Guinea Pig Re-introduction

[Shathra Jewell]

Hello, a few weeks back I posted a question about my piggies, I tried to introduce my newly adopted 3 year old castrated boar to my 3 bonded non-speyed sows but one of them rejected him and they were separated but still see each other through the cage bars. I took her to the vet and she was treated for a mild bladder infection (antibiotics finished on Friday), I decided to try introducing them again today following the vet's advice.

I fully and thoroughly cleaned the cage and put them all in, the 2 sows that originally accepted him were ok, but the one that initially rejected him was very grumpy then attacked him and bit his ear, I cleaned it and put him back in (that was this afternoon), since then no biting occurred but she is displaying aggressive dominance behaviour towards him and a little bit towards the other sows. Does the ear biting mean there is no hope of them being together? Should I make permanent arrangements for separation? And should I put the 2 other sows wit him and let her stay alone? I know guinea pigs must never be alone, thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello, a few weeks back I posted a question about my piggies, I tried to introduce my newly adopted 3 year old castrated boar to my 3 bonded non-speyed sows but one of them rejected him and they were separated but still see each other through the cage bars. I took her to the vet and she was treated for a mild bladder infection (antibiotics finished on Friday), I decided to try introducing them again today following the vet's advice.

I fully and thoroughly cleaned the cage and put them all in, the 2 sows that originally accepted him were ok, but the one that initially rejected him was very grumpy then attacked him and bit his ear, I cleaned it and put him back in (that was this afternoon), since then no biting occurred but she is displaying aggressive dominance behaviour towards him and a little bit towards the other sows. Does the ear biting mean there is no hope of them being together? Should I make permanent arrangements for separation? And should I put the 2 other sows wit him and let her stay alone? I know guinea pigs must never be alone, thanks.

Hi! Please always introduce guinea pigs outside their cage, as reactions will be much stronger. You have to see whether your sow and boar will settle down together. There is a good likelihood that problems will break open from time to time.
If you have split because there are more fights/bites or there is persistent bullying, then please make two pairs so that no piggy is left alone. See who is going best with who.

 

[Shathra Jewell]

Thank you for the advice, I started the introduction outside the cage for a couple of hours but aggression only showed when I put them inside the cage. I decided to give up on having them all together and stop them stressing and having injuries so I separated them permanently, they can see each other through the C&C grid though, is that ok? Thanks.