Guinea pig shuffle!

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chocdonuty

chocdonuty

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Ok so I currently have 7 piggys and after rescuing a 18 month old sow was just wondering what to do with them all!
I have, Petal (4) who was paired with marshmallow(1) about 9 months ago
They were joined by Pepsi and Kira (9m) 6 months ago and have been living together ever since in two skyline maxi cages joined together.

I also have sunshine and rainbow (3) in an r5a, they have been together since they were little and I took them on 2 months ago.

Sooo where should I put my new little millie? (18m) she lost her cage mate a few weeks back and so really needs a friend, she's in a 100 cage at the mo but obviously not a good permanant home.

My options are:

In with the foursome:))

In with the pair, possbily adding a new level and they are all small guinea pigs so that helps.

Putting my bigger girls into the R5 and so having the smaller ones in the larger cage (petal and Marshmallow are rather chunky, the rest are on the small side, definetly millie is quite small) not sure if this is unfair on them though splitting them up.

Buying a new 120 cage (can't afford one right now) and taking one of the girls from my foursome to pair her up with. Or possibly having a loooong cage they can all go in!

I did take her on with the possibility of rehoming her but my daughter is getting upset at the idea, she's becoming a softie like me!

What would be the best option realistically? it's doing my head in! mallethead
 
You could bond her with either of your group of sows. If she does not get on with one set then you can try with another. Always do introductions on neutral ground with plenty of space for them. It is normal to have teeth chattering but as long as they do not draw blood it looks worse then it really is. If they draw blood then separate right away and they cannot be put together.

It would be a lot easier for you if you had a c and c cage. You may even be able to have them all together as one herd!
 
I wish I got on with candc but I just don't, that's why I stick to normal cages. I think living in a flat the washing of fleece is a real nightmare!

I did wonder about putting them all in a long triple cage, well 3 skline maxis in a line. I have 2 in this setup already but then I've only just bought a r5a, does anyone want to swap? lol
 
I live in a flat and have a c and c. Fleece is a pain but you do not have to use fleece. You could use vet bed if you prefer it. I cannot see another way around it as c and c is the only option that gives you enough space. Unless you know somebody who can build you a huge home. I know somebody got a wooden wardrobe and turned it into a huge cage.
 
Well, I tried millie with both of my groups, in the hall with close supervision, (different times and a while inbetween) unfortuantly both times ended up with fighting, rolling round in a ball with the other pigs biting and pouncing at each other, if I hadn't have stopped them blood would have been drawn. So separated it is to be for now .:... I will try the bath method in a few days but i don't hold out too much hope.
 
The two cages that are together, are they both 4x2ft and together 8x2ft? That would be enough room for five on the condition that the next round of intros went better than the first. Is the new girl instigating the fights or is she being bullied by the others? If she was submissive to them then they should accept her so perhaps she is frightened and lashing out.
For the time being, is there space to have the lone piggle next to the group so they can talk and get used to each other? When you feel they are happy then perhaps try them again.
 
yes thats right, it's 8ft long overall.
Pretty sure it's the new piggy millie starting the fights, although it happens quite quick. She seems quite confident not hiding away at all and it goes from bum sniffing to full on fight in seconds. she seems to want a good sniff and my current piggys aren't keen! and so then the fight occurs. Not yet had to pull them apart but a sharp clap of my hands stops them for a few seconds so I can grab millie out of there.
It happened with both of my groups so pretty sure it is millie that is the problem, I did wonder if a neutered boar could settle her because she is a lovely piggy once she's on my lap but seems unhappy on her own!
 
Was she the submissive or dominant one with her friend that died? It could be that she wants to be boss and the others are quite happy as it is. I would give it a try putting her cage next to them for a little while if you can and see how it goes. When I first got two of my girls to be with Charlotte who was on her own Kizzy was the one who fought with her, knowing Kizzy like I do now I almost can't believe it. Kizzy is lovely and is Charlottes best friend now but it was just fear. After they calmed down we tried again and they were fine.
 
Not sure whether millie was the dominant piggy or not. With my group, they all seem to get on ok, petal seemed to be in charge but now it looks like marshmallow may be, tbh they all just seem to get along :)
I can't put the cages next to each other but I have had an idea, I've sectioned off the end of one of the cages so they can touch each other but not cause much harm, it's small but as a temporary measure it may help :). Lots of noise going on at the moment so will have to see how it goes.
 
Give your new girl time to settle in and down first - ideally at least a week or two; piggies can get aggressive and fight when they are stressed out and feel pressured, so give her LOTS of time before trying any intros again!

Keep her next to the group you want to bond her with (I would recommend the larger group) or think whether bonding her with just one submissive, prferably younger girl might be a better way forward. Not all sows work out in any given situation; that is a misconception.

You also need to give all piggies time to recover between intros, or you will just carry the problems and high emotions from one failed intro right into the next one, and it is bound to go haywire. Aggression and tensions travels very quickly through a bonded group and can come down between any of the piggies involved.
 
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