Bonding Worries

[sam22697]

Hi! New guinea pig owner here.

I bought two females about 2 days ago. They’re little, maybe 5, 6 weeks old. I’ve been giving them some space since I brought them home and introduced them to their new environment. I have been noticing from time to time that little squabbles break out. One of the pigs, Daisy, is much more adventurous, doesn’t hide as much, and isn’t as bothered by me when I watch her eat/talk to her. The other one, Ginger, hides a lot and usually goes straight back to their hut after coming out to eat. Usually when Diasy is eating, and Ginger comes out to eat, and they get too close, Daisy will nip or frighten Ginger away. Sometimes she’ll chase, other times not. There’s a lot of squeaking from both, and usually Ginger ends up back in her hut before Daisy goes back to munching. But then other times they’re completely fine with one another — they both sleep in the same hut and have no problems, when they first came home they cuddled up together. They’ve still been sleeping together, but I’ve noticed that eating together is a big no from Daisy. Is this normal/will it phase out? Or should I be worried?

Any advice would be great, they’re both very sweet usually, I just want to make sure I don’t have a problem on my hands in terms of pairing!

 

[gmsong]

Mine did the same thing at first, they still do, but very little and I haven't encountered any problems where I have to seperate them

 

[Siikibam]

I would do two of everything - bowls, hides etc. Then the other can’t be chased away from food. Or two piles if you don’t use bowls.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! New guinea pig owner here.

I bought two females about 2 days ago. They’re little, maybe 5, 6 weeks old. I’ve been giving them some space since I brought them home and introduced them to their new environment. I have been noticing from time to time that little squabbles break out. One of the pigs, Daisy, is much more adventurous, doesn’t hide as much, and isn’t as bothered by me when I watch her eat/talk to her. The other one, Ginger, hides a lot and usually goes straight back to their hut after coming out to eat. Usually when Diasy is eating, and Ginger comes out to eat, and they get too close, Daisy will nip or frighten Ginger away. Sometimes she’ll chase, other times not. There’s a lot of squeaking from both, and usually Ginger ends up back in her hut before Daisy goes back to munching. But then other times they’re completely fine with one another — they both sleep in the same hut and have no problems, when they first came home they cuddled up together. They’ve still been sleeping together, but I’ve noticed that eating together is a big no from Daisy. Is this normal/will it phase out? Or should I be worried?

Any advice would be great, they’re both very sweet usually, I just want to make sure I don’t have a problem on my hands in terms of pairing!

Hi and welcome

Your girls are currently busy building up a working hierarchical group. The post-bonding dominance phase in which the nature of their relationship is developed lasts for around two weeks on average.
Things can get more dramatic during the first seasons as the shared emotional excess helps to cement the bond.

Please take the time to read these links here. You will find them extremely helpful, so you will understand what is is going on and know to look out for in the immediate future and the long term:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

 

[sam22697]

Thank you all for the comments and articles to read through, they’ve been extremely helpful! There is still some chasing going on, but only when Ginger gets too close/in Daisy’s personal space. She eats just fine if Daisy isn’t around/if they’re not near each other. Ginger has also started popcorning at night! That’s been super fun to watch, she zooms around the cage and popcorns until she crashes into Daisy, who is usually eating LOL. They’re fine in the hut together too, so unless anything gets nastier, I think I’m going to let them continue to sleep together.

 

[VickiA]

It all sounds like typical sow behaviour to me as they sort out their hierarchy in their new home together.