Introducing Sows

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Alicia

Alicia

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I havea 5 year old sow who has lived alone for about 6 weeks since the sow that lived with her died. I am picking up her friend tommorow, and I'd like some advise on how to introduce them. Spicy (5 year old sow) can be a bit dominant sometimes. The last time I got a young guinea-pig was when I had a group of 4 sows and there was always one that took the young guinea-pig under her wing until the others accepted her but I'm worried that if Spicy doesn't like her they could fight or Spicy could bully the new one. I've never had a problem with introducing sows before but I've been worrying a bit recently about them not getting on, and I don't know why. I'm getting my new guinea-pig quite early tommorow morning and I don't think I'll have much time to clean out the sows hutch before I collect her but I can do it after I collect her. When I get back and start cleaning them out should I put Spicy and the new guinea-pig in the run together or just keep them seperate until the hutch is clean and put them both in there to be introduced. I've had a look at the Sow behaviour thread, which was really helpful.
 
When you introduce them, introduce them on neatural ground such as in the bath tub. Somewhere where neither guinea pig has been before. If you just put them in the hutch together, your older guinea pig may be a bit defensive as you will be putting a new piggy in to her house xx
 
Ok, thank you. How long should I keep them in the bath together before moving them to a hutch or run? If they are getting on well should I move them to a hutch or run after just a few minutes or quite a long time? If they were getting on well in the bath tub then I move them to the hutch would they still get defensive over the hutch?
 
Once you are satisfied that they are getting on well together, you can move them to the hutch which shouldn't be a problem if you have cleaned it out. I introduced a baby girl to my 2 existing girls on Sunday and they had a good couple of hours in the bath as one of them didn't settle but things soon calmed down. It will depend on how they behave with each other for you to decide on how long to leave them in the bath. Just be prepared to keep checking on them throughout the day.
 
Ok thank you, I'll introduce them tommorow and see how it goes :)
 
I did this a few weeks ago with a 5 year old sow and a 8 week old baby and I had the same worries as you. The first few days were a bit stressful with me watching every move my old girl made but they really settled down well together. I introduced them on my knee and then put them in a play pen together while I changed the bedding in the hutch. They had a few little squabbles but bonded really quickly.

Hope your girls get along x
 
Thank you for all the help. I collected the new girl this morning and cleaned out the hutch she was going to live in with Spicy, and then I introduced them in the run, that went well so I put them in the hutch together, I checked on them 20 minutes later and they were cuddled up together in the hay :) They get on really well, and the new one was eating carrots and lettuce this afternoon and ate all the hay I put in so I think Spicy is happy to share.
 
I am glad that they have found each other so quickly! You must be so chuffed!
 
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