Recently Adopted 3 bonded Sows - Advice please

[Stacey]

Hi All

I recently adopted 3 already bonded sows from the local SSPCA which we brought home yesterday. Bella (3 y/o) Cleo (2 y/o) and Jasmine (1-2 y/o). We were told they were well bonded Girls and were surrendered due to previous owner had allergies.

Cleo is really outgoing and confident. Jasmine is fairly confident but a little shy and Bella has come out to eat but prefers to stay hidden under the loft area which I'm hoping is just because its a new place and will take some time for her to come out her shell.

They are housed in a 7 x 2 C & C cage with 2 Grids length as what I call the piggie Kitchen which is just full with hay as the base, with some hay bags and 2 water bottles and the rest of the cage is fleece with beds, tunnels, toys and there is also a loft which is one grid long.

We noticed yesterday there was some rumble strutting, nipping and Jasmine let out a really loud squeal which I had read they are acting like this because they are in a new environment, they are just sorting out the pecking order again. I was wondering how long this usually lasts? Cleo seems to be the most Dominant which the 2 other girls seemed to of accepted. Jasmine will only try to Dominate Bella who seems to of accepted that aswell as she doesnt try to fight back but Cleo will be straight over as if to break this up. Is this normal aswell? During the stay at the SSPCA Jasmine had been losing weight and the staff thought it was maybe as she wasnt getting to the food so they would take her away to feed and she regained food. Since coming here she is always eating the hay and grass and eats plenty of veggies.

They eat together (mostly fine) and sleep near one another.

Is there anything else I should expect from them? Should I be worried about 1 being left out? any advice would be much appreciated.

I honestly think I am being overly worried and a bit paranoid. We have never had Sows before, only boars and the 3 boars we had (which was over 8 years ago) never got along, with terrible fights, blood drawn and an emergency operation needed to fix a ripped ear. They were separated and lived their lives living side by side but alone. I think seeing how awful it was for them (and us) while bonding has really put some fear into me. I was worried about going to bed last because I was thinking what if a fight starts and we are sleeping and arent there to break it up. They seem fine this morning.

We adopted last year (from sspca) a lone elderly guinea pig (who was looking for a retirement home) Devon who was such an amazing wee guy and was put to sleep quite unexpectedly which left us devastated. As he was a lone boar we never had to worry about the bonding side of things and he was really happy. We decided to adopt the girls because we had this empty massive cage and honestly missed having guinea pigs around and because the girls were already bonded we thought We wouldnt need to go throught the bonding or the fights.

Sorry for the novel, I think stress is making me ramble on a bit lol

Thanks in advance

 

[Piggies&buns]

It will take them around two weeks to go through reestablishing their relationship. This happens whenever there is a change in environment. It doesn’t mean they aren’t bonded, so try not to worry too much. You obviously need to keep an eye on them but don’t overly worry yourself.
They have a good amount of space, but do ensure all hides have two exits.

Three boars is a pretty much a recipe for disaster (they almost always fail), whereas three sows have a much better chance of being absolutely fine provided they want to be together

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

It would be a good idea to keep an eye on Jasmine’s weight though just to be sure she is definitely getting enough hay if there have been issues in the past. Sometimes, one piggy being left out and losing weight can be because of bullying.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi All

I recently adopted 3 already bonded sows from the local SSPCA which we brought home yesterday. Bella (3 y/o) Cleo (2 y/o) and Jasmine (1-2 y/o). We were told they were well bonded Girls and were surrendered due to previous owner had allergies.

Cleo is really outgoing and confident. Jasmine is fairly confident but a little shy and Bella has come out to eat but prefers to stay hidden under the loft area which I'm hoping is just because its a new place and will take some time for her to come out her shell.

They are housed in a 7 x 2 C & C cage with 2 Grids length as what I call the piggie Kitchen which is just full with hay as the base, with some hay bags and 2 water bottles and the rest of the cage is fleece with beds, tunnels, toys and there is also a loft which is one grid long.

We noticed yesterday there was some rumble strutting, nipping and Jasmine let out a really loud squeal which I had read they are acting like this because they are in a new environment, they are just sorting out the pecking order again. I was wondering how long this usually lasts? Cleo seems to be the most Dominant which the 2 other girls seemed to of accepted. Jasmine will only try to Dominate Bella who seems to of accepted that aswell as she doesnt try to fight back but Cleo will be straight over as if to break this up. Is this normal aswell? During the stay at the SSPCA Jasmine had been losing weight and the staff thought it was maybe as she wasnt getting to the food so they would take her away to feed and she regained food. Since coming here she is always eating the hay and grass and eats plenty of veggies.

They eat together (mostly fine) and sleep near one another.

