Making 2 pairs of ladies plus a neutered boar into a herd

PigglePuggle

PigglePuggle

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I was wondering what everyone thinks is the best way of combining my 2 pairs of ladies and Theo into a herd of 5?
I split my 6x4 playpen into three 2x4 enclosures so everyone could meet through the bars and I think bonding the 2 pairs of ladies first might be a good idea. Everyone likes little boar Theo but they seem to find him a bit irrelevant to herd politics!
And everyone likes giant Jezebel floofy pants because she's bold and friendly but seems to lack any usual dominance behaviours. Piggle and Jezebel (the oddballs from the 2 different lady pairs) sniffed each other, licked each others faces for a while, and decided everything is very chilled. Clover flirted with Theo and Puggle fluffed herself up to try look big and rumble strutted and lunged at Clover... then Piggle chased Puggle and pulled her ears telling her to calm down and Jezebel sat on Clover to calm her down too! Then everyone took a nap, then they all 4 stood at the dividing bars having a very intense and mysterious conversation, then they all settled down to eat hay with their noses just a few inches apart and ignored Theo. Poor little Theo was doing his best willy out rumble strutting stinky smell dance on the roof of the carrot house in his part of tje playpen and Jezebel and Piggle came over and gave him a bit of reassuring chirping but then went back to lady herd politics.
Sorry thats a complete guinea pig soap opera but it was so fascinating to watch!
So I think bond the 2 pairs of girls and add Thro afterwards? Then I can get try get my bonded girls in the new C&C cage...
 
Don't know about fascinating to watch, but it was hilarious to read. I hope the bonding all goes well!
 
Sounds like you are having a very interesting time. I love watching guinea pigs interacting. Have you read the bonding guides (go to Guinea Pig Guides in the top bar), there are lots of hints and tips and herd dynamic's help there.
 
That is so funny - I look forward to episode 2
As @piggieminder said the bonding guides on the forum are really helpful.
When I bonded my 2 pairs of sows I read the guides frequently as the process developed.
They were very reassuring too.
I’m a week and a half into bonding and after a tense few days they have all settled happily.

Looking forward to your bonding saga
 
I've read all the guides and got my oven gloves ready! I'm really worried that Puggle (smallest but most hormonal and temperamental piggy) might spoil things... she's very feisty!
I'm just not sure how much scuffling is normal during a bonding, my original pair Piggle and Puggle play fight quite a lot anyway then always make friends afterwards, but these new older ladies are more sedate and less boisterous...
 
Mine were a pair of older very placid girls.
The new pair a very shy 6 month old and her slightly older mother who was a bit bolder.
It was the 2 middle ones who caused me the most anxiety as mummy pig Priscilla discovered she had ATTITUDE as soon as I decided they were getting on well enough to share the cage (newly extended).
She and Jemimah had some lively discussions about who was top. We had a bit of fur loss but no damage, a couple of tiny scratches and a lot of noise and some tussles.
After a few days this all settled and they look as if they becoming good friends.

Be prepared for your nerves to be tested to the limit!
 
Bonding is so nerve wracking, we all send you cyber support. All my fingers and toes will be crossed for you and your piggies to have a happy ever after together. X
 
Thanks for your support! I'm going to have a few parallel playpen times and maybe a few little lap time meetings then after the new ladies have their vet checks on thursday morning we're going to try get them properly bonded. I'm a bit worried that new fat lady Clover still seems to be limping and hopping a bit with her back left foot... she doesnt seem in any pain but she definitely needs the vet to check it out before she has any full scale chase battles with Puggle!
 
Sounds like they are already doing well already, loving the running commentary!
 
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