Introducing new Guinea Pigs with a big size/age difference?

[thepighouse]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice on introducing a some new Guinea pigs to one of my current pigs.

Ive had 2 pigs for awhile now but they do not get along and can only be together when supervised because the smaller one normally hurts the larger one. Two emergency vet trips have been required because of injuries and the smaller one has no desire to be around any other guinea pigs even though they were cagemates for the first month I had them. They had to be separated at night but get supervised time together in their run most days if the little one isn't too grumpy. While my larger one is very social and I wanted to get her a buddy that didn't dislike her. So I recently got two more pigs, skinny pigs this time and was hoping on introducing one or both of them to my current large piggy. The hope is all three get along but if not then I guess run time rotates on who tolerates who and everyone has a buddy. Except grumpy pig. Grumpy pig does not want a buddy. Grumpy pig tolerates her former cage mate for a few hours a day lol.

My concern is with the size difference. The large pig is almost topping 1300grams now, and is about 7months (chunky little pig), and my new pigs are both under 230grams and from what I can tell are probably around 6weeks maybe. They are tiny and a lot younger than I was told they would be and one was actually ill when I got them, but thats a whole different rant about chain pet stores lol.

The larger pig and my smallest new pig (1300grams vs 212grams. quite the gap lol) have met briefly on the table as I was doing their weigh in and they seemed to get along pretty great, the larger pig immediately started trying to groom the young pig and they sat together grooming each other the entire time (which was adorable) but I'm concerned to let them in the run together.

I've introduced guinea pigs before but they've always been of the same age/size. never with this large of a age/size gap, and all have been furred pigs, never hairless and I don't know if that would affect anything and I was wondering if there was any tips or advice anyone had?

And as a side note, if anyone has advice on the grumpy pigs situation and maybe a safe way to try and introduce one of the new pigs to her or if she's better off with just some supervised time with her former cage mate, that would be helpful well.

Thanks in advance!

Pigs pictured are the two that met. Meadow, the furred pig, and Alfalfa, the naked pig.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice on introducing a some new Guinea pigs to one of my current pigs.

Ive had 2 pigs for awhile now but they do not get along and can only be together when supervised because the smaller one normally hurts the larger one. Two emergency vet trips have been required because of injuries and the smaller one has no desire to be around any other guinea pigs even though they were cagemates for the first month I had them. They had to be separated at night but get supervised time together in their run most days if the little one isn't too grumpy. While my larger one is very social and I wanted to get her a buddy that didn't dislike her. So I recently got two more pigs, skinny pigs this time and was hoping on introducing one or both of them to my current large piggy. The hope is all three get along but if not then I guess run time rotates on who tolerates who and everyone has a buddy. Except grumpy pig. Grumpy pig does not want a buddy. Grumpy pig tolerates her former cage mate for a few hours a day lol.

My concern is with the size difference. The large pig is almost topping 1300grams now, and is about 7months (chunky little pig), and my new pigs are both under 230grams and from what I can tell are probably around 6weeks maybe. They are tiny and a lot younger than I was told they would be and one was actually ill when I got them, but thats a whole different rant about chain pet stores lol.

The larger pig and my smallest new pig (1300grams vs 212grams. quite the gap lol) have met briefly on the table as I was doing their weigh in and they seemed to get along pretty great, the larger pig immediately started trying to groom the young pig and they sat together grooming each other the entire time (which was adorable) but I'm concerned to let them in the run together.

I've introduced guinea pigs before but they've always been of the same age/size. never with this large of a age/size gap and I was wondering if there was any tips or advice anyone had?

And as a side note, if anyone has advice on the grumpy pigs situation and maybe a safe way to try and introduce one of the new pigs to her or if she's better off with just some supervised time with her former cage mate, that would be helpful well.

Thanks in advance!

Pigs pictured are the two that met. Meadow, the furred pig, and Alfalfa, the naked pig.

Hi and welcome!

Please take the time to carefully read our illustrated bonding guide which also features some videos and pictures of key behaviours.
It takes you through all the bonding stages with the attendant behaviours and dynamics, including baby bonding and the dynamics of a group bonding where the hierarchy is not in question. You will hopefully find it very helpful, as it will hopefully enable you to understand what is going on and know exactly what to look out for at every stage.
The guide also features bonding vidoes of a fully grown adult boar once with two 3 weeks old boys and once with a tiny baby girl. Both bondings went without problems. The babies are simply to fast and agile as long as you provideenough space for them and follow tips in the guide.
Here is the link: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

PS: Mutual liking is much more important than age. The biggest age gap I have ever bonded was a 5 weeks old baby girl with a nearly 3 year old neutered boar and a 7 1/2 year old sow.
9 months on, they are still very happily bonded and are getting on really well! Little Carys has given now 8 years old Ffwlbri a new zest for life.

During the bonding - snuggled up on the lawn this spring


All the best!

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
I would suggest that you read through the forum guide on bonding.
Sorry I can’t link it for you as I lack the tech skills.

It’s an excellent guide and hopefully will be of help.
I found it a sanity saver last year when I bonded 2 pairs.

Please can we see pictures

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi! Can I just say those piggies in that picture are gorgeous!!

I also advise reading those guides but I just want to give you a little bit of confidence! I wouldn't worry so much about the age/size difference. In fact bonding a younger pig to an older pig is a better option because the older one is likely less hormonal so less chance for squabbles.

My first boy Mo, was two years old and had lived alone for a year when I bought home six week old Steve (tiny I tell you!). And the bonding went perfectly!! If I can I'll try find you the thread.

In terms of grumpy pig, some pigs do just enjoy being solitary but I like to think there's a piggy for everyone so you could always try one of the younger ones with her.

Pictures hopefully show you the huge size difference between these two. Steve is not that small anymore lol.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

1 To 2

 

[Freela]

Definitely look over the bonding guides, and make sure that when you do introduce pigs, you do it once, let them work through the dominance, and then let them settle together. Doing 'playdates' doesn't work for pigs, as they will not realize that this new pig is a guest and will start sorting out the hierarchy from the top each time they meet one another. It doesn't allow them to form a bond, just makes them constantly have to meet and attempt to measure their status with a 'new' pig all the time.

From my own pigs, I can vouch that size and age is not a huge factor, personality is much more a factor. I have twice introduced baby pigs to adults and had it go fine both times... one time the baby pig got put in her place and remains the 'underpiggie' in the current pair, but once baby pig actually came out the dominant pig when being matched with a very submissive adult who had no desire to be the boss at all.

Here's some pics to illustrate the size difference:

Big Sundae and little Hadley (Hadley was the boss even here!)


And big Hadley and little Leela (the size difference is even greater here, since Leela was really young and even as an adult is on the small side!)