Spoke Too Soon, Issues Bonding!

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

So over night they seemed to be fine, checked them all over everyone was good. Just now there was a bit of a scuffle (Drom had cornered Iggy and he was trying to get away).

After several loud crashes and bangs it was over quickly and Drom doesn't appear to have injuries but Iggy has splits in both the corners of his mouth

I'm unsure what has caused it, but I don't think it was intentional. I've taken him out for a moment to cool down. He's now sitting me having a cry and acting a bit weird. Would it be shock?

this was just before I took him out.

I need to go out this afternoon, should I separate them? I feel like I know I should keep them together but after that I'm a bit more reluctant, I need to clean Iggy's mouth and possibly pop to the vet today and if not, tomorrow.

Drama!

 

[Louise's Zoo]

Oh poop. Piggy bonding is so blooming stressful. Why can't they all just be friends?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Oh poop. Piggy bonding is so blooming stressful. Why can't they all just be friends?

I know right? It was perfect for the first 4 hours or so! I thought how easy it was

Lots of teeth chattering and it's horrible, even Tonks chased Iggy biting him on the bum. I feel so sorry for the poor lad, especially as Drom has got it in for him and he's frightened of her

I just can't tell how this one is gunna go now, I'm even thinking of cancelling my long awaited hair appointment because I don't know if I should leave them now that there's been blood

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Apologies if it's a bad photo.



Drom still pleads guilty!



I do wish they'd sort it out

 

[Wiebke]

That looks just like a minor misjudged back foot swipe and is not something serious. Just take out all housing and let them sort it out between them in so they cannot be cornered. Give them a little time to settle down and for the corners to stop hurting, but it is not the end of the road, just the thick of dominance.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

That looks just like a minor misjudged back foot swipe and is not something serious. Just take out all housing and let them sort it out between them in so they cannot be cornered.

Cheers Wiebke, that's put my mind at ease a bit. Tensions are running high this morning with a lot of rumbling and teeth chattering. Iggy is still trying to find his place, he's hoping for 3rd but will end up 4th or 5th. Possibly joint 4th with Tonks

They don't have houses, they've got a small bendy bridge and 2 little foot stools?

She cornered him in the actual corner of the C&C unfortunately I'm planning to get some more cardboard boxes today too.

Do you think they'll be okay on their own for a few hours?

 

[Wiebke]

Cheers Wiebke, that's put my mind at ease a bit. Tensions are running high this morning with a lot of rumbling and teeth chattering. Iggy is still trying to find his place, he's hoping for 3rd but will end up 4th or 5th. Possibly joint 4th with Tonks

They don't have houses, they've got a small bendy bridge and 2 little foot stools?

She cornered him in the actual corner of the C&C unfortunately I'm planning to get some more cardboard boxes today too.

Do you think they'll be okay on their own for a few hours?

Have you got a run with panels that you can set up so it has got no corners he can get backed into? Cornering/boxing in between other piggies is usually the biggest problem with group bonding while the hierarchy is being established.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Have you got a run with panels that you can set up so it has got no corners he can get backed into? Cornering/boxing in between other piggies is usually the biggest problem with group bonding while the hierarchy is being established.

I don't unfortunately, that's a good idea although I'm not sure how I could adapt their cage temporarily without taking up space.

A problem I have is due to having a cat who would happily try guinea pig, I'm fairly limited as to what I can set up for when I'm not around

I did the initial bonding in a big area in the shed as I could shut the door

 

[Wiebke]

I don't unfortunately, that's a good idea although I'm not sure how I could adapt their cage temporarily without taking up space.

A problem I have is due to having a cat who would happily try guinea pig, I'm fairly limited as to what I can set up for when I'm not around

I did the initial bonding in a big area in the shed as I could shut the door

Could you put them all back in there for the day and fence off the corners with some cardboard they cannot wiggle behind?

 

[Wiebke]

Or you leave it until you are back again. Mixed gender bonding can be done in batches, as long as you give each round plenty of time to work through dominance issues and move the whole thing on.

 

[Danielle Smith]

It might be an idea to fix C&C grids across the corners so it's more like an octagon, if that makes sense?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Could you put them all back in there for the day and fence off the corners with some cardboard they cannot wiggle behind?

I have some spare C&C grids I could use just need to get some zip ties.

Or you leave it until you are back again. Mixed gender bonding can be done in batches, as long as you give each round plenty of time to work through dominance issues and move the whole thing on.

Do you mean I should separate them while I'm out? If I do that, will I have to start from scratch with neutral area and cage etc or will it be okay as his scent is well and truly in there lol!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It might be an idea to fix C&C grids across the corners so it's more like an octagon, if that makes sense?

Yea I thought I could do that with their run but I can't with their cage unfortunately

 

[Wiebke]

I have some spare C&C grids I could use just need to get some zip ties.



Do you mean I should separate them while I'm out? If I do that, will I have to start from scratch with neutral area and cage etc or will it be okay as his scent is well and truly in there lol!

With mixed gender bonding, you are not stating from scratch, unlike with boar/boar bonding. I have conducted successful sessions on the lawn with no previous scent, and thing have usually settled down again after 10 minutes.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

With mixed gender bonding, you are not stating from scratch, unlike with boar/boar bonding. I have conducted successful sessions on the lawn with no previous scent, and thing have usually settled down again after 10 minutes.

