Reintroducing guinea piggies

Rivervixen

Rivervixen

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Opening a new thread for this sorry! As I've posted on my piggies thread, Raven and Bruno got into a tussel which has led to separation. A bit of a knock for us as Sue has never heard of a boar and a sow getting into one 😕 initially we thought it was Bruno that had started it, but watching closely back on the video it was Bruno sleeping in a bed, Raven seemingly taking offense to him being in a bed that she thinks is hers, and jumping on Bruno. I called Sue after checking over both piggies and rearranging the cage and she said we can either take them back or have them live side by side temporarily and take them out for a mutual cuddle in a few weeks to see how they are. I did forget to ask her what the next step would be as I was in shock still. Do I need to bond them again on neutral territory? or is this a step that we skip seen as though the cage as theirs now as well, I do want to get it right, as before this they were seemingly quite happy
 
Wish I had an answer for you.
I read your other thread so know the saga and how difficult it’s been for you.
Just know that I am holding you in my heart ♥️
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
Yes, if you try to bond Raven and Bruno again, you have to start from scratch. And be prepared that you could need a lot of patience. Raven coming into heat could help.
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Thank you, I did think this was the case but wasn't completely sure. Experiencing all of this now, I realise how lucky I got with Bruno and Ozzy's bond. Plopped them in together not knowing any better and Brunos terror humping frenzies that almost caused tussels were calmed down by a week of the divider. This being said, Ozzy would always squeeze under the divider (I to this day dont know how) to get back to Bruno, had such confusion when I'd wake up to both of them in one side!
 
At first you need a cooling-down-time to get the stress hormones out of their system.
Giving them mutual cuddles is a good way to see if they tolerate each others presence. If they start to fight while you hold them, you don't need to try a real bonding.
I would probably also switch enclosures before trying a new bonding. This way they can get used to the smell of the other piggy before meeting in person.
And I would re-arrange the furniture completely, not just clean everything but also switch the positions and leave favourite hideys out at first once you feel safe to put them back into the cage after the bonding session.

Yes, girls can beat up boars after the bonding. But this is more likely to happen to a new boar.
Since Raven and Wren were already bonded, Raven felt safe enough to act up to Bruno.
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
At first you need a cooling-down-time to get the stress hormones out of their system.
Giving them mutual cuddles is a good way to see if they tolerate each others presence. If they start to fight while you hold them, you don't need to try a real bonding.
I would probably also switch enclosures before trying a new bonding. This way they can get used to the smell of the other piggy before meeting in person.
And I would re-arrange the furniture completely, not just clean everything but also switch the positions and leave favourite hideys out at first once you feel safe to put them back into the cage after the bonding session.

Yes, girls can beat up boars after the bonding. But this is more likely to happen to a new boar.
Since Raven and Wren were already bonded, Raven felt safe enough to act up to Bruno.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your help. When the time comes we will switch the sides that they're on so they can get used to their smells again. Weibke did mention that she thought Raven was the new leader of the group now, that definitely has shown. I think Bruno has accepted it as he has let her have control and stopped challenging her for it, this was just a really unfortunate case of Bruno being in "her" bed it feels. Won't have anything in the corners anymore going forward. For now we will have a nice chill couple of weeks, I'll reread this after as it has given me a clear vision of what needs to happen, thank you again 💖
 
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