Help! How soon do I introduce a new baby to my existing Guinea Pigs?

[PRATTE]

New on here. We have 3 guinea pigs who are about 9 months old now. We have had to seperate one from the other two as they didn't get on. They each have a hutch indoors and there is a run indoors which they take turns to use [one in a pair and one alone].
On Saturday we bought a 4th who is 6 weeks old, hoping he will become a friend for the one who is currently alone.
Online we read that we need to quarantine the newbie for 2 weeks and then introduce in a neutral place.
However the shop where we purchased said there is no need for any quarantine and to introduce asap since baby was in with larger piggies in the shop. Does anyone on here have any advice please? Newbie is currently in seperate cage, bit timid so far, eating well though! The guinea pig was born in the shop [ pregnant sow was given to them], so it's brothers are also in the shop, still for sale. Would I be better introuding 2 new babies to my existing guinea pigs [I feel sorry for the little one!] or doesn't it make much difference? We have two big runs for the garden and a big double hutch outside but I haven't had them outside since October. Thank you.

 

[Sarah from Chucklebunnies]

Are they both boars? The new little one and the lonely one?

You normally quarantine to make sure there are no infections the newest piggy will transfer to your other piggies. It's a good idea.

If you can put the cages close together so that the new little one can interact with the older lonely one then that can help with bonding.

I'm afraid I don't know about boars though. I'm sure someone will be along to help you soon.

 

[Connie]

Boars live best in pairs, so you have done the right thing only getting one baby.

The pet shops are bound to say that about quarantine (as they will ofcourse not admitt that their piggies could be ill in any way) But it is DEFINATLY best to quarantine!

After quarantine you can introduce in a neuteral area (if you have a look out or sticky threads at the top of the behaviour section you can learn more about introducing two piggies )

 

[daftscotslass]

If it was bought from a shop then quarantine is even more important. Not just in different cages but in a different room. Your best bet when you know everything is OK is to have two pairs if they're all boys.