New rescue - very frightened

Roselina said:
As far as I’m aware they can’t as you go back to stage 1 after each separation
You could have her Nextdoor to Raichu for a while to settle her
I’m sure someone will be along with more expert advice
They are both lovely 🥰
Click to expand...
Thanks, I knew that was the case with two males but wasn't sure with mixed gender. They've both gone asleep under the noodle mat now, so leaving them and see what happens when they wake
 
SpiritoftheForest said:
Good luck with the bonding.

I am a wannabe guinea pig owner and am hoping to have either 1 male and 1 female or 1 male with 2 females, so I shall be watching this with interest.
(male neutered of course)
Click to expand...
I have definitely done things the hard way, two boys broke up their bond, both neutered, 1 with complications. 1 rescue with anger issues (female) successfully bonded her with one boy. Just these two to go 🤞
 
Bonding piggy's is not for the weak! My anxiety is through the roof and I havent eaten eat! All was well so I moved them into a neutral c&c with their bonding bedding and food and water no hides or toys but my other pair are in this room . The new additions upset my bonded pair and I've had to rearrange the room so they cant see eachother!
 
Piggies&buns said:
A mixed gender bonding CAN be stopped if absolutely necessary and in particular during cases of fear aggression. But you don’t really want to stop a bonding unless you absolutely have to

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated Bonding Dynamics and Behaviours
The Herd, the Group and I: Investigating Guinea Pig Identity and Society
Click to expand...
Thanks. They've been together now for around 7 hours. Enclosure is neutral and no hideys but they both keep burrowing under the same noodle mat which has caused abit of friction. Raichu my boar teeth chattered and peach the baby, just squealed abit. Riachu has lived on his own for 5 months now. Peach isnt chattering back at all, hopefully it stays positive but the chattering did concern me.
 
larnanoomia said:
Thanks. They've been together now for around 7 hours. Enclosure is neutral and no hideys but they both keep burrowing under the same noodle mat which has caused abit of friction. Raichu my boar teeth chattered and peach the baby, just squealed abit. Riachu has lived on his own for 5 months now. Peach isnt chattering back at all, hopefully it stays positive but the chattering did concern me.
Click to expand...

Don’t forget that squealing is submission and is the correct response from a submissive piggy
 
We made it through our first night. Both seem happy together. I'm working from home today and they are next to me so I have the full day to watch them and see whats goin on. Only strange thing, riachu my boy, his hair on his head and all down his side is crispy ?! Like its been wet and dried. Would pee spray off peach do this? Or could she have been grooming him loads & its dried like that? He will need a little wipe down when things are more settled
 
larnanoomia said:
We made it through our first night. Both seem happy together. I'm working from home today and they are next to me so I have the full day to watch them and see whats goin on. Only strange thing, riachu my boy, his hair on his head and all down his side is crispy ?! Like its been wet and dried. Would pee spray off peach do this? Or could she have been grooming him loads & its dried like that? He will need a little wipe down when things are more settled
Click to expand...

It's likely over-enthusiastic social grooming/barbering by a newly bonded youngster, who is overjoyed to have found a guardian to take her on and cherish her.

In long-haired older piggies this can result in them turning short-haired over the course of a week. The hair will grow usually grow back.
Barbering (Eating Hair)
 
Wiebke said:
It's likely over-enthusiastic social grooming/barbering by a newly bonded youngster, who is overjoyed to have found a guardian to take her on and cherish her.

In long-haired older piggies this can result in them turning short-haired over the course of a week. The hair will grow usually grow back.
Barbering (Eating Hair)
Click to expand...

PS: The link contains my experience when little 5 weeks old Heini met long-haired Carwyn, including being caught in the very act...
 
Wiebke said:
PS: The link contains my experience when little 5 weeks old Heini met long-haired Carwyn, including being caught in the very act...
Click to expand...
Thank you! I did have a read. He does seem to have a shorter patch of hair. Both been chilled out today but peach tried to take the hay nugget off raichu and he moved her away & she got the hint which is good. Very submissive so far.
 
larnanoomia said:
Thank you! I did have a read. He does seem to have a shorter patch of hair. Both been chilled out today but peach tried to take the hay nugget off raichu and he moved her away & she got the hint which is good. Very submissive so far.
Click to expand...
They are still in the group establishment phase but please stop worrying; this has all the markings of another life-long love affair. :)
 
larnanoomia said:
Thank you! I did have a read. He does seem to have a shorter patch of hair. Both been chilled out today but peach tried to take the hay nugget off raichu and he moved her away & she got the hint which is good. Very submissive so far.
Click to expand...
It’s nerve wracking this bonding ….hang in there ….the signs are good as @Piggies&buns and @Wiebke have said 🥰
 
Thanks, I'm exhausted to be honest. Anytime the new two make any noises like rumbles or squeaks, it sets off my other two (boy &girl) and they've had a few periods of teeth chattering after being happy together for 1 month
 
I ended up moving my bonding duo out into the hall, as the noises were upsetting my already bonded wife/husband of 1 month. Already tensions have settled. New ones are cosy together and the old ones are no longer chattering at eachother wound up
 
larnanoomia said:
Thanks, I'm exhausted to be honest. Anytime the new two make any noises like rumbles or squeaks, it sets off my other two (boy &girl) and they've had a few periods of teeth chattering after being happy together for 1 month
Click to expand...
Babies are just so vocal and squeak away so you have to get used to that. They won't come to any harm because they are far too agile. It's all drama.
 
