So I have three little piggies, a dad and what I originally thought was two sons, turns out one is a girl though! But the boys are getting neutered because they seem so upset to not all be together. They are technically in the same cage right now just with a barrier between them, they can see each other and touch noses and everything but they still seem upset about it. They try to chew through the bars all the time and sometimes they shriek if they can't see each other for a second. The little ones have always shrieked like that when separated. If I take Neji out then Keba (who may or may not get a girls name now that I know) will scream for him and he'll do the same thing. If two different people are holding the little ones and they shriek all you have to do is stand by each other so they can see each other and then they calm down. Is this normal behavior for very close guinea pigs like litter mates? The internet just says that they shriek when they're in pain. But my little ones are not in pain they just want each other I think.
Hi and welcome!
I am very sorry, but you can't keep more than one neutered boar with any number of sows, or they are likely to fight. Separations are hard for young guinea pigs, and they can be very vocal, especially in the first few days. After that, things will calm down. It is heart-breaking and unpsetting to sit through it, and you have my full sympathy!
Guinea pigs don't just squeal in pain, but they also squeal when being separated (especially when they are still basically babies) and they squeal as a gesture of submission. It is the latter that is usually mistaken for pain by many owners. Submission squealing is very dramatic, but also very effective in preventing the dominant piggy from hurting a submissive one. Most dominance gestures look more brutal than they actually are - they are very carefully judged demonstration of power in order to minimise any actual fighting and biting, which is pretty rare.
How old is Keba now and how long has she been separated? Sows come into season for the first time between 4-6 weeks old, so there is likely a good chance that she may be pregnant. If that is the case, please open an ongoing support thread in our pregnancy section. You can find detailed guides for pregnancy care, diet and the whole period until the end of the nursing period/separation time at the top of that section.
This guide here may help you with sexing and separation issues:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sexing-separating-baby-boars-and-rehoming-babies.109391/, including a link to the best sexing guide I know. You determine the sex best by looking inside the slit - sows have side flaps, which seal the slit when they are not in season; boars have a hole that goes straight down.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-guide.109375/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-and-nursing-diet.109377/ (very important for managing the birthing risks that you can influence)
You may also find our new owners information kit very helpful. We have got lots of information on behaviour and settling in/interaction aspects as well as other useful need-to-know information to help new owners to a good start.
" Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners
Since we have members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can always tailor any advice and recommendation to what is available, doable and relevant where you are. As you can imagine, conditions and available brands, as well as vet and rescue access can vary widely. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!
