Hazel the bully

Fleur

Fleur

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Hello! I am very concerned about my female piggie, Teddy.
Some backstory, our aunt didn't want Teddy anymore. She didn't want to take Teddy to the shelter and Teddy was in bad shape. So we took her. We already had two other female piggies and the cage seemed big enough, so we thought it would be okay. Socks was fine with Teddy. Hazel seemed scared.
We introduced them in my sisters room and it went well. It went well for awhile. But now I keep hearing Teddys frightened squeaks throughout the day, and I'm scared. I thought maybe they would get over it--maybe it was just a little scuffle. But I was petting teddy and I noticed she was bleeding. Also, a scab on her bum. I don't know what to do. I thought they got along. I don't want to have to send Teddy away again. She doesn't deserve that, shes a sweet pig. But I don't want her to suffer either. I just want to give her a good life since her first owner did not.
Hazel and socks get along fine. They even sleep together.
Please, can anyone give some advice?
I'm worried for Teddy.
I just want her to be happy.
Thank you .
 
How old are they all?
What size is their cage?
How long have they been together? It can take them quite a while to establish hierarchy and scuffles are to be expected but if there has been a fight and blood has been drawn then it may be more serious and they may not be able to live together after all.
 
How large is the cage and what type of cage is it? With a C&c (if this is what you have) you can divide a section for the submissive piggy with some grids and this allows interaction through the bars but protects the health of the piggy (Teddy). Do you have at least 3 of everything (hidey house, water bottle etc..) this gives the pigs their own spaces and allows each pig to for example, drink, without another piggy bullying them away from it, I feel like once you give more details about their set up, people may be able to give you some more catered advice, but usually(as other members have said) if blood is drawn removal of the submissive piggy should go ahead
 
Fleur said:
Hello! I am very concerned about my female piggie, Teddy.
Some backstory, our aunt didn't want Teddy anymore. She didn't want to take Teddy to the shelter and Teddy was in bad shape. So we took her. We already had two other female piggies and the cage seemed big enough, so we thought it would be okay. Socks was fine with Teddy. Hazel seemed scared.
We introduced them in my sisters room and it went well. It went well for awhile. But now I keep hearing Teddys frightened squeaks throughout the day, and I'm scared. I thought maybe they would get over it--maybe it was just a little scuffle. But I was petting teddy and I noticed she was bleeding. Also, a scab on her bum. I don't know what to do. I thought they got along. I don't want to have to send Teddy away again. She doesn't deserve that, shes a sweet pig. But I don't want her to suffer either. I just want to give her a good life since her first owner did not.
Hazel and socks get along fine. They even sleep together.
Please, can anyone give some advice?
I'm worried for Teddy.
I just want her to be happy.
Thank you .
Click to expand...

Hi!

How old are the sows involved and how big is your cage? How long since Teddy has arrived?
Cage Size Guide

Have you had Teddy vet checked for skin parasites (mange mites) and a fungal infection, and quarantined her?
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

Please be aware that bonding takes longer than just a few hours. It takes about 2 weeks after the initial acceptance to work out and established a working hierarchy in any new group. Adding a third piggy to a closely bonded pair can be very tricky, as any newbie is often perceived as an intruder to a cosy twosome.
Please read these guides here very carefully, make sure that you do not have and hideys with just one exit where a piggy can be cornered and be aware that loud squealing can also be submission squealing.

You will have to work out whether the blood comes from a shallow misjudged nip or swipe (which is tolerable), a full on deep bite (end of the line) or whether the blood is caused by skin parasites/fungal.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Sow Behaviour
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
 
Thank you all for responding! I will try and provide as much information as I can.
Hazel and Socks are 3 years old. Teddy is 1 year old.
We have a custom built cage that snaps together and you can rearrange it however you want.
The only reason I haven't made teddy her own space is because:
1. We don't have enough room.
2. I'm out of blocks to hold everything together.
I'm not sure exactly what type of cage it is, I got it for Christmas from my mom so I'd have to ask her.
Each square is about 1 foot, 4 squares on each side and 3 on the top/bottom.
I let them have floor time, but they still fight.
They've been together for about 2 months now. Just a few weeks ago is when this all started happening.
I think it is submission squealing. I haven't seen Teddy ever fight back. She always runs away.
I'm sorry if I missed anything, if there's anymore questions I can answer, I will.
I have to go now or else I would try and provide more information.
Thank you all, and have a nice day.
 
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