3 SOWS NEED HELP...

  • Thread starter Thread starter DM1611120
  • Start date Start date
D

DM1611120

I RECENTLY GOT THREE FEMALE GUINEA PIGS THEY'RE ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS OLD. I'VE NOTICED THAT DYNAMIC IS VERY 2-1. BUT THE FEMALE (PROFESSOR) IS THE 1 AND SHE'S VERY DOMINANT. SHE WILL CHASE THE OTHER GIRLS AND WILL SMELL THEIR BUTTS AND START PURRING THE OTHER GIRLS SEEM TO SQUEAL IN SUBMISSION. SHE CAN BE VERY DOMINANT IF SHE WANTS A HIDE OR IF SHE WANTS TO BE IN THE HAY LITTER BOX ALONE. I'VE NOTICED HER ARGUING WITH POTATO THE MOST. THEY'VE EVEN HURLED AT EACH OTHER BUT POTATO SEEMED TO KNOW HER PLACE QUICKLY. I'M CURIOUS IF THIS DYNAMIC WILL CONTINUE TO BE OKAY IN THE FUTURE THEY'RE ONLY ABOUT 4 MONTHS OLD SO I'M SURE IN THE FUTURE THE DOMINANCE WILL JUST CONTINUE .... IDK IF THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE OKAY?
 
How big is their cage?
how long have they been together?
how long have they been with you? You said recently but how long have you actually had them?

They are coming into their teens so you will see dominance behaviours. when they are in season, you will see dominance behaviours. Also, if they’ve only just been put together, then it takes two weeks post introduction for things to settle down. Dominance behaviours are perfectly normal but a trio is the hardest combination to get right as often an outsider situation can occur.
If they can figure out a hierarchy between them then they will be fine, but if they can’t, and as I’ve said a trio is the hardest to get right, then they may not be able to remain together.

you will need to ensure their cage is big enough for three - that is measuring 180cm x 60cm and that you have at least three of every item (so three litter trays, six hideys, three water bottles, three water bowls etc) so no hogging can occur.

I’ll add in some guides below which contains far more information than we can repeat.

Also, please do not use capitals when writing posts.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
 
Piggies&buns said:
How big is their cage?
how long have they been together?
how long have they been with you? You said recently but how long have you actually had them?

They are coming into their teens so you will see dominance behaviours. when they are in season, you will see dominance behaviours. Also, if they’ve only just been put together, then it takes two weeks post introduction for things to settle down. Dominance behaviours are perfectly normal but a trio is the hardest combination to get right as often an outsider situation can occur.
If they can figure out a hierarchy between them then they will be fine, but if they can’t, and as I’ve said a trio is the hardest to get right, then they may not be able to remain together.

you will need to ensure their cage is big enough for three - that is measuring 180cm x 60cm and that you have at least three of every item (so three litter trays, six hideys, three water bottles, three water bowls etc) so no hogging can occur.

I’ll add in some guides below which contains far more information than we can repeat.

Also, please do not use capitals when writing posts.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Click to expand...
THEIR CAGE IS 3FTX6FT
I'VE HAD THEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW I GOT THEM ALL TOGETHER
DO I NEED TO INCLUDE 3 OF EVERYTHING IN THE FUTURE AS WELL OR JUST NOW THAT THEY'R IN THEIR TEENS?
 
PSP3 said:
THEIR CAGE IS 3FTX6FT
I'VE HAD THEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW I GOT THEM ALL TOGETHER
DO I NEED TO INCLUDE 3 OF EVERYTHING IN THE FUTURE AS WELL OR JUST NOW THAT THEY'R IN THEIR TEENS?
Click to expand...

Again, please don’t type in capitals. It’s considered shouting on the Internet.

Where did you get them from? Was it a pet shop? if so, because you got them together does not mean they have character compatibility. Unfortunately piggies are sold based on looks and usually just put together for sale rather than consideration being given to their character compatibility.

if it remains dominance and they can form a functioning hierarchy and live in harmony together without a 2 and 1 situation occurring, then that’s fine, but as I said, trios can be hard to get to work If they can’t sort out the hierarchy between them.

They need three of everything all the time, not just in their teens.
They are teenagers from 4 until 14 months of age.
 
ohhh i'm sorry I didn't read that last part.... I use caps at work sorry!

and yes I did get them at a petco. and if one continues to dominate the others should i seperate?
 
little adventures has 5 guinea pigs with only 1 hay box would that be okay?
 
How many of everything you need and for how long really depends on the character and relationships of the piggies concerned and also the layout and size of your cage. If you have a 6ft x3ft cage no harm in having some extra hay areas, my piggies have a big main hay area to share then also we have corner litter trays full of hay with a water bottle next to each in case they dont want to share sometimes. Piggies dont always want to share, even good friends want their own corner sometimes and their own stuff! Especially with ladies when they are in season or if one of the others is having a strong season and being a bit bossy and hormonal, they might like a bit of space from each other... if your cage set up allows for that you have a better chance of a stable group longer term!
 
It depends but if it is just dominance then it’s fine to leave them to sort things out between them.

you need to have multiple items, particularly for hormonal teenagers - you need to have as many items as you have piggies to prevent hogging. If you only have one hay tray and the dominant claims it as their own, then the other two won’t be allowed to eat and then you’ve got real problems. All food/hay and water should be placed in multiple places around the cage
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top