Bonding new baby, advice needed.

Nassala

Nassala

Junior Guinea Pig
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So after a few days of cages being together, Scent swapping cosies etc, I did introductions on neutral ground. All seemed to be fine, apart from Flump (white pig) doing some chasing. After a few hours they were moved to a freshly scrubbed cage. However over the next few hours Flump has been exhibiting some bullying behaviours like trapping the little one, nipping and chasing her away from the hay. Now she is chasing and nipping every time she sees the little one. This tension has spread and now the baby is scared of all the pigs and is keeping away from them all, running away whenever one comes into sight. It has even spread to my calm piggie Sherbet. In the video, small pig saw Meg (tri colour smooth), bolted, and ran right next to Sherbet. When she realised Sherbet was there she stood stock still and there was a very tense stand off until Sherbet went for her. Sherbet then tried to nip Meg as she went past. Is this sort of tension normal, was that a normal dominance nip, or one meant to hurt, and should I barricade the two levels overnight to give the wee one some peace? I've only really bonded boars before and I'm used to rumbling and mounting until it's over and they've just got over it. Any advice or reassurance would be welcome. The incident is about 25 seconds in.
 
Nassala said:
So after a few days of cages being together, Scent swapping cosies etc, I did introductions on neutral ground. All seemed to be fine, apart from Flump (white pig) doing some chasing. After a few hours they were moved to a freshly scrubbed cage. However over the next few hours Flump has been exhibiting some bullying behaviours like trapping the little one, nipping and chasing her away from the hay. Now she is chasing and nipping every time she sees the little one. This tension has spread and now the baby is scared of all the pigs and is keeping away from them all, running away whenever one comes into sight. It has even spread to my calm piggie Sherbet. In the video, small pig saw Meg (tri colour smooth), bolted, and ran right next to Sherbet. When she realised Sherbet was there she stood stock still and there was a very tense stand off until Sherbet went for her. Sherbet then tried to nip Meg as she went past. Is this sort of tension normal, was that a normal dominance nip, or one meant to hurt, and should I barricade the two levels overnight to give the wee one some peace? I've only really bonded boars before and I'm used to rumbling and mounting until it's over and they've just got over it. Any advice or reassurance would be welcome. The incident is about 25 seconds in.
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Hi!

Yes, you are in the thick of the dominance, which is on par.

Please make sure that there are no hideys or corners with just one exit are in the cage to minimise the risk of piggies locked in. The worst should hopefully be over in a day or two. Youngsters are generally very emphatically put at the bottom of the hierarchy. It is looking rough but should be shorter than a dominance phase where the power is more evenly balanced. Mothers do the same with their weaned offspring. Youngsters are always a lot more vocal and dramatic anyway.

Look up the information about the dominance phase: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
Thanks weibke! I did read the guides, but reading and watching are different things when it comes to your actual piggies :roll: and judging when things have gone too far. As long as vicious looking scuffles but no blood are par then that's a relief. I don't know why people think boars are harder work 🤷‍♀️!
 
Nassala said:
Thanks weibke! I did read the guides, but reading and watching are different things when it comes to your actual piggies :roll: and judging when things have gone too far. As long as vicious looking scuffles but no blood are par then that's a relief. I don't know why people think boars are harder work 🤷‍♀️!
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You have to keep in mind that nipping is a very carefully judged gesture of power - you won't find any wounds on the little one. She is just being summarily told to respect the private sphere of a dominant piggy.
 
Every bonding is hugely stressful for the humans. Far more so than for the piggies. Hang in there. It’s all handbags at dawn at the moment and will settle down.
 
I can't add anything but wanted to send you support. I hope all goes well and they sort themselves out quickly.
 
Great video. Lovely interaction seen - hard to believe they are newly bonded. Well done for holding your nerve and letting them get on with it.
 
Nassala said:
She really is! She's not quite used to haircuts yet so she gets a little off at a time, with the result that she always looks like a lopsided mop!
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That sounds like Priscilla - I can only trim her fur for as long as she's eating her bribes.
This week she had one side trimmed but not the other
 
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