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Stemcells52

Stemcells52

Junior Guinea Pig
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I have 2 male guinea pigs that I have rehomed 3 weeks ago they seemed to be getting on fine but the last couple of days when I clean them out they have been getting a cross with each other and I'm not sure if I need to worry about this I thought they where having a lovely chase of each other the day also but now wondering if one is not picking on the other .
I have a 2 tier hutch and they are outdoor piggies they do not seem to use the upper tier and I'm reluctant to put one up there as he fell in his haste at the beginning to get away from me. I have tried to give them as much space as possible in the bottom of cage so only have 1 igloo which they both go in together should I maybe purchase another so they can hide separately.

All suggestions would be much appreciated
 
I would purchase another igloo so they both have their own safe place. Have you tried adding sides to the ramp and/or a layer of carpet so it's easier to climb. Perhaps put veg down it to entice them to go up and down. Unless they are biting each other or being really bad I wouldn't separate it is probably just teenage squabbles and little bickers over dominance. When you clean them out you're getting rid of their scent so it's kinda like a new place each time which is provably why they squabble. :)
 
Hi. Cleaning out time can be a bit stressful for boar pairs as they lose their scent markings and have to establish that it is my space all over again. If u know that you can plan for it, usually by distracting with food! And leave a fleece bed each that still smells of them for a while and then change that later.
I actually would not get another igloo and would bin the first one (sorry!). Igloos are not good as they typically only have 1 entrance so boars can get trapped in there and squabble. Tubes, tunnels or open ended boxes are much better. I favour small wine boxes from supermarket, cut out doors in each end = piggie house which they can also chew.
How big is your hutch? Just trying to work out the dimensions of the floor of 1 layer?
Helping them use the ramp with carpet, a ramp tunnel, sides etc is a v good idea as mentioned above so they can use the whole hutch.
But boys do a lot of rumbling, chasing, chuntering etc as normal behaviour. Have a look at the sticky thread about boar fall outs to learn what is the danger signals eg. Really loud teeth chattering, yawning, lunging, rigid posturing, stalking - a combo of above.....
I hope and doubt your boys are doing any of that and it more u getting used to boy stuff but it worth knowing. 1 will be the boss, it is more about whether the underpig is ok with that. And losing the igloo!
 
Thanks very much for this I used the idea about keeping something with their scent on when cleaning out and this definitely had them less stressed and less grumbling let's hope it continues
 
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