Bereaved guinea on her own- OK?

[Pinki]

So after the passing of Tahini last week, Neem, her twin sister, is on her own.
She spent the first few days not eating and sad, but now is seemingly doing good.

We tried yesterday a new female bonding (12 months old, Neem is 3 yrs) but it didn't work out as the younger guinea attacked Neem quite badly. She's not injured and now recovered.
So my question is..is this OK, to have her on her own? Is it cruel? She doesn't seem miserable at all. We've always had a minimum of 2, normally 3 guineas and never one. Is there anything to watch out for? We are monitoring closely and we can change the situation if needs be. In the past we've always gone and got 2 babies for the older female, but as owners we are not sure we want to go through all the pain and loss again.
As you can tell, we are confused!
Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'm so sorry for your loss and that the bonding didn't work out.

At just 3 years old, she has a lot of life left so it is rather a long time to be alone. If you aren't sure you want to continue a piggy cycle, then perhaps you could try fostering a compatible friend for her. This will enable you to give companionship to Neem but you can hand the foster piggy back to the rescue centre once Neem passes, thereby ending your piggy cycle.

 

[Pinki]

I'm so sorry for your loss and that the bonding didn't work out.

At just 3 years old, she has a lot of life left so it is rather a long time to be alone. If you aren't sure you want to continue a piggy cycle, then perhaps you could try fostering a compatible friend for her. This will enable you to give companionship to Neem but you can hand the foster piggy back to the rescue centre once Neem passes, thereby ending your piggy cycle.

Thanks for this. Never thought of that. Of course we'd end up bonding with the foster guinea and couldn't bear to take her away from her home!
I guess we need to figure out what it is we want. We've had a bad run of illnesses this last 18 months and it takes its toll on your well being, as i'm sure you know.

 

[Wiebke]

So after the passing of Tahini last week, Neem, her twin sister, is on her own.
She spent the first few days not eating and sad, but now is seemingly doing good.

We tried yesterday a new female bonding (12 months old, Neem is 3 yrs) but it didn't work out as the younger guinea attacked Neem quite badly. She's not injured and now recovered.
So my question is..is this OK, to have her on her own? Is it cruel? She doesn't seem miserable at all. We've always had a minimum of 2, normally 3 guineas and never one. Is there anything to watch out for? We are monitoring closely and we can change the situation if needs be. In the past we've always gone and got 2 babies for the older female, but as owners we are not sure we want to go through all the pain and loss again.
As you can tell, we are confused!
Thanks

Hi!

I am very sorry for your upset and having come across a very fear-aggressive sow that felt massively threatened and out of her depth.

Have you considered asking a rescue whether you can foster a companion or two for Neem with the companions reverting to the rescue after Neem's death?
PS: What about trying to rescue date an adult neutered boar if there are any? So you come home with a new mate of a similar age only if they get on.
Rescue Locator

 

[Pinki]

Hi Wiebke
Yes the sow was definitely fear-aggressive..nicely put.
Fostering is not something we thought about but will consider. Thank you.

 

[Free Ranger]

A bit irrelevant but I saw the littlest old doggy today trying to bark aggressively as I passed her on a path (owner deep in conversation with her other little dog who had sat down waiting to be carried!) I was pondering my chances passing the ankle-biter when her owner said very apologetically, "sorry - it's because she's blind, all she can see is shadows." When you realise how frightened they must be you can understand their fierce demeanor. If I hadn't learnt about fear-aggression on this forum I'd be misunderstanding a lot of situations with all sorts of animals!

Good luck with Neem - when you find the right match it will all be worthwhile. Have you considered a neutered boar? Rescues neuter nearly all their boars x

 

[Pinki]

A bit irrelevant but I saw the littlest old doggy today trying to bark aggressively as I passed her on a path (owner deep in conversation with her other little dog who had sat down waiting to be carried!) I was pondering my chances passing the ankle-biter when her owner said very apologetically, "sorry - it's because she's blind, all she can see is shadows." When you realise how frightened they must be you can understand their fierce demeanor. If I hadn't learnt about fear-aggression on this forum I'd be misunderstanding a lot of situations with all sorts of animals!

Good luck with Neem - when you find the right match it will all be worthwhile. Have you considered a neutered boar? Rescues neuter nearly all their boars x

That is a very lovely story, you are so right.
It's very hard to see your precious bereaved guinea being attacked by an 'outsider'... but like you say the poor thing was probably frightened out of her mind.
Thank you Free Ranger!

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry you lost Tahini and such a shame poor Neem was attacked. I agree with others, see if you can find a neutered boar, some rescues do neuter the boars that come in which haven’t found a companion boar to live with.
Good luck x