Bonding My Seven Guinea Pigs Into A Herd, I Hope!

flowerfairy

flowerfairy

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I cleaned out part of the trios cage and added a fleece blanket, lots of hay and some grass.

I put Tani in (she and Mistletoe have been touching noses through the bars for a day or two) then in went the trio (Mistletoe, Jingle and Caramel) then the babies, Rosie and Cherry and last of all newcomer Primrose. They all immediately began eating. Primrose and Tani sat peacefully next to eatch other.

Rosie and Cherry have stayed very much together. Mistletoe has chased (slowly) Tani and Rosie and Cherry. Tani tends to leap in the air when Mistletoe approaches and is now rumbling oops no that is Caramel rumbling trying to mate Tani who is NOT impressed. Jingle has intervened and Caramel is lying down. Mistletoe is nearby clearly fascinated.

Cherry and rose are at the other end of the cage. Primrose is hiding.

Tani just sniffed Jingle's bottom. No reaction. Tani did a little jump and is eating near Jingle and Mistletoe. J. is alert and watchful.

It is all so utterly fascinating. Caramel is up again. He is lying v. close to Primrose.

I love it.
 
Lovely commentary @flowerfairy sounds like all is going along OK hopefully it'll continue to do so. Expect wee spraying and lots of running away this is perfectly normal. When I bonded my 5 together there was lots of wee spraying in the face :vom: mainly from Velvet (THE BOSS) to show the boys she wasn't to be messed with. Everybody gets on with everybody and they are all really close. The 2 boys are in with the 3 girls and I know I am very lucky to have managed to pull this off. I just hope it stays the same way when they have their shiny new hutch!
 
I will respond properly laters. It is going ever so well. Although I think that Primrose is a little overwhelmed. She has eaten and Tani hangs out close to her which is sweet to see.

There are a lot of cross noises, mainly from Tani, Rosie and Cherry when Caramel chases them, rumbling away like a good un!

Jingle is watching everything closely and has told off Rosie and Cherry (the babies) but not fiercely. Mistletoe told then off too earlier but there have been no fights or yawns or anything. Phew.

A bit of dozing is going on at the moment with the odd munching noise. Awwwwww.

Have taken loads of pics ready to upload later. Primrose is eating. YES.
 
how exciting. I can't wait to see pics, could you do a video too? Would love to see what you're describing so well, sounds awesome :)
 
Right. Pics

Group shots when they first went in

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Cherry and Rosie are close and like to be together. Cherry mixed with the rest of the herd more readily than Rosie (smooth coated sow). Rosie gets her confidence from following Cherry.

On the left are Tani and newcomer Primrose. Tani befriended Primmy and often sat with her during the bonding today.

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Rosie investigates Primrose

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Mistletoe (far left) has a sniff at the new girl

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Tani (look at her cute tan nose) is confident amongst the herd

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flowerfairy said:
I cleaned out part of the trios cage and added a fleece blanket, lots of hay and some grass.

I put Tani in (she and Mistletoe have been touching noses through the bars for a day or two) then in went the trio (Mistletoe, Jingle and Caramel) then the babies, Rosie and Cherry and last of all newcomer Primrose. They all immediately began eating. Primrose and Tani sat peacefully next to eatch other.

Rosie and Cherry have stayed very much together. Mistletoe has chased (slowly) Tani and Rosie and Cherry. Tani tends to leap in the air when Mistletoe approaches and is now rumbling oops no that is Caramel rumbling trying to mate Tani who is NOT impressed. Jingle has intervened and Caramel is lying down. Mistletoe is nearby clearly fascinated.

Cherry and rose are at the other end of the cage. Primrose is hiding.

Tani just sniffed Jingle's bottom. No reaction. Tani did a little jump and is eating near Jingle and Mistletoe. J. is alert and watchful.

It is all so utterly fascinating. Caramel is up again. He is lying v. close to Primrose.

I love it.
Click to expand...
It's lovely when all goes as well as this bonding has!
When darling Suzie died two of my groups just seemed to merge together without any fuss! Oliver, the babies Husboar used to take them through into the other groups area while I was cleaning them out! Suzie had been the only one in the other group who was upset with the invasion! She was an old lady and didn't like all the fuss!
 
All going so well. Hay hay and more. Happy munchies

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Two strong characters, Jingle and Rosie

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Caramel between the two babies, Cherry and Rosie

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Two old ladies together. Tani (right) is groomi g Primrose

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flowerfairy said:
All going so well. Hay hay and more. Happy munchies

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Two strong characters, Jingle and Rosie

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Caramel between the two babies, Cherry and Rosie

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Two old ladies together. Tani (right) is groomi g Primrose

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Click to expand...


Loving the photos!
 
Jingle spent most of the day wandering about eating. She then took up look out position in the corner. By this time I had opened up the whole space. 12 x 2 grids.

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Tani exploring the newly opened up section of the cage.

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Caramel serenading Tani whilst Jingle watches

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Tani and Cherry

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Sorry back to topic. Not 'Spiderman' threading this one.

Flowerfairy it looks like it is going really well, you must be really pleased
 
Pretty little newcomer Primrose studiously ignoring Mistletoe on her left.

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Rosie and Caramel. He is smitten. I think she will be ready to made soon (yes he is neutered and well pat 6 weeks post op).

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Tani chillin next to Cherry

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Rosie my little darling. She has been alone a lot today (when Caramel can leave her be) often sitting apart from the others.

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Primrose hiding, as she has most of the day. Jingle near by, not interacting but just sitting gently beside her.
 
Jingle and Mistletoe dozing. Cherry was resting til I took the pic!

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Rosie and Mistletoe. There were cross words earlier but looking calmer now

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Tani and Mistletoe. M chased T a bit today and when she caught with her Tani leapt into the air. Happened a few times but all fine now.

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More Rosie and Mistletoe

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Last of all Rosie and Caramel laying close to each other. Happy end to a day of bonding.

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Gave them all loads of hay pellets and salad just now. Cherry, who usually runs and hides when I come in the room, stood at the bars whistling at the top of her voice as I asked who wanted yummies!
 
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