Flamestriker
Adult Guinea Pig
Hello all
I am aware that bonding a new piggie to an established herd can be nerve wracking. I have read the dominant behaviours, introducing and reintroducing pigs, sow behaviour and the other threads. But I am a bit unsure.
I bought a 3 month sow to go with my current two girlies. They were put in to neutral territory with a huge pile of hay and I watched them for over 4 hours. There was no challenge for leadership. The baby was chased and there were lots of submissive squealing, and I was ready with a towel and oven mitt.
There were periods of calm, munching hay, and chasing. Several times I saw Smudge cuddling next to the baby. Then there would be squealing and a chase. Then back to munching hay. Poppy doesn't seem at all bothered.
I cleaned the 5x2 cage and put in new tunnels and toys. No snuggle pouches, only cuddle cups. Nothing has one exit. Everything has two exits. There are three water bottles, two hay racks, two cuddle cups, a fleece tunnel and two chubs. The baby was chased initially, and is currently hiding in a pile of hay. She squeals whenever any pig goes near. She is chased when she emerges, and is followed by Smudge, the dominant leader. The baby has no bite marks, and there is no blood. I am aware that her squealing is submissive.
The question is, should I put them back in the bonding pen? The cage is bigger, as it's a 5x2 grid C&C, and the pen a 120cm octagonal pen from Zooplus.
I am aware that bonding a new piggie to an established herd can be nerve wracking. I have read the dominant behaviours, introducing and reintroducing pigs, sow behaviour and the other threads. But I am a bit unsure.
I bought a 3 month sow to go with my current two girlies. They were put in to neutral territory with a huge pile of hay and I watched them for over 4 hours. There was no challenge for leadership. The baby was chased and there were lots of submissive squealing, and I was ready with a towel and oven mitt.
There were periods of calm, munching hay, and chasing. Several times I saw Smudge cuddling next to the baby. Then there would be squealing and a chase. Then back to munching hay. Poppy doesn't seem at all bothered.
I cleaned the 5x2 cage and put in new tunnels and toys. No snuggle pouches, only cuddle cups. Nothing has one exit. Everything has two exits. There are three water bottles, two hay racks, two cuddle cups, a fleece tunnel and two chubs. The baby was chased initially, and is currently hiding in a pile of hay. She squeals whenever any pig goes near. She is chased when she emerges, and is followed by Smudge, the dominant leader. The baby has no bite marks, and there is no blood. I am aware that her squealing is submissive.
The question is, should I put them back in the bonding pen? The cage is bigger, as it's a 5x2 grid C&C, and the pen a 120cm octagonal pen from Zooplus.
