Help with bonding baby guinea pigs with and older guinea pig

[lialooszoo]

Hello I was looking for some advise. I lost my guinea pig Bibble to cancer 2 days ago & sadly Bibble has left behind his brother Bumble. They were best friends and inseparable, they adored each other. Sadly Bumble suffered from a stroke that left him blind 2 years ago and had relied on Bibble ever since. Me and my family were advised to adopt a baby guinea pig for Bumble as she thought this would be the best thing for Bumble moving forward. We picked up a 9 week old baby boy but also fell in love with his brother (same litter) we couldn’t leave him behind so we brought both of them home. I have had them separated and have just started to introduce them on neutral ground.

However, today was their first introduction and I’m not sure if it went well. I made sure they all had their own hidey houses and food bowls etc. I understand fully that they will bicker amongst themselves to find out who the dominant guinea pig is but I don’t know when enough is enough and when to call it quits. At first they were getting on great, sharing food, smelling each other, following each other but then out of no where bumble went ape and started chasing, mounting, nipping, grinding his teeth, rumble strutting the lot! It was so horrible to see they’re only babies. I didn’t intervene because I know I’m not supposed too but it looked graphic most of the time. I know that this is normal behaviour though but I am curious as to how long this behaviour will last. All the babies were doing were making submission noises to Bumble the entire time. The babies have accepted Bumble as the dominant guinea pig but Bumble continues to chase, mount, and nip. Are we on the right track here? Is it safe to continue if Bumble is nipping. He wouldn’t even let them eat food. If they tried to eat Bumble would nip them and mount them. The Babies squeak constantly, I’m worried because I don’t want them traumatised and even worse hurt. They’re so much smaller than Bumble so it is worrying. How long does it usually take for guinea pigs to adjust to one another? Even though the babies have submitted to Bumble, Bumble is not convinced. Will he ever realize he is officially the dominant guinea pig? Should I carry on trying to bond them or should I call it quits? Any answers and advice would be appreciated. I just want them to be happy. It’s hard to watch the babies be frightened.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss.

Sadly, you are trying to bond three boars this will not work as they have real trouble forming a hierarchy as A trio. Boars need to be kept in pairs only as three together has a high chance of failure Either immediately or when the babies hit their teens at 16 weeks onwards.

You are better off now to leave the two babies together as a pair and leave Bumble in a cage on his own but as a neighbour to the young pair only. Never having physical interaction.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry to say but they’re not likely to make it through their teens as a trio. Boar trios more often fail than survive, especially when you have young ones who haven’t/are going through their teens.

Humping and chasing is normal and their squeaking in submission is a good sign. When you say he wouldn’t let them eat, was that at all? That’s not really a good sign. You also have to bear in mind that it would take two weeks for them to settle the hierarchy.

The other thing is given they came as a pair I think you can quarantine them for two weeks. I don’t know that I would try them again. Maybe consider having them as his neighbour and finding him a friend once rescues have opened up? If you would be okay with four piggies.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[lialooszoo]

I’m sorry for your loss.

Sadly, you are trying to bond three boars this will not work as they have real trouble forming a hierarchy as A trio. Boars need to be kept in pairs only as three together has a high chance of failure Either immediately or when the babies hit their teens at 16 weeks onwards.

You are better off now to leave the two babies together as a pair and leave Bumble in a cage on his own but as a neighbour to the young pair only. Never having physical interaction.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

Thank you for your advise! Very upsetting to hear it won’t work. I feel quite let down as I wasn’t informed that 3 guinea pigs weren’t an option. It’s a shame Bumble will be alone, the whole point of bringing the babies home were to be his new companions

 

[lialooszoo]

I’m sorry to say but they’re not likely to make it through their teens as a trio. Boar trios more often fail than survive, especially when you have young ones who haven’t/are going through their teens.

Humping and chasing is normal and their squeaking in submission is a good sign. When you say he wouldn’t let them eat, was that at all? That’s not really a good sign. You also have to bear in mind that it would take two weeks for them to settle the hierarchy.

The other thing is given they came as a pair I think you can quarantine them for two weeks. I don’t know that I would try them again. Maybe consider having them as his neighbour and finding him a friend once rescues have opened up? If you would be okay with four piggies.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Thank you for your advise this is very upsetting to hear as I only wanted to make Bumble happier. And yes Bumble wouldn’t let them eat. At the beginning Bumble we’re letting them both eat next to him but out of no where Bumble went ape and started chasing nipping and mounting them.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m afraid (some) breeders and pet shops aren’t as versed on the machinations of piggy bondings so are unlikely to tell you that it wouldn’t work. I’m sorry you find yourself in this predicament. You may find Bumble is just fine living with neighbours. It’s not the ideal but it is the next best thing.

 

[lialooszoo]

I’m afraid (some) breeders and pet shops aren’t as versed on the machinations of piggy bondings so are unlikely to tell you that it wouldn’t work. I’m sorry you find yourself in this predicament. You may find Bumble is just fine living with neighbours. It’s not the ideal but it is the next best thing.

You’re right, thank you so much for your advise