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mazza198

mazza198

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi
We have just got a Second Guinea pig after the first one being neutered as he was aggressive with other pigs and he is making this noise /movement In the video - the new guinea pig has gone in the hideaway and spice is doing this in the cage . I am worried he isn’t happy . We got the New Guinea at a bonding place where they tested them with each other first.
 
We cannot host video on the forum. You will need to upload to YouTube first and then post a link to it here.

However, my guess is that you are seeing him Rumblestrutting - making a vibrating/rumbling sound and wiggling his bottom.
If so then that is an entirely normal display of dominance and boarly behaviour. It is something he will do his whole life. It does not mean he isn’t happy, in fact it’s the opposite, he will very happy if he has a new girlfriend! It is something he will do to show off to a new companion (and boars do it whether their companion is male or female)

A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours

How long were they together for speed dating at the bonding centre?
Have you put them back on neutral territory now you have them at home? Or have you put them straight into what is his cage?

We advise that piggies who have gone speed dating (so were only together for a short time before coming home) are put back in neutral territory when you get home. There should not be any hides in the bonding pen.
This is because speed dating usually does not give them chance to get through enough of the bonding stages, it only gives them chance to accept each other. They need many more hours to go through the dominance stages of bonding.
Once they have been together for several hours/even overnight at home in neutral territory, then you move them back to the permanent cage and add hides.
Do also be aware that changing environment will cause new rounds of dominance. So even if they were settled at the bonding place, now they’ve come home the dominance starts all over again.

If you have put them straight into the main cage then that is ok given they’re already in there. Dont move them.
Did you thoroughly clean the cage out first so that it doesn’t smell of just spice?

Do be aware that it takes two weeks after bonding day for them to fully finalise the details of their relationship.
If you have only just brought the new piggy home then she will be scared so needs time to settle. Cover part of the cage with a blanket so she can feel more secure but make sure you can still monitor their interactions given they are still very much in early bonding stages

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated Bonding Dynamics and Behaviours
 
thanks . They were together for an hour in the bonding place , they are in the normal cage but I have spring cleaned it before they got in it . We plan to get a bigger cage when we find the right one. Ginger is new female is just under the plastic cover and spice the original pig ( male ) is prowling trying to mount her ! I might take the plastic cover off and add a few more blanket / shelter bits . I just want spice
To be happy.
 
So an hour isn’t long enough for them to have done much more than acceptance.
They should ideally not have any hides in the cage for at least the next few hours.

I’ve watched the video but it only shows one piggy and doesn’t show him Rumblestrutting.
He will be trying to mount her as they establish their bond. A submissive female will allow it to happen but a dominant female won’t unless she is in season

Unfortunately the cage is problematic. That plastic ledge/hide is a one exit hide which should not be used.
I would advise that you remove it. Any single exit hide can cause problems if one piggy traps the other inside

Do be aware that by having to buy a new cage, it will constitute a change in environment and will cause them to have to do another couple of weeks of reestablishing their bond
 
He’s just talking but as Sounds are always based in context and from such a short clip without being able to see the other piggy, it’s very hard to tell much
 
Yes that gives them a bit more space.
Add two hides which both have two exits in a little while

I would just say though that there are far too many pellets available to them. They should only have one tablespoon per pig per day.
It would also be recommended to have two loose hay piles at opposite ends of the cage. Bags or racks aren’t recommended as they cant get into the hay to bury themselves in it, sleep in it and most importantly forage through it properly (playing within a large pile of hay is as much fun as it is food) but also you don’t want to force them to have to share anything. There should always be two of everything when you have a bonded pair
 
Ok thanks ,I’ll take some pellets away and change the straw and see how they go😀
 
In terms of them though, they both look to be very relaxed - looks to be a successful bonding
 
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