Are My Pigs Bonded?

PiggyProdigy

PiggyProdigy

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 25, 2017
Messages
226
Reaction score
71
Points
215
Location
Kingwood, Texas
Hey, all! Sorry to post another behavior/bonding post, but I have a thought.
So I think my boars who I've had seperayed for over a month now may actually have been bonded for a while. The last time I went through the process with them, they went all the way through, and I placed them in their newly rearranged cage, but shortly upon the domanant boar showing signs of dominence, I got scared and split them up again.

I know what you're going to say, let it play out, see what happens, don't interrupt... I was scared. Since then, they do things that I'm told bonded pairs do THROUGH the bars! They sniff faces, chew on the same chew toys, (Chester sticks his face through the bar a bit so he can do it with Bojangles), they make this kind of a whimpering noise when they look at each other separated, and today Bojangles was grooming Chester! I swear to god Chester put his side next to the bars so he could pick things out of them.

So what's the status here? Should I go through the process again and risk everything, or put them in their new cage and see what's up?

I need some expert wiebke advice!
Thanks
 
Here's a photo of the new cage if you're wondering. It's 5x2 and I'm working on getting a loft. IMG_1305.webp
That that in the corner is one of those bathroom dishes you can supposedly train them to go #2 in, be I think it looks nice either way !
 
PiggyProdigy said:
Hey, all! Sorry to post another behavior/bonding post, but I have a thought.
So I think my boars who I've had seperayed for over a month now may actually have been bonded for a while. The last time I went through the process with them, they went all the way through, and I placed them in their newly rearranged cage, but shortly upon the domanant boar showing signs of dominence, I got scared and split them up again.

I know what you're going to say, let it play out, see what happens, don't interrupt... I was scared. Since then, they do things that I'm told bonded pairs do THROUGH the bars! They sniff faces, chew on the same chew toys, (Chester sticks his face through the bar a bit so he can do it with Bojangles), they make this kind of a whimpering noise when they look at each other separated, and today Bojangles was grooming Chester! I swear to god Chester put his side next to the bars so he could pick things out of them.

So what's the status here? Should I go through the process again and risk everything, or put them in their new cage and see what's up?

I need some expert wiebke advice!
Thanks
Click to expand...


Try them on neutral ground first and see how they get on; I would recommend to not do this in their normal surroundings. Please respect that dominance behaviour IS a vital part of the bonding/integrating process as your boys re-establish the hierarchy and therefore a working group; without this phase a bonding is meaningless. Sitting by and not interfering is the hardest thing you can do, but it is crucial in giving your boys a chance.

Don't move them to their cage before they have had a few naps together and are still fine with the other being there. You can even leave them in the bonding pen overnight if necessary.
 
And also, that's what I did that one time. They worked everything out and then were just eating hay and lettuce togethor and chilling, then I freaked out when I put them in the re arranged cage.. so on that basis should I do it again or are they good?
 
i would try a neutral area,a bath,a run,somewhere they have not been before,you must let them work it out.unless both piggies draw blood or fight you must let them sort it out.I find if a prelude to a fight is very loud clacking of teeth,rearing up,circling around each other,then they clash like a mass of one furball.you will not mistake a true fight,have a gloves at the ready,never seperate with bear hands.usually if they are not going to get on this happens within the first hour.so you will need to be observing for at least an hour.after this if all is well i would leave them alone overnight.put plenty of hay in a pile,veggies as this will keep them occupied.do not put hides/pigloos in at this bonding phase.Good luck ! :)
 
PiggyProdigy said:
And also, that's what I did that one time. They worked everything out and then were just eating hay and lettuce togethor and chilling, then I freaked out when I put them in the re arranged cage.. so on that basis should I do it again or are they good?
Click to expand...

If the totally new cage is in another location with new bedding, fine. Otherwise I would do the bonding in another room so they can start on an even footing.
 
@Wiebke The cage is new grids, fleece, and cage accessories. No hideys. It is in my room but it's in a part neither one of them has been in before. Is that acceptable?
 
Also, if I wash the water bottles will they be usable again once bonded? And how will they sleep if they have no hideys? Could I put in 2 ended ones for bonding?
 
@Wiebke How do I know when this is done? There's a lot of hay eating, then submissive squealing from Chester and then Bojangles tries to sniff his face and they both back off and eat hay again... that's happened like eight times.
 
Sorry two more questions!
1. If they are truly bonded and I feel comfortable with what has happened would it be okay to leave them togethor for school tomorrow
And
2. Of their bottles and bowls are washed throughly in my washing machine could they be rid of scent and used for the day?
 
Yup. Looks like a successful bond. Thins settled down, they napped, and now just shared a bit of lettuce without fighting. They bring the big peice togethor, and Bojangles, the dominant pig, rips it into a half. There is some dominance display, but that of order and not if testing. Looks like they're bonded after all. It's 11:16! Goodnight!
 
They are lovely - hope it continues to go smoothly :nod: good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top