Oliver - Please Can I Have More?

Janice C

Janice C

Adult Guinea Pig
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IMG_0377.webp I have already mentioned on the forum that Oliver visits the babies daily. He was bonded a few weeks ago with my 2 choc Agoutis who are older and quite lazy. Then along came the babies ( I hasten to add, not his!) He goes straight in to their area then two of them immediately follow him out to the garden and go everywhere with him! Yesterday when I was sitting enjoying them all I noticed Oliver using his nose to push first one little one then the other while heading to his own area! He then went into the nest area, they went into the nest while he lay across the front! Was he actually trying to keep them with him? I'm in two minds whether to just allow him to do this and leave them with him.
 
It looks like he wants them with him - why not let him and see what comes off it?

Some boars make devoted nurses. My Bedo is still living his triplet wives he's looked after since they were 8 weeks old, and they are still very attached to him. It was love on first sniff between 3 year old Carwyn and 5 weeks old Heini - she taught the ex-neglect breeder boar how to popcorn and run, and these days she efficiently runs the group while Carwyn thinks he is in charge...
 
Wiebke said:
It looks like he wants them with him - why not let him and see what comes off it?

Some boars make devoted nurses. My Bedo is still living his triplet wives he's looked after since they were 8 weeks old, and they are still very attached to him. It was love on first sniff between 3 year old Carwyn and 5 weeks old Heini - she taught the ex-neglect breeder boar how to popcorn and run, and these days she efficiently runs the group while Carwyn thinks he is in charge...
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Should I just open the partition between them? I don't think the Agoutis will make a fuss but will it change when the youngsters mature? I suppose though there's plenty of room so babies can nip back to their little beds if they become worried! Little Gracie seems to prefer her own company rather than the others anyway.
 
Janice C said:
Should I just open the partition between them? I don't think the Agoutis will make a fuss but will it change when the youngsters mature? I suppose though there's plenty of room so babies can nip back to their little beds if they become worried! Little Gracie seems to prefer her own company rather than the others anyway.
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I would just see how they get on. Dominance can be a bit emphatic as the older girls make sure that they are boss, but it is generally short. The babies will just go to the bottom. They will take over when their time has come, but more likely only once Oliver is stepping down.
The bonding guide dicusses a scenario with introducing a youngster to a group. Forming groups with young piggies usually works because the older sows gain in status as leaders of a group instead of a pair.
However, I would recommend to do the intros on neutral ground so your older sows don't feel invaded, which can prompt a harsh reaction.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
 
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