Bonding question.

[piggypig]

Hi all. A few weeks ago I lost my darling Bert due to a severe infection that led to him having to be PTS This has left his brother Ernie alone. I have had Ernie neutered and have been to a rescue to find him a girlfriend. So the question is how is the best way to introduce them to each other and what should I expect? It wont be for a few weeks as Ernie is still at the fertile stage. Many thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

If you can, have them next to each other where they can see and smell each other from their own hutch/cage.

Introduce them in a neutral space and make sure you have a few hours time to keep an eye on them (but don't interfere).

Depending on how much of a testosterone rush Ernie is suffering from, expect anything from a lot of rumblestrutting, bum-sniffing, chasing, humping (not necessarily from the right end). The lady will answer with a LOT of high pitch squealing, squeaking, whimpering and running (but never far!), trying to protect her rear if she is not in season and ready to mate. she may kick out at your boy to tell him off.

He will pee at her to show her that she is HIS chosen mate, she will squirt back to tell him literally to p*** off. It can get RATHER smelly, as the male pee is loaded with testosterone.

The intensity can vary a lot, as can the time it takes them to settle, from a few hours before they curl up together to several days, when a boar goes totally overboard and has this brain turned off completely - not a pretty sight, I can tell you! I have one of those boars...

Expect a smaller version when the lady comes into season for the first time; and very occasionally a flare-up of testosterone in the boy.

A bonded couple is usually quite devoted to each other; and your Ernie will be a very happy boy!

I am very sorry that you lost your Bert. We have a Rainbow Bridge pet section where we remember our lost ones and share our grief.

Please keep us updated! I'm looking forward to pictures of the happy couple!

 

[piggypig]

Thank you so much for your fast and very detailed reply. Their hutchs are next to each other in an L shape so they can see, hear and smell each other so I'm glad I got that bit right. . What sort of size is best to bond them in? I have a metal run that splits in to sections so I could use that or I have a dog carrier that I brought for when my rabbits were in a group of four is that to small as I know with rabbits smaller is better lol.

 

[Wiebke]

You can use your run, the bathroom floor or even the bathtub with a towel for grip... Just somehting where Ernie isn't territorial about and your new girl doesn't feel like an invader.

It's usually not such an issue with cross gender pairings as with same sex pairings, because dominance doesn't come into play with cross gender pairs, which is why they are generally so stable.

 

[piggypig]

Thank you for your help. I cant wait till I can bond them as I had seeing Ernie so low

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your help. I cant wait till I can bond them as I had seeing Ernie so low

I used to be in the same situation with just two guinea pigs. The second time round, I couldn't get a new female rescue companion, so I ended up with a neutered boy, my Llewelyn, who is a proper (and very busy) pasha with his own harem nowadays!

The good thing was that he was sad, but not pining with his other two girls to keep him company when Dizzy (in my avatar picutre) sadly died last month. I can't wait to see him when my other two newly adopted girls have settled in enough to be introduced to the others!

You will be amazed at the change in Ernie - with a new friend he'll be a completely different piggy! And as it's the girls who call the shots, he will be busy to court and woo and cuddle her...