Is there anything else I should expect from them? Should I be worried about 1 being left out? any advice would be much appreciated.

I honestly think I am being overly worried and a bit paranoid. We have never had Sows before, only boars and the 3 boars we had (which was over 8 years ago) never got along, with terrible fights, blood drawn and an emergency operation needed to fix a ripped ear. They were separated and lived their lives living side by side but alone. I think seeing how awful it was for them (and us) while bonding has really put some fear into me. I was worried about going to bed last because I was thinking what if a fight starts and we are sleeping and arent there to break it up. They seem fine this morning.

We adopted last year (from sspca) a lone elderly guinea pig (who was looking for a retirement home) Devon who was such an amazing wee guy and was put to sleep quite unexpectedly which left us devastated. As he was a lone boar we never had to worry about the bonding side of things and he was really happy. We decided to adopt the girls because we had this empty massive cage and honestly missed having guinea pigs around and because the girls were already bonded we thought We wouldnt need to go throught the bonding or the fights.

Sorry for the novel, I think stress is making me ramble on a bit lol

Thanks in advance

Hi and welcome

Please be aware that all guinea pigs have to establish/re-establish their group in any new territory; they are wired to live in hierarchical groups that are territorial. This results in plenty of dominance which usually lasts around 2 weeks but can be much shorter or longer. It can come as a major shock to new owners. You will also likely notice stronger seasons at first, which are also a reaction to this change in circumstances. Your girls are bonded; they are currently in the process to re-affirm that bond and their working group. Unlike humans, guinea pigs have to be much more demonstrative but rest assured that any dominance behaviours are actually carefully judged gestures of power that are not in any way hurtful. Any screaming is submission screaming, and very effective as that.

It is actually good to see that your girls are making themselves at home in their new territory even if it is coming as a shock to you. It means that they are on course.

Make sure that you sprinkle feed, have only huts and furnishing with two exits and water bottles in two different places during this time.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (See chapter Dominance Phase)

You can find a description of normal dominance between sows during this stage also in our Sow Guide: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Here is the link to our New Owner's Starter collection of helpful guides that contain all the needful information and practical tips for settling in, making friends with and understanding guinea pig behaviour plus information on the little things that often throw new owners.
You may want to bookmark it, browse, read and re-read at need: Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners

 

[Stacey]

Thank You, its definitely been a bit of a shock as it didnt cross my mind this would be an issue but I also do think I'm overly paranoid too lol

The tunnels and beds all have both exits and the bottles are apart.

Thank You for your reply

 

[Wiebke]

We'd rather have members asking questions than screaming in with a big emergency or a permanent fall-out...

We are here to help you and will always answer any questions as little or large in a friendly and factual way, helping you to understand what is going on. We have all started out knowing zero, after all.

 

[Stacey]

It will take them around two weeks to go through reestablishing their relationship. This happens whenever there is a change in environment. It doesn’t mean they aren’t bonded, so try not to worry too much. You obviously need to keep an eye on them but don’t overly worry yourself.
They have a good amount of space, but do ensure all hides have two exits.

Three boars is a pretty much a recipe for disaster (they almost always fail), whereas three sows have a much better chance of being absolutely fine provided they want to be together

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

It would be a good idea to keep an eye on Jasmine’s weight though just to be sure she is definitely getting enough hay if there have been issues in the past. Sometimes, one piggy being left out and losing weight can be because of bullying.

I realise that with boars now haha. Thank You. They all seem pretty chilled and I haven't heard too much rumbling from them today so far but will definitely keep an eye on them. They have been eating together and sleep near each other.

How do you tell the difference between normal behaviour and bullying?

Thank You for your replu

 

[VickiA]

This all sounds like normal sow behaviour in a group who’ve moved home and now have a new cage/run and new cage wares. They are settling themselves in, and deciding metaphorically who should have which bedroom, who’s going to get the best seat in the lounge, who’s going to do the dishes and who’s going to put the bins out! It will take a couple of weeks for them to settle down completely once each pig knows their place in the group.
Sows can be subtle with their bullying. An indication of bullying is often evidence of one withdrawn piggy coupled with some weight loss. With regular weight and health checks you can check that no one is getting “seen off” from the food or hay tray. Having multiples of everything decreases the chance of a bully preventing their victim from eating or resting in a house but in all likelihood you will not have a bullying situation on your hands as the rescue have seen them as a bonded group and observed their behaviour. It is much more likely that they will be simply sorting out their hierarchy and living arrangements in their new home.
Please do let us know how they get on, and an occasional photo or 2 would be lovely.

 

[Stacey]

Thank You. We will b3 doing regular weigh ins because Jasmine had been losing weight at the Sspca. She has been eating loads since coming here which is good.