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Post by stascha15 on Aug 23, 2012 8:25:33 GMT
Hi everyone, I have only just registered and I am hoping that all you much more experienced guinea pig owners can give me advice. We had two pairs of male guinea pigs; two were brothers (black, long haired) and two were from a rescue and came as an established pair (Golden Agouti and white Abyssinian). Over the last year one of the rescue pair died, and last week sadly one of the brothers died. We read up on "lonely" guinea pigs being miserable and it sounded like it was worth a shot trying to introduce the two remaining males. We did this in stages and yesterday they moved into the same cage ( I scrubbed it with water/vinegar solution and put completely new houses and tunnel in). They don't seem too bad at all, neither is a very dominant character I think. However, the Abyssinian seems to be the boss. He constantly goes up to long haired one and makes a sound that sounds like "purring", I don't know how do better describe it? It sounds very mildly threatening. He also chases the other guinea pig back into the house on occasion. On other occasions the black one seems to stand up for himself though and kicks out or just pushes past. All in all it doesn't seem nasty, still, the black one doesn't seem to get much peace as the Abyssinian is just constantly "in his face". Do you think it all sounds like normal "getting to know you" behaviour and they will get used to each other? I am worried that the black long haired on doesn't have enough chance to eat or drink in peace! Thanks for your help!
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Post by Teebers on Aug 23, 2012 8:40:00 GMT
The 'purring' is known as rumble strutting and it's a normal dominance behaviour.
It sounds like those two have started off well! Initial boar introductions are often a lot more hairy than what you describe so I wouldn't be too concerned. I imagine the aby will slowly become less in his face as time goes by. Certainly providing multiple water bottles can help to reduce any friction as well.
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 23, 2012 13:19:57 GMT
Hello and welcome!!!
Do you have two of everything, houses, water bottles, pellet bowls? If you are worried that one isn't getting enough to eat or drink, put a pellet bowl and water bottle on each end of the cage. That way the dominant one can only guard one at a time. Put the hay in the middle, so they come together to share that, and make sure there is more than enough hay for both to access easily.
Establishing dominance is part of guinea pig life, and while it seems nasty to us sometimes, they generally understand the procedure. They are establishing who will be boss, and to what extent.
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Post by stascha15 on Aug 23, 2012 13:30:22 GMT
Thanks for your replies, 3piggles and Teebers. Yes, we have two bowls and two water bottles and two hanging hay baskets- will move them closer together. Today our two already seem calmer than last night, so I am quite positive and hopeful.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 23, 2012 14:34:28 GMT
A very warm welcome love, hope little piggies are sorted now.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 23, 2012 22:00:05 GMT
They adjust as quickly as they can. It's a survival instinct. Each day will be a bit better than the last one.
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Post by jenbonjovi on Aug 23, 2012 22:19:35 GMT
Welcome! I am pretty new here too and you will find everyone really helpful. X
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 24, 2012 12:34:37 GMT
Hi and welcome! It sounds like your boys are getting on very well. Rumble strutting (purring with a swaying bum) and mounting are mild dominance behaviours. Whenever two piggies come together or are moved to new surroundings, they need to establish or re-establish their dominance. You may find this link helpful: www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm |
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