Bonding questions.

Livia Rabideau

Livia Rabideau

Adult Guinea Pig
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I recently adopted two 9 month old sows. I was hoping to bond them with my 3 year old sows. If it doesn't work out I am going to build them a c and c cage and stack it on my current cage. My current cage is 5 by 3 c cage with a loft. If the neutral area bonding goes well and I try to add them to my cage together should I block the loft off at first? I wouldn't want anyone to get stuck up there. Is 5 by 3 a good size for 4 girls? I also thought of taking down the loft and bumping out to a 5 by 5 instead, but one of my girls loves the loft. They are currently side by side. They are interacting. There is no teeth chattering or anything. They are chewing on the bars and sniffing each other. They sit next to each other and eat. How long should I wait to try to bond them. I have a large master bathroom that I plan to use. Both sets have been a part of a group before. I have read the guides so I feel prepared although nervous. Lol. So if the initial bonding goes well I can try them all in the same cage the same day after I do a complete cage clean out and rearranging correct? Thank you so much in advance! I always have so many questions, but I want to do this right.
 
Hello :)

Exciting times ahead! That size is fine for 4 piggies.

I'd biond them then once it is settled move them straight into a thoroughly cleaned cage. No chattering through the bars is a good thing, please let us know how you get on
 
I would love it if you could keep this thread updated, this is basically the scenario that I will be faced with in the near future as on wednesday i am bringing home a pair of sows and would love to make a little herd from them!
 
Unfortunately it did not go well. It did at first. My submissive pig and the other two immediately are right next to each other. My dominant female was off by herself from the beginning. The two new girls went over to greet her. She flipped out. She started with teeth chattering then showing teeth and hissing. She lunged and rolled with the dominant new girl which sent the new submissive pig to attack my submissive pig. Nobody was hurt. I had my oven mitts and towel ready. It just went bad so fast. I am not sure if having both new girls near her freaked her out or if she just really doesn't want to be with anyone new. Ugh. I have to build a new cage for the new girls now and rearrange my piggie room. I also need to move floor time for my boys now because with three cages I don't think there will be adequate space. I thought about stacking, but I don't know how easy it will be to clean and access. I am only 5'1. Wish it had worked out. Oh well. I still have three happy pairs.
 
dannif_piggies said:
I would love it if you could keep this thread updated, this is basically the scenario that I will be faced with in the near future as on wednesday i am bringing home a pair of sows and would love to make a little herd from them!
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That was my hope too. However my one piggy didn't want any part of it. She is usually so sweet and quiet. I was completely surprised.
 
Livia Rabideau said:
Unfortunately it did not go well. It did at first. My submissive pig and the other two immediately are right next to each other. My dominant female was off by herself from the beginning. The two new girls went over to greet her. She flipped out. She started with teeth chattering then showing teeth and hissing. She lunged and rolled with the dominant new girl which sent the new submissive pig to attack my submissive pig. Nobody was hurt. I had my oven mitts and towel ready. It just went bad so fast. I am not sure if having both new girls near her freaked her out or if she just really doesn't want to be with anyone new. Ugh. I have to build a new cage for the new girls now and rearrange my piggie room. I also need to move floor time for my boys now because with three cages I don't think there will be adequate space. I thought about stacking, but I don't know how easy it will be to clean and access. I am only 5'1. Wish it had worked out. Oh well. I still have three happy pairs.
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Oh this is so sad, I'm so sorry it didn't go as planned, at least you had the oven mits on stand by and was able to prevent injury. All you could do was try, the rest was down to the piggies really
 
Yeah. Just got back from getting more c and c cage supplies. My other two cages are 5 by 3. I only have room for a 4 by 3 for the new cage. Still a good size though.
 
Livia Rabideau said:
Yeah. Just got back from getting more c and c cage supplies. My other two cages are 5 by 3. I only have room for a 4 by 3 for the new cage. Still a good size though.
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Yeah 4x3 is still lovely, I'm really hoping mine end up getting on I'll be able to do an L shape cage with 4x2 and then 3x2 extension, if not though my current set up is sufficient.

Your piggies will still be very happy with that size :)
 
Nevermind! I was able to reconfigure my room and get them a 3 by 5 instead. Maybe at some point I will add a loft, but not now.
 
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