Sisters fighting

[jess_2745]

I recently rescued to sisters, maisy and daisy. I introduced them to my older sow Tammy and they all got along fine. I found out Maisy was preganat so she has been on her own with the babies and Tammy and Daisy were in another hutch.

Now i want to put them all in together (apart from charlie when he's three weeks) but daisy has started attacking maisy. She goes for her teeth and chases her. Why is she doing this when they got along fine? and how could i try and re introduce them?

 

[Kerry123]

I recently rescued to sisters, maisy and daisy. I introduced them to my older sow Tammy and they all got along fine. I found out Maisy was preganat so she has been on her own with the babies and Tammy and Daisy were in another hutch.

Now i want to put them all in together (apart from charlie when he's three weeks) but daisy has started attacking maisy. She goes for her teeth and chases her. Why is she doing this when they got along fine? and how could i try and re introduce them?

Aww I wish I had better advice but unfortunately I don't I just hope they get along better soon. Maybe give a vet a call see what they say? 8

 

[Tracyxx]

They are attempting to re-establish the 'pecking order'. Whilst Maisy was away, Daisy and Tammy will have sorted out who's boss. You need to try to re-introduce them on neutral territory. A run in the garden would be good to try, and if you don't have a run, clean them out really well and try to remove any scents from the hutch.

 

[jess_2745]

When i have tried i've put them in the run because i thought it was neutral territory and they still go for each other. I'll just keep trying and keep a close eye on them so they don't get hurt. It's really annoying because i got them so they could all keep each other company and not have to live on their own. Hopefully it'll work out.

 

[Goldie]

Yeap, a difficult one. In my opinion, piggies have extremely short memories ... sometimes you only have to take one away for a short period of time and hey, it is though they have never met! rolleyes

But I guess it is because the other sow has been away and they now treat her as a new member. It can be very tricky with adult sows as they can be hurtful to each other.

Try bathing them to remove their scent, drying them thoroughly, pop a little of the same perfume on each piggies back, put them on neutral territory again.

Hopefully, that will help. But do be watchful of aggression as sows can be nasty too! I had an adult sow, who was very docile, hurt badly in her eye many years ago by another sow. I still remember it!

But fingers crossed, all will be well again and things settle down.
Keep us posted.

 

[Jon]

Try introducing them on your lap or something like that! Then it is even more neutral terriotory!

 

[Vikki]

Bathing might work but i would not put perfume on the guinea pigs as there may be something in it that might be harmful and bathing is enough to make them smell similar.

Maybe try keeping them in divided housing with just a mesh divider between then that way they cane get used to the smell of each other and being close without the fear of injury, after a couple of days swap the sides the guineas are on so they are living in each others smells which will get them used to being on territory that smells of the other ppigs then try introducing them again on totally neuteral territory.

Good luck hope this helps

 

[jess_2745]

I think i will try the divided hutch thing for a while. I would bath them but it's really bad weather here at the minute and i don't want to risk any uri's. I did try them on my lap but she still went for her! I used to have the run divided as well for my old guinea pigs so i'll put that back in and see how it goes.