Rivervixen’s piggies

Absolutely cant believe it. Glanced at pig cam to see a flying fur ball flying down the cage between Bruno and Raven. Having to separate them, never seen anything like it. Sue gave us the option to take them back or keep them as neighbours. No injuries happened. She said to take it slow and keep them as neighbours, and in a couple of weeks, 3 or so, can take Bruno out and the girls for a cuddle on me to see how they react to each other. Absolutely gutted 😕 I won't take them back, they're our girls and I couldn't bare to
 
Omg that’s so sad - I watched the video …it came out of nowhere !
thank goodness you got there quickly
Good luck with whatever you decide 🥰
 
Roselina said:
Omg that’s so sad - I watched the video …it came out of nowhere !
thank goodness you got there quickly
Good luck with whatever you decide 🥰
Click to expand...
Ran up as soon as we saw it, really did come out of nowhere. Originally thought it was Bruno but the video shows that it was Raven 🫤 we have them separated side by side with Wren in with Raven. Wren keeps begging at the bars for Bruno, I feel so bad for her. We will try the mutual cuddle in a good few weeks as Sue has suggested. I'm floored by this as they all seemed so happy
 
They seem to be having a fight over who gets the corner shelter. Even Wren comes out and gets involved for a few seconds. I am so sorry to see this. My piggies live side by side and seem to be happy, but it is nicer if they can live as a group 😟
 
Truffolo said:
They seem to be having a fight over who gets the corner shelter. Even Wren comes out and gets involved for a few seconds. I am so sorry to see this. My piggies live side by side and seem to be happy, but it is nicer if they can live as a group 😟
Click to expand...
Bruno usually likes the fleece forest nearest the piggie cam, I'm thinking Raven does see that one as "hers". I'm hoping that in a few weeks we can try again. Convinced my OH to extend the cage to 2x8 (currently at 2x6) in case this doesnt work out
 
Truffolo said:
Perhaps more space will help 🙏
Click to expand...
I'm really hoping so. I know piggies don't have the same emotions that we do to things, but just feeling so sorry for Bruno, lost his little buddy and now this 😟 we won't give up until we find a solution. Been thinking a lot about what you said with Raven wanting the bed, going to either double up on them or remove them completely 🤔
 
I wonder if where a guinea pig sleeps is important to them because in the wild having a good sleeping place could protect you from predators and help you stay warm on cold nights. Pigs with high status use sleeping places to maintain that status, having the top bunk means a lot to them.
 
Truffolo said:
I wonder if where a guinea pig sleeps is important to them because in the wild having a good sleeping place could protect you from predators and help you stay warm on cold nights. Pigs with high status use sleeping places to maintain that status, having the top bunk means a lot to them.
Click to expand...
I like your thought process on this and it would make sense 🤔 we do have an absolute ton of cuddle cups, tunnels, beds etc so there will never be a shortage. With a 2x8 can add even more.. was thinking about using more fleece tunnels as well than beds? We weren't sure if the girls were using them, but peeking at them on the cam today we've seen little Wren in a tunnel all day with Raven in the bed. So maybe adding more of both will help
 
The lady I got my pigs from advised me to just put down hay everywhere and that if it's fairly deep, the pigs don't need shelters because they burrow in the hay. It might work. Perhaps having a few piles of hay around and piling them up now and then during the day, I wonder?
 
Truffolo said:
The lady I got my pigs from advised me to just put down hay everywhere and that if it's fairly deep, the pigs don't need shelters because they burrow in the hay. It might work. Perhaps having a few piles of hay around and piling them up now and then during the day, I wonder?
Click to expand...
Sounds like a lady that knows her stuff 😁 we had two big piles, one in the middle and one where we had the end specifically for hay, but more piles is definitely a good shout too. Did think the two big piles would be ok, but these little ones are proving me wrong as to what's enough :flag: currently making space for extensions, wasnt sure if we had enough room but its looking good. Do you happen to know if they'll need completely rebonding in a few weeks? Sue did say to try the mutual cuddle, but I'm not sure if that follows with neutral ground, or back into the cage
 
