New Piggy!

[Ernie&Edward]

Hello, I wanted to introduce you to my new guinea pig, Edward! *there is an image below*

I need some advice, I already have one piggy, he is called Ernie, and he is about 6 months old. I have only got Edward today, so he is definitely much younger than Ernie. I am slightly worried that because Edward is much younger and a bit more acive, he will fight Ernie, or because Ernie is older he will want to fight Edward because he's younger?

The lady at the shop told me that females are a lot more aggresive, but still could they fight?

From what I can see, they seem to be getting on quite well, but I will be gone for the whole day tomorrow, so I am scared that if they do fight, I won't be there to separate them?

Please reply ASAP, and thanks for any advice given!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! The age difference will give the bonding a better chance, considering that Ernie is at the most difficult age for a boar, right in the middle of the teenage hormones. It all hinges on whether your two boys are character compatible and that you do not have two dominant boys, which is more likely to lead to problems when little Edward is hitting it own big hormones. it would be good if you created a place with two opposite exits for Edward that Ernie can't get into, in case the humping gets a bit too much for your little boy.

Boars are much more likely to have bloody fights, especially during the teenage months between 4-14 months old when they have huge hormonal spikes. Sows are generally better at grudge matches and hidden bullying, as they are wired to live in a group, so open fights are rare; they generally only happen if traumatised breeder sows are forced together and ripped apart willy nilly in very confined spaces. However, some boars can be very laid back and gentle and some sows can be proper handbags, especially as they get older. it is difficult to generalise with guinea pigs.

Both genders have generally a very good idea who they want to get on with and who not, and there is a very clear bonding protocol that piggies instinctively understand.

You may find these threads here helpful and interesting:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-re-introducing-guinea-pigs.38562/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/biological-facts-and-guinea-pig-society.109062/

 

[Ernie&Edward]

Hi! The age difference will give the bonding a better chance, considering that Ernie is at the most difficult age for a boar, right in the middle of the teenage hormones. It all hinges on whether your two boys are character compatible and that you do not have two dominant boys, which is more likely to lead to problems when little Edward is hitting it own big hormones. it would be good if you created a place with two opposite exits for Edward that Ernie can't get into, in case the humping gets a bit too much for your little boy.

Boars are much more likely to have bloody fights, especially during the teenage months between 4-14 months old when they have huge hormonal spikes. Sows are generally better at grudge matches and hidden bullying, as they are wired to live in a group, so open fights are rare; they generally only happen if traumatised breeder sows are forced together and ripped apart willy nilly in very confined spaces. However, some boars can be very laid back and gentle and some sows can be proper handbags, especially as they get older. it is difficult to generalise with guinea pigs.

Both genders have generally a very good idea who they want to get on with and who not, and there is a very clear bonding protocol that piggies instinctively understand.

You may find these threads here helpful and interesting:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-re-introducing-guinea-pigs.38562/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/biological-facts-and-guinea-pig-society.109062/

Thank you, I will definitely check out the links