Bonding Siblings; Separating Siblings: What to expect?

[CherryMuse]

My momma sow and pups got along well when they were together, but as they got older I had to split them up. Initially I thought I had 3 boars; then a sow and 2 boars; so the mom stayed with Ruby and the other silliest pups stayed together.

However now I know it's two sows, and have been working to reintroduce the sow silkie, Fae, to her mom and sister. First time I tried introducing in the cage (a mistake) and initially seemed okay because it was the usual sniffing and chasing that seemed normal. However at one point Ruby ran up to Fae as if to sniff her nose to nose but then jumped at her with the intent to nip. No blood but I got worried and removed her.

However she couldn't stay with her brother as he still too young to nueter, so I've been putting them together in a play pen to get use to each other...

So far but sniffing and following around which seems normal, though the last time Ruby seemed to muscle on Fae once or twice. Fae is really mellow and curious whereas Ruby is shy and was the smallest of the pups. She still runs from me sometimes but will take food so progress.

After initial greetings they seem to do okay and do their own thing, and I'll take turns feeding each hay. However I cannot tell if they will accept her yet, and I am worried Fae may get lonely as (due to being unable to financially or spacially care for four piggies) an acquaintence/co worker offered to take on in, and has taken a liking to Miles (their brother. Is there anything I should expect from mom and siblings once Miles goes to a new home? Should I still keep Fae by herself a little longer? I am also treating the mom with antibiotics, so with that should I keep her separate until mom and the other sow are cleared of any symptoms?

 

[DM030819]

Has there been any fighting @CherryMuse ? From your descriptions it sounds like there has been quite a lot of activity but no acrual fighting or blood drawn.

Guinea pigs are herd animals and so form a hierarchy. Each time a new pig is introduced they have to find their position in the group and that can be done with what looks like aggression.

I would try bonding them all in a neutral space.

 

[CherryMuse]

Has there been any fighting @CherryMuse ? From your descriptions it sounds like there has been quite a lot of activity but no acrual fighting or blood drawn.

Guinea pigs are herd animals and so form a hierarchy. Each time a new pig is introduced they have to find their position in the group and that can be done with what looks like aggression.

I would try bonding them all in a neutral space.

A little, yes, or what has looked like fighting to me. Initially I thought it was the more shy skittish one (Ruby) that first instigated, though after the first meeting they have instigated in equal parts. Mostly following one another around and looking like they're about to nip/nipping (it is hard to tell sometimes)

There were two incidents that had me concerned most, though:

1) The third (?) Meeting they were doing okay when suddenly there was a movement when those two and their mom was near and a squeak. I couldn't process what had happened as it was too quick but Fae (Ruby's sister) had moved to the opposite side of the pen; mom Sapphire seemed to ignore this incident in favor of sniffing their brother who was outside the pen (as being inside would risk pregnancy and seemed to annoy the sows as he tried to be dominant), and Ruby was less than a few inches away from Sapphire, shaking and quiet for a full 30 seconds. I didnt touch her, just spoke to her gently, and then she just stopped, and went to sniff her brother near the cage as if nothing happened.....I still dont know if one of them went after her and scared her or not, but I felt so bad


2) This happened just two days ago, and was their last meeting since. I put the pen in the living room instead of my room as a space had opened up and (I think this was my fault honestly) as they hadn't gotten their second small helping of veg I put their bowls in there on opposite sides of the pen. Fae made a fuss because initially Rhby was using the bowl I put in Faes cage, yet tried to share bowls and even tried with Sapphire as well. It led to a scuffle about 3 minutes later with Sapphire seemingly going after them both, and we had to cut the meeting short and put everyone back to let them settle.



Aside from those two, there was one time where Fae decided she didnt want to listen to Sapphire and began squeaking in protest, only quieting when Sapphire rumbled at her. Yet unlike Ruby (who will tilt her chin up when Sapphire gets in her face), Fae remained just as still yet turned her head to the side. This probably means something significant in terms of dominance, but I dont know if she was just having an arguement with her mom or defying her ranking as top sow.

I'm worried that perhaps they are already pass the point of being able to get along in the same pen, and while they will sniff each other through the bars and chew them, I dont think they are ready to be together as a proper heard.

Also no blood, and aside from one tiny initial misstep (acidentally putting her in the big cage with them but removing in ng them after 5 minutes because Ruby went up to Faes face then proceeded to try and bite her face) they have always met in the playpen area, as I hoped it would be more neutral.