How To Know When Bonding Has Succeeded?

[Shannon R]

Hi guys,

Currently in the process of introduction my Marbles(boy) to a new 5 month old boy.

There is A LOT of humping going on? How do I know when enough is enough? and how do I know when to put them in their cage from the neutral area?

Any advice welcomed

 

[Shannon R]

@Wiebke any advice on this humping thing? Will they ever stop/nap? haha

 

[Shannon R]

Finally! A nap! They must be tired after all that humping.

Don't mind the mess

 

[Julie M]

Generally after they’ve had a nap together and woken up and realised they’re not alone if they’re still getting along it’s a good sign.

 

[Shannon R]

Thanks Julie! What about this humping? is that ok?

 

[Shannon R]

Generally after they’ve had a nap together and woken up and realised they’re not alone if they’re still getting along it’s a good sign.

Thanks Julie! What about this humping? is that ok?

 

[Julie M]

Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides

Hope this link has worked.

 

[Julie M]

Thanks Julie! What about this humping? is that ok?

Yes it’s pretty much part of bonding. And then normal boar behaviour. It only becomes a problem if it’s constant and stopping the other piggie eating and drinking etc.

 

[Shannon R]

I have them in their cage now. Not as much humping but still lots of chatter and some rumble strutting

 

[Wiebke]

I have them in their cage now. Not as much humping but still lots of chatter and some rumble strutting

Boars mostly bond through humping. It can get pretty wild, but it is OK as long as both boys are accepting of it.

 

[Shannon R]

Boars mostly bond through humping. It can get pretty wild, but it is OK as long as both boys are accepting of it.

This is going 100% better than the last time with Beanie. But I still don't know if this is okay, I have read your links but could you let me know what you think. They spent about an hour napping side by side. Have a huge cage and two of everything including two tents. Just so much talking going on.

 

[Shannon R]

I see some popcorns amongst the chatter!

 

[Wiebke]

I see some popcorns amongst the chatter!

It sounds and looks good to me! The constant chatter means that they are still a bit apprehensive, but there is no sign of hostility and only mild dominance, just a bit of throwing one's weight around. In fact, the piggy washing next to a new companion means that the little one really wants to be friends with your bigger boy. Young guinea pigs are always so dramatic and vocal!

 

[Shannon R]

It sounds and looks good to me! The constant chatter means that they are still a bit apprehensive, but there is no sign of hostility and only mild dominance, just a bit of throwing one's weight around. In fact, the piggy washing next to a new companion means that the little one really wants to be friends with your bigger boy. Young guinea pigs are always so dramatic and vocal!

Thanks @Wiebke, this makes me feel much better. They are currently napping together again and the little guy is pop corning like crazy. Hopefully things continue to go well. I will expect some bumps in the road even if they do due to the teenage hormones. When would do you think it would be okay to put Beanie next to them again? (separated by bars)

 

[Julie M]

Thanks @Wiebke, this makes me feel much better. They are currently napping together again and the little guy is pop corning like crazy. Hopefully things continue to go well. I will expect some bumps in the road even if they do due to the teenage hormones. When would do you think it would be okay to put Beanie next to them again? (separated by bars)

Who’s Beanie?

 

[Betsy]

Who’s Beanie?

I was wondering that too @Julie M

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Beanie is her third piggy who did not get along with the elder pig in the new pairing. He normally resides next to him in a separate cage and she wants to know whether he can go back to living next to them now

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Finally! A nap! They must be tired after all that humping.

Don't mind the mess

View attachment 75185

Love this picture! Haha yep definitely tured themselves out!

Your two definitely make a noise don't they?! Lol! As said above the usual bonding things you should expect to see are: mounting, chasing, nipping, maybe some head raising, rumbling and of course noise- AND LOTS OF IT! The fact they have lied down next to each other is a great sign!

 

[Julie M]

Beanie is her third piggy who did not get along with the elder pig in the new pairing. He normally resides next to him in a separate cage and she wants to know whether he can go back to living next to them now

Aww right. I was worried Incase Beanie was a female. As that may cause a problem. But since Beanie is a boy it shouldn’t matter.

 

[Shannon R]

Who’s Beanie?

Sorry I have another post "introducing a new baby guinea" where I talk about Beanie, forgot this was a new thread. He is a male pig who rather enjoys being next to Marbles(black pig) but did not do well at all when together. But bit worried with all this chatter going on about putting him next to him again as its the same cage just separate by bars.

 

[Shannon R]

Love this picture! Haha yep definitely tured themselves out!

Your two definitely make a noise don't they?! Lol! As said above the usual bonding things you should expect to see are: mounting, chasing, nipping, maybe some head raising, rumbling and of course noise- AND LOTS OF IT! The fact they have lied down next to each other is a great sign!

Okay good to hear. They had a good night together...I may have downloaded a baby monitor app so that I could hear them and come interrupt if needed lol! They are back at it this morning though with the rumbles and occasional teeth chattering. Hopefully they sort it out!

 

[Shannon R]

Who’s Beanie?

Beanie is the guy on the right This is how I had them before the new pig came.

 

[Shannon R]

The pigs have generally been doing well, lots of rumbles and occasion teeth chatter. However at least once a day the little guy lunges at the bigger pig. Is this normal? Its so scary to see No blood or anything I think he is mostly just lunging at him, not biting. They have such good times were they are just napping and eating next to each other then they get into fits. This is day 2 post intro

 

[Jesse's pigs]

The pigs have generally been doing well, lots of rumbles and occasion teeth chatter. However at least once a day the little guy lunges at the bigger pig. Is this normal? Its so scary to see No blood or anything I think he is mostly just lunging at him, not biting. They have such good times were they are just napping and eating next to each other then they get into fits. This is day 2 post intro

The lunging is most likely the little guy saying "alright I've had enough now- leave it." My boys occasionally do this if one is getting a bit too in the others face. It is scary to see especially if it's a close call- mine like to aim for eyes! But no blood and it's not constant.

 

[Shannon R]

When you want to be close, but not too close! hahaha, the little guy is so cute! Like a tiny brown Marbles. Still a lot of rumbles today and some teeth chatter. No lunges that I saw but haven't been home all day. Here is to hoping things continue in the right direction. Still not sure when to put Beanie(lone pig) into his cage next to them. I don't want to confuse the little guy. Any thoughts? I feel bad for Beanie as he is used to being next to Marbles and enjoys the company through the bars