New Piggy Owner and Needing Advice

[luv2care1987]

Good Evening Fellow Piggy Owners!

I have three adorable female piggies and am having some problems with one of them. Millie and Lily were bought together and a week later we bought Nellie. In the beginning, things were going really well with all three piggies. Recently, Millie has been mounting Nellie and has been bullying her more than Lily. Tonight was bad enough that I had to separate Millie from the other two. I followed the tips on the forum and carefully separated them with Millie in a separate cage inside of their big cage so the other two girls can see and smell her. I need some advice as far as what else I can do. I don't want to keep Millie isolated from the group, but I also don't want my other piggies to be bullied. Please help guide me into what I should do. Right now Millie is in piggy time-out. Thanks!

 

[Alex.Guinea]

Good Evening Fellow Piggy Owners!

I have three adorable female piggies and am having some problems with one of them. Millie and Lily were bought together and a week later we bought Nellie. In the beginning, things were going really well with all three piggies. Recently, Millie has been mounting Nellie and has been bullying her more than Lily. Tonight was bad enough that I had to separate Millie from the other two. I followed the tips on the forum and carefully separated them with Millie in a separate cage inside of their big cage so the other two girls can see and smell her. I need some advice as far as what else I can do. I don't want to keep Millie isolated from the group, but I also don't want my other piggies to be bullied. Please help guide me into what I should do. Right now Millie is in piggy time-out. Thanks!

Sounds like display of dominance, I recommend not to stress out the guinea pigs by repeatedly introducing them physically. Guineas need time. And not only that but pairs of three piggies is really rough. Usually one is isolated from the group because of dominance chain. And there’s little the owner can do. U can provide more room, and try to change up the cage once in a while that always makes it so that not one piggie is left out and it changes the dominance chart, but it’s not recommended by me but my close friend. Try not to separate unless they are rolling around the cage and fighting or blood is drawn. Other wise it’s just dominance display. Only seprate when there’s violence not just bullying. As long as that one gets food and water it’s should be fine.

 

[Wiebke]

Good Evening Fellow Piggy Owners!

I have three adorable female piggies and am having some problems with one of them. Millie and Lily were bought together and a week later we bought Nellie. In the beginning, things were going really well with all three piggies. Recently, Millie has been mounting Nellie and has been bullying her more than Lily. Tonight was bad enough that I had to separate Millie from the other two. I followed the tips on the forum and carefully separated them with Millie in a separate cage inside of their big cage so the other two girls can see and smell her. I need some advice as far as what else I can do. I don't want to keep Millie isolated from the group, but I also don't want my other piggies to be bullied. Please help guide me into what I should do. Right now Millie is in piggy time-out. Thanks!

Hi! Please put them back together. Sows can have strong seasons, especially when are the teenagers. That doesn't end in fights and it is usually over in a day or two.
Sow Behaviour
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

 

[luv2care1987]

Sounds like display of dominance, I recommend not to stress out the guinea pigs by repeatedly introducing them physically. Guineas need time. And not only that but pairs of three piggies is really rough. Usually one is isolated from the group because of dominance chain. And there’s little the owner can do. you can provide more room, and try to change up the cage once in a while that always makes it so that not one piggie is left out and it changes the dominance chart, but it’s not recommended by me but my close friend. Try not to separate unless they are rolling around the cage and fighting or blood is drawn. Other wise it’s just dominance display. Only seprate when there’s violence not just bullying. As long as that one gets food and water it’s should be fine.

Thank you Alex! Nellie was only eating after my other two would fall asleep. They are back together as a family and things have seemed to work out for them. Millie has calmed down a lot and Lily is now the one in heat. I was not sure how long their seasons were and how long the dominance behavior would last. All of the advice on here has truly helped me out with them. They love to cuddle under my chin and sleep. Millie belongs to my husband and she loves sleeping on his chest.

 

[luv2care1987]

Hi! Please put them back together. Sows can have strong seasons, especially when are the teenagers. That doesn't end in fights and it is usually over in a day or two.
Sow Behaviour
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

Thanks for this wonderful tip! My girls are back together eating some hay. Lily seems to be in heat and mountain both Millie and Nellie. I did not know how strong nor long their seasons can last. I was getting worried because Nellie would not eat unless my other two were sleeping. Now they are eating together and seem to be happy. I think Millie had a longer season than I expected and wasn't sure what to do. Now I know what to look for with Ms. Lily! Thanks again for the helpful tips! I love this forum.

 

[luv2care1987]

Just wanted to share an update with everyone about my three girls. I took everyone's advice and put Millie (who is in season) back in the cage with Lily and Nellie. Millie has calmed down a lot since last night. My favorite thing about all three of my girls is during feeding time. They hear the bag of timothy hay and start squealing away and popcorning all over the cage! It is so adorable! Tonight's meal consists of timothy hay, fresh grass (which they all enjoy), fresh cut veggies (buried already for a late night snack), and a bowl full of guinea pig pet food from the store. They are so happy and have started to fill out more as the weeks go by. My husband and I enjoy our cuddles and watching them play. Eventually we will be making them a much bigger cage and running area before they get much older. I found a great website that tells me what to feed them and it has really helped me decide on what to give them. I will list the site if anyone is interested to read more about what we can feed our piggies. Below are my most recent pictures of my cavies enjoying their dinner. Lily has now gone to bed while Nellie and Millie are still eating.

Guinea Pig food list

 

[Swissgreys]

I am so pleased to hear it is working out with the three girls now.
And their cage set up and menu both sound great.
Well done for working so hard to make sure they have the best life possible with you.
They are very lucky girls!

 

[ElizaCavies]

Beautiful girls have a beautiful cage! Xx