor. The baby looks happier and even had her chicken leg out They also ate hay together in the box. I really hope things continue to improve because we want to keep her so much!

 

[Wiebke]

Touch wood things have been a bit better today. I took @Swissgreys advice and removed the hidey houses. I also put a cardboard box in that was open either end with some hay in and sprinkled food around the floor. The baby looks happier and even had her chicken leg out They also ate hay together in the box. I really hope things continue to improve because we want to keep her so much!

Hang on in there. It is going to get better with every passing day.

 

[flowerfairy]

Aww so glad that she seems more at ease. I do hope that you get to keep her.