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Togepi

Togepi

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I just bought two new guinea pigs and put them, along with my two current piggies in a clean cage.

My two current piggies seemed to chase the new ones around and somewhat "mount" the new additions as if to mate. They're all males... is this a bad sign? Why did that happen?

Advice please :(
 
I was always under the impression that males should be kept in pairs only. I know that some owners have managed trios but 4 males together seems a bit risky.
 
I think male groups sometimes work and sometimes dont, but you have now put 2 new pigs in "their" cage and the new pigs are eating "their" food, its just dominance behaviour, i'm no expert and havent any experience but they are probably sorting out the pecking order and so long as no blood is drawn you could try again, hopefully someone else will be able to advise better.
 
I would never advise anyone to try more than a pair of males together as the chances of it working long term is very slim. You will find that some members have managed to create a small group of males but it all depends on the personalityof the pigs and space available. It is not something for the inexperienced as fall outs can be common.

You say 'just bought' - does that mean you haven't quarantined the new arrivals for 2 weeks to be certain they are healthy?

If you could give more info on the boys ages, background, your cage sizes and set up it will help. But the simple answer is no more than two boys to any one cage, minimum size is 4ft x 2ft, preferably larger.

HTH

Suzy x
 
Thanks for replying :)

The two current piggies are about 12 weeks old, and the new ones are about 8.

All from PAH so they came from large groups of males to begin with.

When I introduced them it was in a clean cage with clean hay and food etc, the cage I was hoping to keep them in is about 2metres by 2metres, so fairly big. I bought two separate "houses" as well.

I've got a feeling I've made a big mistake here, to begin with I thought it would work as I've seen people keep piggies in large groups but after what you guys have said I'm not so sure :(
 
The vast majority of herds that you see on the forum are either all female or one neutered male and a harem.

Your older boys are at the very start of their hormonal period and the younger ones will start in a few weeks time. The teenage months can last until they are 15 months old, so trying to bond 4 boys with raging hormones is almost certainly going to end in disaster.

If each pair can be given a 2mx1m space then I'm sure they will love it.

Suzy x
 
The large groups you've probably seen people with are more likely all sows or one neutered male with sows. Like everyone said here boys are a lot more difficult to have a stable relationship with more than just 2. Personally I wouldn't risk trying to have more than a pair of boars just in case they all fall out then I'm stuck with multiple single piggies. I say if the two piggies you currently have are stable don't try to add more to them and keep the two piggies you just bought separate. Also I agree with Suzy that you should have quarantined them first as you might end up with 4 sick piggies :(
 
I can split the big cage into two and have them side by side so they can see but not touch.

Do you think I'd have much luck trying to put them back together again in a few weeks?

I split them back into their pairs almost instantly, they should be okay.

Thank you for all your advise everyone, I really appreciate it. x
 
Togepi said:
Do you think I'd have much luck trying to put them back together again in a few weeks?
Click to expand...

Absolutely not. Their hormones will be even stronger then.

The advice I give is won from 35 years of experience and over 800 rescue pigs, 200 of my own pigs. If more than 2 boys was easy I would have a huge herd of them as boys are the most fabulous pets.

I don't play the 'I know better than you' card very often as I'm still learning after all these years but please listen to the advice given, it's not given lightly or without foundation.

Suzy x
 
^ I would listen to Suzy, I haven't been on this forum very long but a lot of people on here say she has some of the best advice and really really knows her stuff.
 
The mounting behaviour is normal male dominance behaviour. It's his way of saying, "I'm the king of this castle". The "victim" pig may squeak a bit but unless they are fighting, teeth chatting or hissing, then leave them to figure it out. Make sure to keep an eye on them though in case any of these signs occur. Also, when I try and bond new pigs I make sure to weigh them every week, this way you can see if any of them are losing weigh by the dominant male not allowing them to eat.

An ounce (aprox 28g) in weight loss is fine but anything more then also separate them immediatly. Other then that, my advice to you would be to let them figure out the 'pecking order' on their own.:)
 
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