Bonding Boars! Guidance needed please❤️

[Livvann]

So when I took on Jamie (in Jan) I immediately put my name down at every local rescue to get him a friend, 4 months later we are only a little closer and still on every waiting list. I have been looking at other options on the way but steering clear of any babies as Jamie is 4 and I don’t want to be dealing with hormones! I have been recently been contacted by a rescue whom have a 18m neutered male waiting for a friend but they don’t provide a bonding service… leaving it down to me! I have a few questions and was hoping some more experienced guinea pig owners could help me with.
1) How long do I need to monitor the boys? Obviously any aggressive behaviours=close monitoring but if all going well how long do I need to be in ear shot? I collect new piggie on Tuesday morning, I have the whole day off and my partner will work from home Wednesday. Is two days enough time to then leave them home unattended?!
2) Following on from this, if I am not 100% sure they are okay together by Wednesday night, can I separate them, putting their cages next to each other, and rejoin when I’m home? Or will this restart bonding?
3) A rather practical question, what if the new piggie eats difference nuggets? Jamie will 100% eat all of his nuggets and anymore he can get and possibly visa versa with the new pig but I don’t want any upset tummies so how do I go about this?
Thank you all for any advice given! I am reassure in the fact that the rescue seem very knowledgeable and are happy to take the guinea pig back if bonding is unsuccessful as I don’t want to permanently cut Jamie’s space in half.
Apologies for the incredibly long post, here’s a picture of my Jam Jam snoozing in the sun as a thank you!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'm glad you’ve found a potential piggy friend for him - fingers crossed they like each other!

1. If acceptance occurs, then you will know within a few hours. Once they have had their first nap together in the bonding pen and woken up, if nothing kicks off at that point, then you can be reasonably confident all will be well. It does take two weeks for them to fully form their hierarchy though.
So, several hours in a neutral territory bonding pen; if all goes well, then transfer them to the thoroughly cleaned out cage.

2. Please don’t separate after the initial introduction. If you separate them, then you will stop the bonding and you will have to start all over again the next day. This is frustrating for them and can, in some cases, be detrimental.

3. i wouldn’t worry too much. Pellets, being just one tablespoon per pig per day, are such a tiny proportion of the diet. While you are supposed to make a switch slowly, there may not be a whole lot you can do about it - either way, one of the piggies will end up being given pellets they aren’t used to

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Livvann]

Thank you very much for this. It will be Jamie’s second bonding attempt so although I’m still very much a beginner- I have seen what is NOT right and low and behold the big scrap occurred after their first rest/nap (right after I took a picture and thought how sweet they are napping together)

 

[Two_Wheeks]

Good luck! As above, you’ll know after they’ve had their first nap!

My two were in their bonding area for I think 7 hours in total. We’ve had a few rumbles since they’ve been in the cage together but boring I haven’t seen with my other boar pairs.

Fingers tightly crossed for them, and you!

 

[Livvann]

Everything going okay so far. My only concerns so far are the teeth chattering (louder than his usual give me food chatter but not worryingly loud) and a little yawning (to be fair to them neither of them have napped in 35/40 minutes so they could genuinely be tired). We have had eating together, grooming in front of each other and some ear nibbling. Keeping my hopes up and eyes peeled for the next few hours X

 

[Two_Wheeks]

It all sounds quite normal.. I think the hardest part will be holding your nerve when the dancing starts. I was lucky someone else was 'managing' it who had experience, otherwise I'd have chickened out early doors and it wouldn't have worked!

Good luck!

 

[weepweeps]

Sounds like it’s going well. Fingers crossed they like each other.

 

[Livvann]

So I have moved them to their cleaned out cage but without any sides so they currently have the whole room and the dancing most definitely has commenced and my nerve is only just holding out. It’s currently mutual humping with some squeaks of submission and lots of throwing mouths. Jamie (the older pig) is seeming quite tired from it all and the newbie (Marmalade or Marmy) has taken a scratch to the nose. They are still taking short naps near each other, cleaning together and sharing food. It’s really difficult what to decide- the rescue close at 6pm so I have until 5pm to decide whether I’ll let them spend a night together or not. Pictures don’t say it all but here are some anyway!

 

[Livvann]

Just managed a little shot of Marmy’s scratch, at what point do I stop? I really don’t want to take Marmy back to the rescue all battered but at the same time they aren’t constantly on each other (unlike Jamie’s last bonding experience)

 

[Two_Wheeks]

I think the fact they are eating and grooming together is a good sign, and I suspect the scratch is the result of a nail scratch - I think bites are what you need to really be concerned about, though I'm no expert..!

 

[Piggies&buns]

As they’ve not had a full on fight, then I wouldn’t worry at this point. A misplaced swipe doesn’t necessarily mean a problem

 

[Livvann]

Thank you all for your advice, it’s hugely appreciated! I am very glad I held out as the boys have since settled, with the squabbles getting fewer and a lot less intense. There’s been some interactions with no dominance at all and even a popcorn when Marmy successfully stole a piece of hay from Jamie’s mouth. They are yet to show any more signs of affection (sleeping together, ear nibbling, grooming each other) but that may come with time, or not at all. I hope because of their ages that once we are fully over sussing out the logistics stage, we’ll be on to happy lives together!

 

[Livvann]

Just a couple more photos as they are too cute not to!

 

[Livvann]

Just when I thought all was well… please see my other thread as I could really use any advice
Thread 'Jamie, Marmy and an overthinker for a pig mum!'
Jamie, Marmy and an overthinker for a pig mum!