An early update on bonding

GusandPeanut

GusandPeanut

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all,

I was very lucky to have the advice of many of you when our baby pig's brother died. In the end, a local small rescue got in contact with a 2.5 year old pig and offered to let them test the water - and was satisfied their behaviour wasn't violent or out of the ordinary. Our original pig, Peanut, quickly showed himself to be submissive, letting out those loud distressing-sounding whimpers but unhurt.

They are now in the run, close by, which has been prepared properly. Peanut is now a little petrified of the new pig - even when he just catches a glimpse he runs away and chatters.

We had to pick them up for a minute and sit, and noticed they reflexively went to huddle when in the 'scary' setting of human arms. When put on the sofa with us in it, they didn't fight at all and hid together. Back on the floor and Peanut is still scared of him, though not keeping as far a distance.

We've never bonded before so just want to touch base and hear any comments or advice. The new pig has just come out for an explore and Peanut is keeping a jumpy distance - new pig is happily bubble sniffing away, unperturbed.
 
GusandPeanut said:
Hi all,

I was very lucky to have the advice of many of you when our baby pig's brother died. In the end, a local small rescue got in contact with a 2.5 year old pig and offered to let them test the water - and was satisfied their behaviour wasn't violent or out of the ordinary. Our original pig, Peanut, quickly showed himself to be submissive, letting out those loud distressing-sounding whimpers but unhurt.

They are now in the run, close by, which has been prepared properly. Peanut is now a little petrified of the new pig - even when he just catches a glimpse he runs away and chatters.

We had to pick them up for a minute and sit, and noticed they reflexively went to huddle when in the 'scary' setting of human arms. When put on the sofa with us in it, they didn't fight at all and hid together. Back on the floor and Peanut is still scared of him, though not keeping as far a distance.

We've never bonded before so just want to touch base and hear any comments or advice. The new pig has just come out for an explore and Peanut is keeping a jumpy distance - new pig is happily bubble sniffing away, unperturbed.
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Could you keep them in a divided pen next to each other for a day or two so they can get to know each other through the bars first? That may help.
 
Wiebke said:
Could you keep them in a divided pen next to each other for a day or two so they can get to know each other through the bars first? That may help.
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Hi again 🙂

We can put up two grids to create a divide in our C&C run - it will be more difficult elsewhere in the home though I'm sure we can get creative.

Would you recommend keeping them in the main run and making the division?
 
The bonding thread is very helpful.
It saved my sanity when I bonded 2 pairs a few months ago
 
Or poor Peanut, i’m Sure he is fine really, but to us humans it’s so distressing to hear our little ones not at ease x
 
Bill & Ted said:
Or poor Peanut, i’m Sure he is fine really, but to us humans it’s so distressing to hear our little ones not at ease x
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Thank you for the support as always Bill and Ted.

We let them stay together in the cage overnight without any major issues. There was a bit thuds and running and chattering while we watched them but both are up, no injuries or fights.

Peanut is continuing to run away and chatter from every single interaction with the new guy, whether it's nice or domineering. Does this bode well? New guy seems to be unfazed, and seeks out Peanut, whether it's to hump or hug (haha).
 
They've just absolutely gone for each other over breakfast, despite two separate bowls - nearly a really bad fight but I was standing by to stop them.
 
I’m really not sure, my two have the occasional spat with each other, usually about food. Can you place food bowls as far away from each other as possible? Or perhaps let one feed, while you nurse the other? I have had to do “time out” a couple of times in 3 years and separate for a couple of hours, which helped. Can you divide the cage so they can see each other for a while until things settle down a bit?
 
We divided the cage - as you suggested @Bill & Ted - but they didn't interact at all as far as we could see.

We've taken them out, on neutral territory, while we sit with them, and it's a mix of chatting, hissing and chattering.
 
It's not sounding good... Perhaps you should abandon mission and contact an approved rescue for boar bonding
 
Hi all - sorry to keep pinging you. @Veggies Galore, thank you for the support - it's still on the cards.

At the suggestion of the lady we received the new pig from, we're keeping him for the time being - until the new year, either way, which isn't too far away. We currently have them separated by a divider in the cage and they actually seem to get on this way - they were lying down and eating hay next to each other the other day, and they want to get through the bars (one occasionally bites the bars which we're putting a stop to).

Today - which would be after their third full day together - we got them and had them on the bed. Peanut is now just rumbling a little at the new chap, but seems more interested in - sniffing him, even trying a hump, and so on. They ate a little bit of hay together downstairs, with Peanut content at certain points to sit down and eat. However, they are still scrapping here and there, but they are boars.

The pattern that seems to happen is this: Peanut and new pig in the play area. New pig comes up to Peanut to sniff/speak/whatever with him, and Peanut reflexively chatters and runs - as if he's scared. The other pig takes this as aggression and they have a scuffle, or a chase. And then back to normal. We are wondering if there's a difference in energy? Peanut is a very, very lazy piggy, who is content with spending most of his day sitting around and having the occasional walk around and sniff. Conversely, the new pig is full of energy and very inquisitive, running around, sniffing, jumping on objects and very vocal, too - Peanut has always been quiet.

Any thoughts on this? Peanut isn't getting stressed out by this - he is acting normally at all other times and is eating/drinking fine.
 
Hi all - if you're receiving updates on this.

After three days we were encouraged by the previous owner to keep them until the new year - separated, but keep them both. We put bars in, and had to move the cage out of our bedroom as they were so bloody noisy pulling at the bars, rumbling but - promisingly - also squeaking and rubbing.

On one day while I was working (guinea pig cage in the spare room which doubles as my typing area for my second job...mercy) I noticed the new guy, Chester, had laid down to eat hay by the bars and Peanut was happily sniffing his bum, which is a good sign.

We had some time off over the weekend to pay close attention so brought the bars down. To our joy there were no massive fights and Peanut was a little more receptive. As the weekend went over, they spent a lot of time close to eachother and had only a few minor scraps. I think the main problem was the energy difference and also Chester being a little scared of his new home. We were confident of letting them stay in together while we went to work through the week, and there were no issues.

Long story short the relationship kept developing and now they're definitely friends. I think the fact Peanut has only ever mixed with one other pig, his brother, whereas Chester has mixed with lots of friends, created issues. Secondly, the energy levels - now Chester is a bit less jumpy, and Peanut understands him, they can chill out.

Thank you all for your help and advice, it was really appreciated - I won't tag as that's annoying, isn't it, but everyone who's posted in this thread - thank you :)

Here they are - Chester, who had to be removed from his partner in crime as they found out she was female - and Peanut, who lost his brother of 3 years but is now much more like a piggie again.

The only downside is that Chester appears to have shown Peanut how to drink. Gus, his deceased brother, never ever drank out of a bottle - only a bowl. Peanut never drank at all, and never in 3 years have I seen him drink. Now he enjoys a good glug every now and then, which involves him loudly attacking the bottle nozzle and crashing the cage walls around at 2-3 in the morning. Thanks Pea...:lol:

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