Humfred
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi,
Thought Id get posting straight away.
Ive got two boars who are around 4 and 2 years old. The oldest of the two was said to be around 2 when I adopted him from the rehoming centre in pets at home. He was apparently brought back twice and I was advised he was kept alone as he could not get along with other pigs. After reading up on it I wanted to introduce him to a friend regardless of what I was told, cause worse case scenario they wouldnt get on, and Id keep them seperate. I got Freddy, who was also looking to be rehomed by himself. He was around 6 months old. I regret to say that looking back, I made alot of mistakes, dispite the fact that I looked into it, I didnt have experience and didnt know what to expect. The initial introduction went ok, but soon after Freddy challanged Humbert for dominance (his age?) and fighting started. I interfeared to much, pulled them appart when I shouldnt have and their cage was too small at the time. One day they ended up in a bad fight, having to be pulled appart, both with multiple bite wounds. I thought that was it. They have since lived in a cage with a deviding wall. Ive always wondered if they could be reintroduced, but been too nervous after our bad experience. Two days ago I plucked up the courage and with all precautions in place, let them meet each other again, on neutral grounds ofcourse! (you learns things along the way) There was rumbling, some chasing, humping and nose offs, but no fight! I sat with them all afternoon next to their pen. By the end of the day they ate veg together and went to sleep.I then cleaned out cage and all furniture with vinegar, got rid of sevising wall (the cage is about 28 square ft without devide) and put them in. Its now been two days and no dights. Sometimes they will happily sit on the same patch of hay eating (which they dont have to, cause the cage is big enough, and multiple houses, hay racks, food etc) Sometimes they pass each other and rumble, teeth chatter,do nose offs, but it never lasts long, and doesnt seem to escalate. They usually go their own way after a minute. They also seem to walk past each other rumbling and squeeking loudly, almost souns as if they are talking to each other. What is the verdict? Are the chances it will work this time, or can it still escalate? And are they actually happier or does living together cause them stress. Ive been keeping a close eye, and they let each other eat and drink, so no bullying. Was it a good idea to reintroduce? All advise welcome :-)
Thought Id get posting straight away.
Ive got two boars who are around 4 and 2 years old. The oldest of the two was said to be around 2 when I adopted him from the rehoming centre in pets at home. He was apparently brought back twice and I was advised he was kept alone as he could not get along with other pigs. After reading up on it I wanted to introduce him to a friend regardless of what I was told, cause worse case scenario they wouldnt get on, and Id keep them seperate. I got Freddy, who was also looking to be rehomed by himself. He was around 6 months old. I regret to say that looking back, I made alot of mistakes, dispite the fact that I looked into it, I didnt have experience and didnt know what to expect. The initial introduction went ok, but soon after Freddy challanged Humbert for dominance (his age?) and fighting started. I interfeared to much, pulled them appart when I shouldnt have and their cage was too small at the time. One day they ended up in a bad fight, having to be pulled appart, both with multiple bite wounds. I thought that was it. They have since lived in a cage with a deviding wall. Ive always wondered if they could be reintroduced, but been too nervous after our bad experience. Two days ago I plucked up the courage and with all precautions in place, let them meet each other again, on neutral grounds ofcourse! (you learns things along the way) There was rumbling, some chasing, humping and nose offs, but no fight! I sat with them all afternoon next to their pen. By the end of the day they ate veg together and went to sleep.I then cleaned out cage and all furniture with vinegar, got rid of sevising wall (the cage is about 28 square ft without devide) and put them in. Its now been two days and no dights. Sometimes they will happily sit on the same patch of hay eating (which they dont have to, cause the cage is big enough, and multiple houses, hay racks, food etc) Sometimes they pass each other and rumble, teeth chatter,do nose offs, but it never lasts long, and doesnt seem to escalate. They usually go their own way after a minute. They also seem to walk past each other rumbling and squeeking loudly, almost souns as if they are talking to each other. What is the verdict? Are the chances it will work this time, or can it still escalate? And are they actually happier or does living together cause them stress. Ive been keeping a close eye, and they let each other eat and drink, so no bullying. Was it a good idea to reintroduce? All advise welcome :-)
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