Bonding boys

HumberHen

HumberHen

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi there
I recently posted about my bereaved boy Nyx aged 31/2 approx. We have collected a boy ten months from a great sanctuary. He had been separated from a bullying brother. They have been in a huge run in the garden for about 5 hours. The new boy won't let my boy eat he is very quiet and flat. New boy Chasing him away from all the piles of food. How long may this continue and when should I intervene? My boy lost weight following his bereavement. They will need to be in the large indoor playpen overnight which is a worry. I can return the new boy if it doesn't work but would like to know how to proceed. Thank you
 
I'm sorry to say this sounds to be a failed bonding.
This kind of resource guarding/bullying behaviour shouldn’t occur at all with a successful acceptance and bonding. I would definitely separate them now.

When did you pick up the new boy?
I ask this as to whether the new boy was given at least several days/a week (even two is ok) in a side by side cage with your boy to settle in and get to know each other between the bars prior to the bonding attempt?
If he only arrived today then attempting a bonding now could just be too soon - a scared piggy in a new environment can overreact, be fear aggressive and that sets up the bonding to be on a bad footing or even fail.
With that said, being side by side for any amount of time won’t make any difference to the outcome if they are simply incompatible. Unfortunately though he may always be fear aggressive from previously being bullied.
 
Hi there
No we picked him up this morning and we're advised to put them in the large pen together they've been there about 7 hours. My boy has been out to graze a little without interference just now. Do you think my sanctuary boy has learnt from his own previous bad experience and is copying this behaviour? I will need to bring them in in a couple of hours. I have made a huge playpen in our spare bedroom but it is a worry for over night
 
It’s better to allow them settling down time in separate side by side cages for up to a week, and not attempt bonding immediately.

It’s not necessarily that he has learnt it and is copying it, it’s more about being scared in new situations and around new piggies and shows his fear by being overly aggressive or dominant. A fear aggressive piggy ultimately is terrified and overreacts because of it.

When you say ‘out’ to graze - have you put hides in the bonding pen? Hides should never be included in the neutral territory as a hide simply then becomes territory and can cause problems

Moving them to an indoor pen and monitoring further may be possible - I would do it right now though, not in a new hours time as you are simply reducing the amount of time you have to monitor. But also be aware that it is new territory and they will react accordingly with new rounds of dominance.
If things still don’t improve in the indoor pen, then I would call it failed. Whether through fear aggression or incompatibility, there should not be this level of issue
 
Thanks for your prompt reply. They have two cardboard boxes with the ends cut out so like a big tunnel. Should I remove these when I bring them in ? I will do it now. Everything is clean and neutral in the indoor space.
 
Yes remove them - you don’t want anything other than hay and water in a bonding pen
 
Hi again
Tried the bonding in the neutral area. My sanctuary boy got quite aggressive and tried to take a bite out of Nyxs back. Fortunately he got a Rosette of hair instead. I have gave cleaned out a spare hutch and they will be near each other in the garage. I have a run with a divider so will run them parallel for a few days then try again
 
I’m sorry the bonding hasn’t been straight forward. Hopefully next time it will go better. 🤞🏻
 
I’m sorry to hear that.
As an aggressive bite attempt occurred, I would be very reluctant to try again - this sounds very much like a fail to me unfortunately.

If you are going to try it, I would leave it longer than a few days, and be very ready with oven gloves and towels - grudges are held so things may escalate
 
Do keep in mind that their behaviour when side by side is not indicative of their ability to bond. It is just about calming and settling down.
Some Side by side behaviours such as laying against the bars are actually hostile/territory marking moves, and not friendly/want to be together moves

Good luck
 
Good Morning. I separated the boys. Nyx is looking very cowed and hasn't eaten overnight. Can this happen after a failed bonding? The other boy eating fine. I'm now thinking I shouldn't try them together again?
 
Morning

He may be upset by what has happened.
Are they entirely next to each other with just bars between them? While that is what is needed for single piggies, it is also possible that if nyx can see the other boy that that is upsetting him more.
If they can see each other then try putting solid separator between them and see if nyx perks up.

Generally speaking you would expect the ‘bullied’ pig to perk up once they are separated

Weigh nyx daily as it is the only way to monitor hay intake.

As I said yesterday, given the attempt at bonding didn’t sound positive plus an aggressive bite attempt occurred, I wouldn’t risk putting them together again.
 
Thank you. They are in opposite hutches with a gap of a couple of feet between them. Nyx so wants a friend but I think you are right I daren't risk it l. I have hand fed him some mint and he is having a little song as I type. Shall I run him parallel to my other pair of boars today as I've been doing for the last month? Just want to do the right thing. Thank you
 
Yes you can try to position so that it is nyx, your other pair, then the rescue boy - so both singles can be completely beside other piggies but that nyx and the rescue boy are not side by side
 
My rescue sanctuary have just messaged. They are getting some slightly older single boars coming in next week. They suggest I take the little boy (9 months) back and try again in a little while. I think this is what I will do. Thanks again for all your support
 
I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out.
Bonding teenagers isn’t always easy but hopefully both Nyx and the rescue boy can find their perfect match in another piggy

Keep us posted and fingers crossed next time will be successful
 
Try scattering multiple food piles far apart tomorrow, but if the new boy keeps being overly aggressive and Nyx stays totally shut down, it's completely okay to prioritize Nyx's health and contact the sanctuary.
 
Hi there. I have taken the little boy back he is fine the sanctuary have told me. Nyx has started to be more himself parallel to my other pair
A couple of nights not eating but he is grazing now in the garden so hopefully all will calm down and we can think about trying again in the fy
 
HumberHen said:
Hi there. I have taken the little boy back he is fine the sanctuary have told me. Nyx has started to be more himself parallel to my other pair
A couple of nights not eating but he is grazing now in the garden so hopefully all will calm down and we can think about trying again in the fy
Click to expand...

I’m glad nyx is feeling better; and that the other boy is ok.
 
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