What can I do when my pigs don't get along?

[Rodent Rat]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and have five boy pigs. Squeak (a bit slow but lovely) who was the first, Mole and Ratty, they were second, Trevor and lastly Vincent (blind we think).

A bit of background information:Squeak came from a pet shop together with Bubble (a rex rabbit). I did go to the pet shop with the intention of getting a rabbit. I'd never had guinea pigs before. Anyway, when the rabbit was taken out of the cage the guinea pig became distressed, squeaking
and running around. I was told the rabbit and guinea pig had always been together. I came home with both of them.Everything was fine, they lived together well, out in the garden and in the shed at night but then i was told i shouldn't have a rabbit and guinea pig together and should separate them and get another guinea pig.

I went to Cavy Haven, Winsford to find a companion for Squeak and came home with Mole and Ratty. The 3 guinea pigs were fine for a while but then Mole and Ratty ganged up on Squeak so we separated them, went back to Cavy Haven and came home with Trevor. Mole and Ratty are fine together. While observing Squeak, Mole and Ratty together, Squeak was different - not the same behaviour as the others. Seems 'special'. I'm thinking this could be because when he was very young, he was with a rabbit.
Now, Trevor is dominating Squeak, chasing him away from the food and water. Squeak spends most of the time in the corner of their cage. I feel they need to be separated.
Do the other guinea pigs sense Squeak is different and reject him?
Should i separate Trevor and Squeak? If so, should i try Trevor with Mole and Ratty or find another companion for him. What about Squeak? Leave him alone?
Incidentally, the rabbit often goes to him, lies next to him. (Rabbit is loose in the garden, Squeak in his run)
Finally, Vincent came from Pets at Home. He'd been attacked by the other guinea pigs and was isolated. We think he is blind. He lives indoors on his own. He's about 9mths old now. What should we do regarding a companion? Don't want him to be attacked again.
Sorry for such an essay! Thanks in anticipation,
T

 

[Wiebke]

I would recommend separating Trevor and Squeak - keeping a mate from food and water comes under severe bullying.

Perhaps you can try Squeak with Vincent or arrange that he can live next to the rabbit? Another possibility would be to have him neutered and living with a gentle sow. He would need to live away from the other boys, though.

Trevor is currently at a difficult age when the hormones are at their most virulent (which accounts for his behaviour; it has less to do with Squeak, apart from Squeak being not a dominant boar). I would not try to put Trevor with your stable couple right now - if things go haywire, you can end up with three single boars instead of a trio.

 

[SDRB_TP]

I think Vincent and Squeak should be put together in a trial, and then put Trevor with Ratty and Mole. Boars can be a lot more picky with who they want to share a hutch with than sows! mallethead mallethead

If Vincent seems a bit quiet because of his past, he may suite Squeak. If it doesn't work... well, you could always message me and i'll try and suggest another match, haha. rolleyes 8

Good luck! xx>>>

___

Best regards,
Isabella, Tallulah, Penelope & Lily.
x

 

[Doeylicious]

I am afraid I disagree with SDRB_TP - Ratty and Mole seem an established, stable pair. Adding another pig to the mix could upset this and as Wiebke said, end up with three single boars.

Also I agree with Wiebke that Trevor and Squeak should be separated, as Trevor's behaviour could easily effect Squeak's health if he can't eat or drink enough.

I am not sure on your location, but Suzy GPR offers an excellent boar dating service at her rescue, so you could speak to her regarding finding your boys their own special friends. Her service is second to none and very, very thorough - she just won't let a boy go with the wrong friend and really knows her stuff.

 

[Suzygpr]

A bit more info on cage sizes as this is often a major problem when it comes to boars getting along - they do need extra space for their testosterone so a cage above the minimum 4ft x 2ft is best for a pair.

If a pig is being bullied away from food and water - even when you have two or more bottles/bowl/hideys then separation is needed, living side by side with a pig is preferable to living entirely alone or with an aggressive cagemate.

If the fall out happens during the hormones months (6-10 months are the strongest) then it can be possible to rebond them once the youngest has reached 12 months.

Adding a third male to an established pair is almost guaranteed to fail - especially as Trevor is so dominant so please do not not try it as you could easliy end up with injured pigs, and 3 single males that will not tolerate anyone.

As for your blind piggy, finding him the right partner should not be too hard as long as he is boar-dated by someone experienced, with a number of males to try him with, as getting the right personality mix is very important. If you would like advice on how to do a bonding between Vincent and Squeak, which may be worth trying, I'm happy to advise if there is no-one who can help in your area.

This is Milo (white piggy) who came to the rescue to find a new companion, he fell for Demetri - who is blind and deaf. The bond between them was almost instant, delightful to see after Demetri had spent the first 3 years of his life being severely bullied in a group of four males.

HTH

Suzy x

 

[Rodent Rat]

Many thanks for your replies and advice.

Sorry for the delay getting back, my daughter had an accident so we've been in hospital for hours.

Anyway, i have separated Trevor and Squeak. I've not had chance to try Squeak and Vincent yet due to Emma's accident. I'll put them together soon as i can.

I've left Mole and Ratty as they are good friends.

Therefore, Trevor is on his own. Hopefully Squeak and Vincent can go together.

As far as hutches are concerned, they're all in ex-rabbit hutches. Mole and Ratty are in a 6ftx2.5ft hutch. Squeak and Trevor in a 5ftx2ft. Squeak now has this to himself. They live in these hutches outside in the summer. Are in large runs on the grass during the day. In the winter, they live in the (heated) shed in a stack of 3 hutches, each 5ftx2ft. Trevor is now in one of these on his own. I think they have plenty of room in hutches and have daily grass etc.

Thanks again for your advice. I'll let you know how they all get on. Trevor's not happy.