How do I introduce new piggies

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Becky_lou

Becky_lou

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Hello every1
Just after a bit of advice really.. I have two sows already, iv had them nearly a year now. Iv been asked to take in two more sows that are no longer wanted for one reason or another.

Where I have no problem taking them in, I have the room, the time and most defiantly the love and affection for them I'm worried about my original two.

It would be horrible to start having problems with them because as I say we've had nothing but happy times and lots of love from them so far.

Does anybody have any advice or think its a bad idea to take them in?
 
I would take in the new sows as long as you have the facilities to keep your two pairs side by side or above each other separately if they don't gel.

It is always better to give new piggies time to acclimatise and settle next to their prospective mates for a few days anyway, as that takes away a lot of extraneous stress factors during the introdcutions proper. Whether they gel, depends completely on the character combination and on how dominant the two top sows are. Generally, it is easier if the new pair is noticeably younger and smaller, so they cannot bid for the top spot.

Here are more tips for introductions: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...FAQ-Introducing-and-reintroducing-guinea-pigs

PS: We would be very grateful if you didn't use textspeak, please.
 
I agree with Wiebke's above post. You could also introduce them in an outdoor run on the grass if you have one of those. It tends to be on neutral ground & most piggies love grass so if there's going to be any fighting it's when they've had their feed & start noticing each other. You could also rub some lavender oil on their backs which has a calming effect.

Good Luck, I've been trying to bond Minnie with my other piggies for 4 months & there's finally light showing at the end of the tunnel.
 
Thank you for the advice :)

I have a two tier hutch and an indoor cage so there's plenty of places for them to go if push comes to shove.
it sounds like I'm just going to have to be patient and keep my fingers crossed.
 
Sometimes it works straightaway, sometimes takes ages & sometimes never. It's more often one of the first 2.
 
Hopefully one of the 1st two :(
It might sound a stupid question but does it matter that there a different breed?
 
Doesn't make a lot of difference, it's down to temperament.
 
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