Bonding Day Disaster

[Rosierum]

Since I'm off work for the week and Ava had settled in to her new surroundings I decided it was time to try introductions. The neutral pen was set up with a massive pile of hay and some veggies ready to go. Ava had met the girls through the bars a couple of times and all signs looked good.
Tempers were flared but eventually almost everyone started to relax with a few of the girls lying down even Ava who has been alone for most of her life. I thought things were looking good until world war 3 started with Ava lunging at and chasing everyone. With everyone so stressed I had to call it a day.
Feeling defeated and unsure what my next move should be?

The beautiful Ava

 

[Poppy'sMum]

@Wiebke as our bonding expert should have some advice

 

[Wiebke]

Give it another try on another day, but consider the bonding failed if tensions are right up there from the start.

I find single sows and some pairs that have never been through another bonding before very difficult. Acceptance may initially happen, but it often fails in the dominance phase.

Lunging is a strong expression for "stay away from me" and chasing means that Ava is obviously not willing to share her personal space; it is not uncommon with single or bereaved guinea pigs or even top sows in bonded pairs that won't come out on top in the new hierarchy. If necessary, keep her as a next door companion for stimulation, but allowing her to have her own queendom. I've currently got four of them and another maybe.

Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

 

[Lady Kelly]

Is it possible to try bonding her with one pig at a time? I had full on lunging when I tried to rebond Bumble with the other 3 about 4 years ago after she had lived with another boar for a few months. In the end I worked it out by putting her in with her original companion Bea (top pig), the following day I added Jemima and then 2 hours later Peter. By this stage Peter was old enough (and not top of the hierarchy) to know just to go with whatever Bea said. There was a little tension but nothing like previously, no chattering, no yawning, no lunging and it went back to like she had never been away. I might have been very lucky and I don't know if by doing this you could maybe upset the current hierarchy too much.

 

[flowerfairy]

I know ... Drive her down to my house and leaave her with me. She is sooooo lovely.

Hope you find a happy solution for her.