Bringing home a bonded pair to an established singleton (all sows)

[cookie_ladyfriend]

Hi all, my sweet girl Pepper passed on a couple weeks ago, leaving a hole in my heart and Willow Peaychdee (pronounced "PhD", she's very smart) without a cagemate. I've just got a notice from my local shelter that there is a bonded pair of sows that I am first in line for. All parties are about one year old.

I found it tough to search for this specific scenario, so I figured I'd make a post to see if others have experience with this, and if it's even a good idea. I absolutely do not want to alienate Willow, and would rather wait for another singleton if that might be the case.

Their cage setup is a 5-foot table and a 6-foot table arranged in an L, so separating them without cramping their style is doable if need be. Demand is high for piggos in my area of the US, so the pair are likely to be adopted quickly if I choose to wait.

Advice appreciated!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, my sweet girl Pepper passed on a couple weeks ago, leaving a hole in my heart and Willow Peaychdee (pronounced "PhD", she's very smart) without a cagemate. I've just got a notice from my local shelter that there is a bonded pair of sows that I am first in line for. All parties are about one year old.

I found it tough to search for this specific scenario, so I figured I'd make a post to see if others have experience with this, and if it's even a good idea. I absolutely do not want to alienate Willow, and would rather wait for another singleton if that might be the case.

Their cage setup is a 5-foot table and a 6-foot table arranged in an L, so separating them without cramping their style is doable if need be. Demand is high for piggos in my area of the US, so the pair are likely to be adopted quickly if I choose to wait.

Advice appreciated!

Hi

I am very sorry about your loss.

It depends on either your own girl or the top lady of the pair being on the submissive side. One of the ladies, who are currently group leaders (even if it is a group of one) will need to step down in rank, and by far not all sows are willing to in my own experience.

Is the shelter willing to take the pair back (minus the adoption fee) in case the bonding is not coming off? There is unfortunately never a guarantee. Acceptance is much easier when one of the parties is much younger and can physically not compete. It is much more tricky when they are about the same age or fully adult.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

The Herd, the Group and I: Investigating Guinea Pig Identity and Society (You may find the chapters about the group and the family wiring interesting as they look a bit at what lies behind my remarks made above)

 

[cookie_ladyfriend]

Thank you for the links and the information. I got Willow after we lost Pepper's cagemate, and there was about a 4 year age gap (and notable size difference) between Willow and Pepper; Pepper was naturally the leader, and knew it and behaved as such. As Willow grew, and Pepper lost weight and mobility, Willow would occasionally chase Pepper around. I'm not sure if this means the hierarchy changed, or if Willow was just trying things out. But as Pepper's health really started to decline, Willow abandoned all dominance behavior, and became Pepper's helper. It was the sweetest thing.

I do think the shelter would be willing to take them back if they don't mesh. But perhaps in this situation the juice is not worth the squeeze, and I should wait for another singleton sow. My motivation is entirely for Willow to live as guinea pigs should—with a bonded friend, in a safe, friendly, familiar environment. If I introduce two new pigs, they don't get along and I have to split the cage and possible bring back the new pair, I worry that might be doing more harm than good. (Or am I anthropomorphizing?)

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the links and the information. I got Willow after we lost Pepper's cagemate, and there was about a 4 year age gap (and notable size difference) between Willow and Pepper; Pepper was naturally the leader, and knew it and behaved as such. As Willow grew, and Pepper lost weight and mobility, Willow would occasionally chase Pepper around. I'm not sure if this means the hierarchy changed, or if Willow was just trying things out. But as Pepper's health really started to decline, Willow abandoned all dominance behavior, and became Pepper's helper. It was the sweetest thing.

I do think the shelter would be willing to take them back if they don't mesh. But perhaps in this situation the juice is not worth the squeeze, and I should wait for another singleton sow. My motivation is entirely for Willow to live as guinea pigs should—with a bonded friend, in a safe, friendly, familiar environment. If I introduce two new pigs, they don't get along and I have to split the cage and possible bring back the new pair, I worry that might be doing more harm than good. (Or am I anthropomorphizing?)

It is always a dilemma. Guinea pigs need social stimulation but they can be very picky as to who they want to live with.

What usually works is a couple of baby girls under 6 months that cannot challenge an adult leader but that usually means buying instead of adopting.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I'm sorry for your loss of Pepper. That does leave a hole in our hearts.

Demand is high for piggos in my area of the US, so the pair are likely to be adopted quickly if I choose to wait.

That being the case, it sounds as if your local shelter might be more agreeable to taking them back if the bond doesn't work with Willow? Because if demand is high, someone else will happily take them. I would ask the shelter what their return policy is before you take the bonded sows though.

A singleton might not work with Willow either, especially if she's decided to be dominant now. otoh after being the non-dominant one under Pepper she might be happy to continue that status. Though no guarantee. Some guinea shelters in Germany including my local one note sow behaviour and can often tell you in advance whether a sow is more or less dominant and more or less likely to be able to bond with your own. But they also do dating...

My motivation is entirely for Willow to live as guinea pigs should—with a bonded friend, in a safe, friendly, familiar environment. If I introduce two new pigs, they don't get along and I have to split the cage and possible bring back the new pair, I worry that might be doing more harm than good. (Or am I anthropomorphizing?)

Your motivation for Willow is good! I wouldn't worry about the possible scenario of it not working out and that it's doing more harm than good. So long as you follow the bonding steps that I'm sure are in one of the links Wiebke gave you, you and the guineas should all be OK. So, I mean, if you can tell it's not going to work part way through the bonding process, that you then interrupt and don't force it.

Good luck.

 

[cookie_ladyfriend]

Thank you both very much for guiding my thinking. I'm going to mull it over, talk to Willow, and do what feels right.