Should i leave them together or separate?

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Sodapops

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For the last few weeks ive been trying to bond my mother and daughter pair (Summer and JJ) with my trio (neutered male and 2 girls - Wexford, Tulisa and Charlotte) - things have gone ok and there have been no major fights (just nipping and chasing mainly)

Today i decided to take the plunge and open up the two 140 cages ive got (so they've got about 9ft x 2.5ft of cage space) - i put them altogether in neutral territory and after about 4hrs together i gave them all a bath and put them in their opened up cages (fully cleaned and with new accessories/re-arranged)

They have been together since about 12:30pm dinnertime and went in to their newly re-arranged cage at about 7:30pm.

Is it safe to leave them over-night? At the moment they are pretty much staying out of each other's way - apart from Wexford chasing Summer and her chasing him back. The only pig that does bother me is JJ (she would be the eldest pig) as she is the only one that is still nipping and chasing everyone else. If someone is in the litter tray - she will nip/chase - likewise if they are in one of the houses she wants to be she will chase them out - nipping as she goes :(

The main problem i think is that Charlotte and Tulisa don't stand their ground at all, they just stand still or run away.

Does this sound normal? am i ok to leave them? I know that by me keep separating them i'm not allowing them to 'sort' things out - I'm now at a sort of either do it don't stage and ive made the decision that should i close up the cages i'll not re-open them as i feel it's too much stress for them (and me) each time i do :(
 
Yes, it is perfectly normal. Your piggies have bonded (acceptance happens right at the beginning, usually in the first 20 minutes, or so) and they are already well into the hierarchy sort out with JJ obviously establishing herself firmly at the top. You can leave them for the night; they need time to work through the nitty gritty of how their group is run and where each girl ranks on the hierarchy. But you won't see any worse behaviour. Don;t mistake submission squeaking for pain!

I have listed typical sow behaviour in this thread here, which will hopefully reassure you: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38561
 
Can't really add much to that. It is perfectly normal. Much calmer than when I introduced my latest two pairs by the sounds of it. The only one of my four who didn't try to be boss was baby Francesca.
 
Thank you for the replies/advice Wiebke and piggyme234 :)

I know things look much worse than they actually are and I'm really trying my hardest to 'leave them to it' every time i hear them squeaking i panic and run over to the cage :...

Just to add - ive just witnessed Summer mounting Tulisa - first time ive seen two girls do this - its very odd rolleyes
 
I don't have that much experience with bonding, other than it was a difficult one with Mabel and Finley so I do feel it was a steep learning curve!

Just wondering how they were over night? I remember when I was trying to bond Fin and Mabel that you wanted to try Wexford an his gang with your two girls, well done on taking the plunge! When it doesn't work out the first time it gets quite nerve wracking trying again doesn't it!

Really hope it all works out, sounds like it is going to once they sort out their hierarchy! Sending bonding vibes!
 
Guinea pigs <3 said:
I don't have that much experience with bonding, other than it was a difficult one with Mabel and Finley so I do feel it was a steep learning curve!

Just wondering how they were over night? I remember when I was trying to bond Fin and Mabel that you wanted to try Wexford an his gang with your two girls, well done on taking the plunge! When it doesn't work out the first time it gets quite nerve wracking trying again doesn't it!

Really hope it all works out, sounds like it is going to once they sort out their hierarchy! Sending bonding vibes!
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Well, they are all still alive :p and JJ is still chasing/nipping :( am keeping my fingers crossed :{
 
Sodapops said:
Well, they are all still alive :p and JJ is still chasing/nipping :( am keeping my fingers crossed :{
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:)) well no blood has been drawn so that's a good sign! Just to put you at ease Mabel lunged at Finley at least three times, at one point they were rolling around in a ball of fur and Mabel had a cut on her lip and chin...now they are best of friends rolleyesmallethead so it really doesn't sound too bad!

Lets hope the other piggies stand down to JJ and give her the top piggie post which she clearly wants! Keep us updated and hope the nerves aren't too shattered! :))
 
Summer may be coming into season; the first time with a new group and/or especially a (neutered) boar in the mix is always a strong one. Rampant sows tend to mount either girls also coming into season or lower ranked girls. Generally, things will quieten down a lot over time, and you will only note the odd strong season.

I have regular humping fests, as the sows of my big group are coming into season very much in big "lumps" whenever one of the girls is getting hormonal. Currently, I have in my upper cage trio nearly blind Taffy chasing and mounting a very vocal (and loud voiced) Tegyd with Terfel (their husboar) trying to get in on the act, but somehow missing the spot... He's the only full sighted one! mallethead
 
Guinea pigs <3 said:
:)) well no blood has been drawn so that's a good sign! Just to put you at ease Mabel lunged at Finley at least three times, at one point they were rolling around in a ball of fur and Mabel had a cut on her lip and chin...now they are best of friends rolleyesmallethead so it really doesn't sound too bad!

Lets hope the other piggies stand down to JJ and give her the top piggie post which she clearly wants! Keep us updated and hope the nerves aren't too shattered! :))
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Tulisa and Charlotte just run away from JJ screaming - so i think they are happy for her to take the 'top pig' position in the group :)


Wiebke said:
Summer may be coming into season; the first time with a new group and/or especially a (neutered) boar in the mix is always a strong one. Rampant sows tend to mount either girls also coming into season or lower ranked girls. Generally, things will quieten down a lot over time, and you will only note the odd strong season.

I have regular humping fests, as the sows of my big group are coming into season very much in big "lumps" whenever one of the girls is getting hormonal. Currently, I have in my upper cage trio nearly blind Taffy chasing and mounting a very vocal (and loud voiced) Tegyd with Terfel (their husboar) trying to get in on the act, but somehow missing the spot... He's the only full sighted one!
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Summer was definitely in season yesterday - ive been monitoring Summer and JJ for this and tried very much to bond them all during this time :)
 
Haha, JJ sounds like such a character, can we see a pigture of the little tyrant?! :))
 
Guinea pigs <3 said:
Haha, JJ sounds like such a character, can we see a pigture of the little tyrant?! :))
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lol funny thing is - JJ is the smallest of the lot mallethead

Here is a pic of her at about 7wks old (like butter wouldn't melt)

PICT5376.jpg


And an up to date pic of her (taken last summer)

PICT6146.jpg
 
DROOL! She is stunning! :)) Her and Wexford will make a gorgeous couple ;)

I can't blame her for wanting to rule the roost, if she can get away with it why not try :))
 
Abys - and ginger! drooldrooldrool

I hope that JJ is settling down eventually!
 
How is little JJ doing with the new additions? Hope they are all together still!
 
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