Sows All Of A Sudden Not Getting On

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ChelleM

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Can anybody help me?

I am new to owning Guinea Pigs and just over a week ago rehomed 2 roughly 8 month old sows. They came to us in their cage with a hidey house, bowls and drink bottle. We have been keeping them in our kitchen as we eventually would like them in the garden in their hutch and run but they were always kept in a bedroom so we figured it would be too cold to just put them outside. On milder days I have taken them out of their cage and allowed them to run around in our fairly cool conservatory where there new hutch currently is so they have space to run.

Other than being very shy the first few days they seemed happy to be with each other and will now come and take food from our hands. I have noticed that the bigger of the sows is rumbling and chasing the smaller one a lot more over the last two days. I have put an extra hidey house in their cage so they could both have space but the bigger one seems to actively seek out the smaller one to have a grumble at her. The littler one makes a lot of squeaks and runs away. Then 5 mins later they will be friends again, then anither 5 mins later it seems to start again. The bigger one isnt hogging food.

Do I need to do anything/be concerned or should I leave them to sort it out between themselves?

Thanks in advance!
 
ChelleM said:
Can anybody help me?

I am new to owning Guinea Pigs and just over a week ago rehomed 2 roughly 8 month old sows. They came to us in their cage with a hidey house, bowls and drink bottle. We have been keeping them in our kitchen as we eventually would like them in the garden in their hutch and run but they were always kept in a bedroom so we figured it would be too cold to just put them outside. On milder days I have taken them out of their cage and allowed them to run around in our fairly cool conservatory where there new hutch currently is so they have space to run.

Other than being very shy the first few days they seemed happy to be with each other and will now come and take food from our hands. I have noticed that the bigger of the sows is rumbling and chasing the smaller one a lot more over the last two days. I have put an extra hidey house in their cage so they could both have space but the bigger one seems to actively seek out the smaller one to have a grumble at her. The littler one makes a lot of squeaks and runs away. Then 5 mins later they will be friends again, then anither 5 mins later it seems to start again. The bigger one isnt hogging food.

Do I need to do anything/be concerned or should I leave them to sort it out between themselves?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Hi!

Your dominant girl has currently got a strong season, which is normal during the dominance phase of a renewed hierarchy sort-out in new territory. It should die down again within a day or two.
Sow Behaviour
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
 
Ok thank you! I did wonder weather she was in season as I noticed earlier after she had grumbled and chased the smaller one she ran off and had a wee or perhaps she was scenting. Fingers crossed its over soon and they go back to being friends!
 
Another question.......I have also noticed today that where one has been for a wee/scented the other quickly follows and goes on top. Is this all to with season/trying to be dominant?
 
Thank you! Its very reassuring to know its all normal!

As a family we are loving them and really enjoying watching them come out of their shells bit by bit each day. The kids are loving how they squeak when they take them some food!!
 
So the girls seemed to have been getting on better for the last day and half however this morning the truce has well and truely ended! There is constant bickering/squeaking/squeals, chasing, teeth chattering, squaring up to each other and jumping at each other. I cant even sayits all from the bigger one as the smaller one is ding her fair share! I have removed their hidey holes so neither of them can be cornered. What else can/should I do? Do I need to be concerned?
 
I would put in some cardboard boxes with multiple exits (cut 2 or more doorways) and put a few in. It could make their anxieties worse if they have no where to hide. It might be that the bottom sow is now in season, she might be trying her luck with the dominant girl.

Unless they're drawing blood I would just keep an eye on them, check them over frequently as they may have little nips on their bottoms from dominance nipping so just make sure they're not bad which they probably won't be.

Hope this helps :)
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
I would put in some cardboard boxes with multiple exits (cut 2 or more doorways) and put a few in. It could make their anxieties worse if they have no where to hide. It might be that the bottom sow is now in season, she might be trying her luck with the dominant girl.

Unless they're drawing blood I would just keep an eye on them, check them over frequently as they may have little nips on their bottoms from dominance nipping so just make sure they're not bad which they probably won't be.

Hope this helps :)
Click to expand...
Thank you. I will put their hidey hole that has two openings back in and find a big enough box for another one.
 
They have spent the day out in our sort of conservatory and seem much happier as they have plenty of space. I have bought them back into the kitchen for the night as it is warmer in their and they seem ok at the moment but I wonder if they get fed up of being so close together during the night? Our conservatory isnt much warmer than outside so I assumed it would be too cold for them to stay out there over night at the minute?
 
Yes it would be too cold, what size cage have they got? If I missed the sizing I apologise.

It could be that their cage is way too small (which is often the case when they come with one) in which case that could be the reason they're not getting along well in said cage.
 
Its not very big. I think 4ftx3ft which is why I am putting them into the conservatory during the day. I will just have to put them out there first thing before I get their food ready as thats when it seems to start......all is quiet and well at the moment.
 
I'd give it a measure to make sure but if it is 4x3 ft then the size should be fine.

My two youngest still bicker like mad but being young they're particularly hormonal, especially when in season. I was lucky with my first two girls as they didn't even show dominance behaviours til they met the young ones. I didn't even know who was boss!

Sometimes I think it's just down to personalities :)
 
Ok, thank you!

I will continue to let them have the run of the conservatory during the day for the time being and get them out there as early as I can so that any tensions hopefully wont completely arise. Fingers crossed they will sort themselves out without much more agro!
 
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! If you haven't already, please make sure they have at least 2 of everything. Eg: 2+ water bottles, food bowels, hides and hay areas etc. Just in case :)
 
Thank you! Its really nice to know that as a newbie to keeping Guineas there are plenty of people out there/on here willing to share advice and ideas! I am sure I will be back to ask many questions in the future!
 
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