will my piggies get on

[herbie53]

Hi Ive had an 8 month old male piggy for over a week which ive adopted he has really settled with us and sits with us on the settee at night quite relaxed and stretched out, he loves to be cuddled and hand fed, i wanted him to be happy and not be lonely so ive got him another male piggy who is a few months younger, i put their cages next to each other so they could see each other and have a sniff, we then put them together to see how they would get on at first they seemed ok, we gave them both some food, they jumped about and sniffed each other and became very noisy, we put them to bed in their separate cages and got them out to have breakfast together this morning, they both ate out of the same bowl which was good, then my first piggy became very loud and they both started to rear up to each other on their back legs id this a bad sign? I'm really worried these are the first pets ive had for over 28 years and a novice with guinea pigs, do i persevere with them or is my piggy happier being on his own?/:...:{

 

[Piggiewinkles]

I recently introduced my 2 boars, one is 6 months old and the other is 10 weeks. I followed the advice on the forum which is not to keep re-introducing them as it's like starting at the beginning each time you do so. You should introduce them on neutral ground, i chose the bathroom floor. I put a big plate of hay and veg down for them to bond over eating it, and stayed with them for about an hour. I read up of signs of behaviour first so as not to mistake anything they were doing. At times I wanted to interfere as there was alot of mounting going on and I thought they were getting distressed, but they weren't, it was just them simply finding who was the more dominant piggy. Before putting them back in the cage, I disinfected it and re-arranged the furniture so it would seem new to both of them. I linked both cages up with a ramp to ensure they had enough space in their new home. There was a fair bit of mounting and chasing going on for the next day or two but they soon worked out their new life together. I've only had them together for 10 days and now they follow each other everywhere, running about the living room and popcorning under the table, and squeaking for each other.
Even if you follow the advice it is not a guarantee they will get on as like us humans they have personalities that might always conflict.
If you didn't introduce them on neutral ground and prepare their living quarters it would be best to do so if you have separated them again, then I guess start from the beginning.
I would advise reading up on boar behaviour as it states what may look aggressive to us is just simply them working each other out.
Hope that helps a little.

 

[Claire W]

Hi. Have a good read through this thread if you haven't already done so http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949 I'm afraid I can't offer much advise as I have only ever bonded sows. The bonding process can take a while especially with boars. There are people on here who have successfully bonded males so I hope that one of them can help you out further. Rearing up to each other on their back legs, I 'think' is a sign of aggression. Did you split them up at this point? I agree that you should only separate if things turn nasty as you will have to start the process all over again. The problem you have is they will both be trying to be top pig at the minute.

 

[Wiebke]

Here is a list of tricks of the trade for introductions:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562

However, as both boys are in the stroppy age, they may ultimately not get on with each other. they will be happy to live side by side, though. I deally, we recommend to bond an older boar with a very young boar.