Bonding an older and younger male

[Ayame164]

So I just bonded my 8 month guinea pig and a new male baby guinea pig about 2 months old. They have been interacting now for about 2-3 hours and after displaying normal guinea pig behaviors they have not yet shown any signs of aggression or anything deemed concerning in my eyes.
Do I keep them in the same pen over night or do I separate the 2
Am I doing more harm then good by separating them or should it be for the first few nights.
I’m told that once them bonding them it’s bad to intervene but I would rather be safe then sorry
Any advice ?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi, it is best not to separate as it will only stress both parties out and likely have a negative effect on your bonding attempt. So far it sounds good, you'd know rather quickly if they were going to attack one another. Typical signs as I'm sure you're aware of during bonding include: mounting, chasing, nipping (no blood) and alot of squeaking! So long as blood isn't drawn we advise not separating.

It is daunting leaving them and I too was very worried with my boys. Just offer veg and plentiful hay etc before leaving them.

 

[Ayame164]

Hi, it is best not to separate as it will only stress both parties out and likely have a negative effect on your bonding attempt. So far it sounds good, you'd know rather quickly if they were going to attack one another. Typical signs as I'm sure you're aware of during bonding include: mounting, chasing, nipping (no blood) and alot of squeaking! So long as blood isn't drawn we advise not separating.

It is daunting leaving them and I too was very worried with my boys. Just offer veg and plentiful hay etc before leaving them.

What if I needed to step out do I separate them or keep them together ?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Everytime you separate and then reintroduce your boys will need to start the dominance dance from scratch. As you can imagine the more this happens the more tension you put on the pair. This is why we recommend ensuring you have several hours put aside for bonding. I would want to be close by to keep an eye on them after moving them to their cage for an hour as a minimum to make sure the move doesn't trigger anything. After that you can nip out etc just check on them regularly until you are certain they have settled without problems

 

[Kelly_uk18]

I bonded my then 15m old and 5 month old on new years day. I had scent swapped blankets etc for the week before then put them both in their new home together. I sat nearby for 8 hours with a broom and a blanket ready to separate as there was so much teeth chattering and no obvious hierarchy. I kept them together with a little light on over night so they weren't shocked waking up together. Kept lots of hay and veggies where it can't be blocked by either of them and hideys with an in and out. Keep a good eye on them for a couple of weeks as it could all change but mine are 5 months in now, although they aren't best buddies their cage is big enough they don't have to share anything so they enjoy each other's company xx

 

[Jesse's pigs]

What if I needed to step out do I separate them or keep them together ?

I would keep them together constantly now UNLESS blood is drawn in which case the bond has failed and separate.

 

[Wiebke]

So I just bonded my 8 month guinea pig and a new male baby guinea pig about 2 months old. They have been interacting now for about 2-3 hours and after displaying normal guinea pig behaviors they have not yet shown any signs of aggression or anything deemed concerning in my eyes.
Do I keep them in the same pen over night or do I separate the 2
Am I doing more harm then good by separating them or should it be for the first few nights.
I’m told that once them bonding them it’s bad to intervene but I would rather be safe then sorry
Any advice ?

Please keep boars together and do NOT separate! If in doubt, leave them in the bonding area overnight before transferring to their neutralised cage. Please be aware that the post-bonding dominance period is around 2 weeks.

More information on the various bonding phases, boar bonding and the teenage months in the following links:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (including chapters on boar and on baby bonding)
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (including bonding advice)
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

All the best!

 

[Ayame164]

So it’s the second day they have been together.
Last night I decided to keep the little one in my older guinea pigs cage and overall there was no concerning or worrying behavior just the occasional rumble strutting, low squeaks and mounting. I am aware this common guinea pig behavior but from the photos I have provided this morning what is your opinion on there progress. Is it safe for them to be together unsupervised?

 

[Wiebke]

So it’s the second day they have been together.
Last night I decided to keep the little one in my older guinea pigs cage and overall there was no concerning or worrying behavior just the occasional rumble strutting, low squeaks and mounting. I am aware this common guinea pig behavior but from the photos I have provided this morning what is your opinion on there progress. Is it safe for them to be together unsupervised?

Yes, it sounds very normal and par for the course with any dominance behaviour in the mild range.
Please read the chapter 'Dominance' in the bonding guide as this stage lasts on average about 2 weeks: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics