Cagney Update And Her (lack Of) Social Skills!

[Guinea Slave]

Well the good news that Cagney is putting on weight massively after her Pneumonia and now weighs 945g. Her normal weight is 998g and she went down to 860g a few weeks ago so I am very happy.

I spent all morning splitting the cage as she is cannot go back with Sebastian, she is terrified of him. So I split the cage using the C&G grids so they can see but not touch. Spent all morning making it all neutral, two of everything etc, none of her old stuff so removal of any territory she may have had before. And put her half sister in with her...

For about 2 mins all was well and Cagney seemed pleased to have a friend back. Then they both wanted the same house and all hell broke loose. Just basically a ball of two guinea pigs fighting literally tooth and nail, rolling over together. Shocking. I have not seen anything like it before. Thankfully no blood was let and I pulled them apart. There is no way that can go on.

So what do I do now? I have run out of possibilities as she no longer gets on with the herd she had been with for 4 years. Do I leave her as a lone pig but where she can see her friends (not ideal as the two cage split is not ideal for the other 3) or do I try to bond her with another? My head tells me its wrong that she should be on her own and would be much happier with another but am I just attaching human emotion?

If I get another then I need an entire shed redesign to ensure they all have decent cage sizes but happy to do that.

Not sure what to do! What do you think ? @Wiebke tagging you as I know you have been through this!

 

[Wiebke]

Older sows can become extremely difficult to bond or even bond back in; if Cagney is ever to live with another piggy again, it needs to be one she can totally control - and one you need to date, probably a number of submissive babies. Otherwise, she will be OK as a live alongside piggy with interaction through the bars, but as queen of her own territory.

I have been there with Nerys last summer, who thankfully found that Nesta would put up with any stick from her. Otherwise, I would be where you are with Cagney now. It is a very gutting experience. A lot of it seems to be based on fear-aggression rather than outright aggression.

 

[Guinea Slave]

Thanks weibke. I usually adopt from Anna at Wheek and Squeak and they usually all come along and choose a friend. I am wondering if I try one more time and as you say, see if she is happy with a baby. She can then set the ground rules. We usually spend some time just sitting and watching them to ensure they are ok. So thinking of trying that.

Sadly I agree it's fear aggression not her wanting to be on her own which is why maybe I should try one more time? It's so upsetting isn't it? They were a very happy herd a while ago, wish if knew what has gone wrong :-(

 

[Wiebke]

I have been there with mine last year, and yes, it is a very gutting experience. I have a few girls with a fear-aggression problem. With some, I have been able to work through it and get them into a group or with a companion that they are happy with, with others it hasn't worked. There is no hard rule, you have to take every piggy as it comes.

Boars generally mellow with old age, sows unfortunately go the other way and can get much trickier as they get older.

 

[Guinea Slave]

Weird isn't it? In the ten years of having guineas I have never experienced this. I will try her with another at Anna's and let's see, that way I will know for sure and I know then I have tried all options. Thanks weibke!

 

[Treacle]

a little 'off topic' but,when you said boars mellow with age, I just imagined Pigson, who is laid back anyway, with his pipe, slippers and rocking chair......

 

[Guinea Slave]

Hee hee, I have a boy like that as well. I often think exactly the same about him too!