Not Sleeping Together

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KatyKitchen

KatyKitchen

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My two girls don't see to be sleeping together. Elsa seems to sleep in the sleeping compartment on her own while Ebony sleeps in the main section. They are only 8 weeks old and we got them on Friday from the same litter. Is this normal? Elsa seems to be the boss at the moment.
ElsaIMG_1217.webp
EbonyIMG_1211.webp
 
Although guinea pigs are social animals - they like their own space too.
I have read on other threads forum members recommending one of everything . Have you got the option of providing 2 sleeping places? (an igloo "pigloo" or something will do).
I have a trio - a neutered boar and 2 sows. I have several hideys in my set up and quite often see one guinea pig in each. They swap around so I am happy that no one guinea pig is commandeering the best spot !
You have 2 beautiful girls.
 
Not sleeping together is not a sign that they are not becoming friends! Right now, your little girls are in the dominance phase where chucking out of a prime hidey or food bowl is par for the course.

Please provide two hideys and bowls, especially until they have sorted out the hierarchy. All my piggies that are living in groups have the choice between a big dormitory or individual hideys. They tend to switch between spending part of the night together and part alone.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/
 
OK thank you for the tips. The hutch is a two storey one and so far we have kept the bottom closed off just while they were settling in. We are going to open up the bottom one to them this weekend which will give them more room to spread out and more space to put in 2 sleeping pods of some sort. They seem okay with the food bowl, they seem to argue more over hay so I am putting it in two places which has helped. I am just hoping they can negotiate the ramp ok as some people have said Guineas don't always like ramps.
 
KatyKitchen said:
OK thank you for the tips. The hutch is a two storey one and so far we have kept the bottom closed off just while they were settling in. We are going to open up the bottom one to them this weekend which will give them more room to spread out and more space to put in 2 sleeping pods of some sort. They seem okay with the food bowl, they seem to argue more over hay so I am putting it in two places which has helped. I am just hoping they can negotiate the ramp ok as some people have said Guineas don't always like ramps.
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Ramps are often too steep for piggies :( I suggest you use a tunnel to cover over the ramp so it is safer when they go up & down. Don't be surprised if they don't use the ramp though, they are not really natural climbers. I think you are best off putting them in the bottom half to start with & then they have a choice as to whether they climb up. They can easily fall down the hole where the ramp starts & hurt themselves :( Something like this : http://www.cosycavies.co.uk/products/tunnels/
 
I wondered about them falling. A tunnel is a good idea, I'll try that. If not I'll just put them in the bottom for a run around sometime for a change of scene for them.

I've just found some tunnels on Ebay that other members have recommended. I'll get the kids to choose a colour then order one. :D
 
My two boars often sleep side by side which is cute but other times they don't. I guess they need their own space sometimes too so I wouldn't worry about what you described. They are beautiful little pups!
 
They have both negotiated the ramp with ease but I have ordered a tunnel anyway! They have also really enjoyed being in their big new run. They've not been outside yet but seem much more settled after being able to have a good run around. Both popcorning lots, much to my kids amusement! Thanks for all the great advice everyone :roll:
 
In their early days mine rarely slept together. Now they're over 3 years old I often find 2 in the same bed.

Nearly forgot to say, you've got 2 lovely piggies.
 
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