PS: Things are going to calm down to some extent within a couple of days once they have settled together; then there will be another soap opera when they share their first season but you have to get used to the fact that for babies everything is exciting new and they are wired to be vocal so the group can keep an ear out for them in the undergrowth where they are not necessarily within sight all the time but they giving a vocal update unless they are sleeping. It's a mix of locator and ongoing status report...

Your other pair will get used to her presence.
 
Wiebke said:
PS: Things are going to calm down to some extent within a couple of days once they have settled together; then there will be another soap opera when they share their first season but you have to get used to the fact that for babies everything is exciting new and they are wired to be vocal so the group can keep an ear out for them in the undergrowth where they are not necessarily within sight all the time but they giving a vocal update unless they are sleeping. It's a mix of locator and ongoing status report...

Your other pair will get used to her presence.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for the help and support
 
PS: Get used to 'husboars' expressing themselves in rumbling and rumble-strutting. In the presence of sows this is wooing/showing off behaviour ('look what a strapping lad I am') and totally harmless. Sows are rather vocal around boars; which is good to hear. They have special squeaking to tell boars to stay off but a typical whine when they are coming into season; a kind of 'stay off I am not ready - yet'. Pheromone-fugged boys usually only hear the word ready, so it can get a bit lively; but there won't be any fights, just the sows protecting their bum ends until they are ready to mate at the very end of a season.
If the boy is not getting the message, then some target pees will do. That is why the cavy equivalent to a wedding ring is generally a yellow nose. :D

But it is also good to see that your little lady has some spunk and can stand up to him if she needs to; even if it is only mild behaviour. Your piggies are now at the stage where they have to work out the shape of their relationship between them - dominance is actually not just about how far the top piggy can push the under-piggy but also how far the under-piggy is allowing themselves to be pushed. It is a fine dance but please do not worry about fights; they are deep into hammering out the small print of their marriage contract.

When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
 
Wiebke said:
PS: Get used to 'husboars' expressing themselves in rumbling and rumble-strutting. In the presence of sows this is wooing/showing off behaviour ('look what a strapping lad I am') and totally harmless. Sows are rather vocal around boars; which is good to hear. They have special squeaking to tell boars to stay off but a typical whine when they are coming into season; a kind of 'stay off I am not ready - yet'. Pheromone-fugged boys usually only hear the word ready, so it can get a bit lively; but there won't be any fights, just the sows protecting their bum ends until they are ready to mate at the very end of a season.
If the boy is not getting the message, then some target pees will do. That is why the cavy equivalent to a wedding ring is generally a yellow nose. :D

But it is also good to see that your little lady has some spunk and can stand up to him if she needs to; even if it is only mild behaviour. Your piggies are now at the stage where they have to work out the shape of their relationship between them - dominance is actually not just about how far the top piggy can push the under-piggy but also how far the under-piggy is allowing themselves to be pushed. It is a fine dance but please do not worry about fights; they are deep into hammering out the small print of their marriage contract.

When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Click to expand...
@Wiebke I can’t see the videos in the link - I did see them originally, but it was a long time ago.
 
Wiebke said:
PS: Get used to 'husboars' expressing themselves in rumbling and rumble-strutting. In the presence of sows this is wooing/showing off behaviour ('look what a strapping lad I am') and totally harmless. Sows are rather vocal around boars; which is good to hear. They have special squeaking to tell boars to stay off but a typical whine when they are coming into season; a kind of 'stay off I am not ready - yet'. Pheromone-fugged boys usually only hear the word ready, so it can get a bit lively; but there won't be any fights, just the sows protecting their bum ends until they are ready to mate at the very end of a season.
If the boy is not getting the message, then some target pees will do. That is why the cavy equivalent to a wedding ring is generally a yellow nose. :D

But it is also good to see that your little lady has some spunk and can stand up to him if she needs to; even if it is only mild behaviour. Your piggies are now at the stage where they have to work out the shape of their relationship between them - dominance is actually not just about how far the top piggy can push the under-piggy but also how far the under-piggy is allowing themselves to be pushed. It is a fine dance but please do not worry about fights; they are deep into hammering out the small print of their marriage contract.

When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Click to expand...
Thank you! Both couples seem happy today and both the girls are definitely sassy and can hold their own!
 
Janey said:
@Wiebke I can’t see the videos in the link - I did see them originally, but it was a long time ago.
Click to expand...
Can't access that account anymore and the videos are a very old format now, so I will have to think about it.
 
If anyone wants an update on these little guys their bonding was so smooth after the first day. Peach is obsessed with Raichu and he has been popcorning like mad, and heard him wheek last night after him not wheeking at all for months and months.
 

Attachments

  • 20260203_200422.webp
    20260203_200422.webp
    139.6 KB · Views: 2
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top