Rivervixen said:
Sounds like a lady that knows her stuff 😁 we had two big piles, one in the middle and one where we had the end specifically for hay, but more piles is definitely a good shout too. Did think the two big piles would be ok, but these little ones are proving me wrong as to what's enough :flag: currently making space for extensions, wasnt sure if we had enough room but its looking good. Do you happen to know if they'll need completely rebonding in a few weeks? Sue did say to try the mutual cuddle, but I'm not sure if that follows with neutral ground, or back into the cage
Click to expand...
I'm not quite sure what should follow next. I think some of the very experienced people and of course Sue might have sound advice. I think Sue's advice is excellent ❤
 
Truffolo said:
I'm not quite sure what should follow next. I think some of the very experienced people and of course Sue might have sound advice. I think Sue's advice is excellent ❤
Click to expand...
I do feel bad to call her, think I've rang her 3 or so times because we've had a rocky bonding. Will give her a call in a few weeks if nobody on here happens to know, really do appreciate the support here 💖
 
You could start a thread on this dilemma, it would be interesting. I think corners seem to become piggy castles in a way, so perhaps the less hiding places in them the better. But at the moment they are just taking a rest, so no need to worry about the corners now 🏡
 
Truffolo said:
You could start a thread on this dilemma, it would be interesting. I think corners seem to become piggy castles in a way, so perhaps the less hiding places in them the better. But at the moment they are just taking a rest, so no need to worry about the corners now 🏡
Click to expand...
I have posted one 🙂 they are all very chilled out right now and we have the space ready for the extension. Things completely out of the corners may be the best way, that way there is no piggie getting cornered again as well
 
When I've got a bumpy bonding (okay, nearly every time ;)), I only use fleece tunnels during the first days or longer - until I feel comfortable to slowly add other hideys. I also enlarge the enclosure as much as possible.
I always leave their favourite hiding places out at first and introduce them again later on. But not in exact the same arrangement as before.

Since in Austria it isn't allowed to keep piggies on their own, we sometimes switch piggies for a while. Of course that's not a long-term arrangement and one has to see if it does any good or brings more stress, but if Wren likes Bruno as well as Raven and you feel that Bruno is lonely, you could put Wren with Bruno for one day and with Raven for another day.
I'm not the biggest fan of an arrangement like this, but in some cases it does help.
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
When I've got a bumpy bonding (okay, nearly every time ;)), I only use fleece tunnels during the first days or longer - until I feel comfortable to slowly add other hideys. I also enlarge the enclosure as much as possible.
I always leave their favourite hiding places out at first and introduce them again later on. But not in exact the same arrangement as before.

Since in Austria it isn't allowed to keep piggies on their own, we sometimes switch piggies for a while. Of course that's not a long-term arrangement and one has to see if it does any good or brings more stress, but if Wren likes Bruno as well as Raven and you feel that Bruno is lonely, you could put Wren with Bruno for one day and with Raven for another day.
I'm not the biggest fan of an arrangement like this, but in some cases it does help.
Click to expand...
Bumpy bonding is definitely nerve wracking! You've given some amazing advice, thank you so much. My OH did suggest to put Wren in with Bruno sometimes but I did say no in the fear that it would ruin Raven and Wrens bond, but if this is feasible then we will consider it, Bruno really is a clingy piggie and he has really been wanting to physically be with them 🥺 we do have plenty of fleece tunnels so that will be good🙂
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
There is a risk but if Wren and Raven have got a good bond between them, a short seperation shouldn't do any harm.
If Wren is bullyed by Raven as well, the bond could brake but that depends on how long they have been together before they came to you.
Click to expand...
Wren is 3 months old so they've been together since birth, I think in my foggy brain I forgot to mention they are mummy and daughter. Raven does show dominance to Wren at times, but its never anything bad, just more of a "I get first pick of the food" type thing
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top