Ah okay so it's alright to separate them? I'm wondering whether I need to do that or not. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

It's so difficult as it goes through stages of being okay and then being hell haha.

 

[Wiebke]

Ah okay so it's alright to separate them? I'm wondering whether I need to do that or not. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

It's so difficult as it goes through stages of being okay and then being hell haha.

how are they now?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

how are they now?

Everyone's having a nap separately (the girls have never been snugglers anyway). I must say it's nice to hear that quiet

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Plenty of bickering after the previous rest, everyone has come out for a check over and a cuddle to give them a break and now have Iggy out. The girls are so happy without him haha.



I'm not sure how he's comfy, I'm certainly not



But that's how he wanted to rest!



He's now having a cuddle and a sleep with his nanny, hopefully he'll be nicer after a sleep!

No more injuries to report, Bella and Tonks are a bit fed up of the dramas I think. They both clung on for dear life when I put them back.

 

[Redribbon]

Aww poor lad! I never knew girls could be so feisty like that!
Would a communal feast calm things down?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Aww poor lad! I never knew girls could be so feisty like that!
Would a communal feast calm things down?

Oh yes they fiesty ladies!

The issue is he wants the #3 spot and the current #3 champ isn't having any of it

They've had several feasts together which calms things down for a while, then they nap and then it all starts up again!

 

[Louise's Zoo]

Awww this is why I only have male friends. Girls are mean!

 

[piggieminder]

I've got everything crossed things calm down and work out in the end. Iggy looks such a little darling

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Awww this is why I only have male friends. Girls are mean!

That's very true!

I've got everything crossed things calm down and work out in the end. Iggy looks such a little darling

Thank you, we'll definitely need it!

They're in their nap phase again, oh how I cherish these nap times

He's a darling until he's back in the cage, then it starts to get heated again





Now imagine that little face chasing everyone around and butt nipping! Impossible right?

 

[piggieminder]

It's not his fault, those naughty girls make him do it.

 

[Janice C]

How can they resist such a handsome fellow though?
Certainly enjoying being with you.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It's not his fault, those naughty girls make him do it.

That's what he tells me!

How can they resist such a handsome fellow though?
Certainly enjoying being with you.

Right? He's too adorable to resist, but he knows it that's the trouble!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

After a bit of a punch up with everyone at once I've decided to separate for the night. I'm scared to think what might have happened if I was asleep! I knew it was getting a bit tense in there but I thought it would just fizzle out.

Now I'll have to plan reintroductions either tomorrow or Sunday... I'm a bit gutted to be honest.

@Wiebke would I be able to just pop him back into the cage after some run time with the girls? His scent is definitely all over that cage

 

[Wiebke]

After a bit of a punch up with everyone at once I've decided to separate for the night. I'm scared to think what might have happened if I was asleep! I knew it was getting a bit tense in there but I thought it would just fizzle out.

Now I'll have to plan reintroductions either tomorrow or Sunday... I'm a bit gutted to be honest.

@Wiebke would I be able to just pop him back into the cage after some run time with the girls? His scent is definitely all over that cage

I would start again in the neutral area. If tensions are right up there again soon after the start, then I would personally call it off as dominance issues are going to resurface again and again. My mixed group bondings often fail at the stage of the hierarchy sort-out.
It things stay more relaxed, then I would continue and sit it out.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

I would start again in the neutral area. If tensions are right up there again soon after the start, then I would personally call it off as dominance issues are going to resurface again and again. My mixed group bondings often fail at the stage of the hierarchy sort-out.
It things stay more relaxed, then I would continue and sit it out.

Generally tensions aren't that high, he's out for cuddles at the moment so I haven't technically separated him. Possibly because I don't want to...

They're going through stages of dominance, rest, dominance, rest over about a half hour period. It's very different to what I'm used to.

I just don't know what to think atm, it started off perfectly and amazingly, then Cissy claimed first place, Bella second and Tonks is probably 5th but it's the 3rd and 4th spot that's up for grabs.

He's just being overly rumbly today and a bit humpy but they've been pretty good with him, telling him off of course but not really giving him a hard time.

I wish I knew what this all meant.

Really I want to put him back in, I've had him out for about 40 mins and everyone has had a good sleep. Do you think it would be possible for him to go back?

 

[Wiebke]

Generally tensions aren't that high, he's out for cuddles at the moment so I haven't technically separated him. Possibly because I don't want to...

They're going through stages of dominance, rest, dominance, rest over about a half hour period. It's very different to what I'm used to.

I just don't know what to think atm, it started off perfectly and amazingly, then Cissy claimed first place, Bella second and Tonks is probably 5th but it's the 3rd and 4th spot that's up for grabs.

He's just being overly rumbly today and a bit humpy but they've been pretty good with him, telling him off of course but not really giving him a hard time.

I wish I knew what this all meant.

Really I want to put him back in, I've had him out for about 40 mins and everyone has had a good sleep. Do you think it would be possible for him to go back?

It is a typical pattern for sorting out a disputed ranking that both piggies feel they can hold and neither is willing to step down yet. Dominance sort outs are not constant, they happen in rounds of face-offs, and they travel down the hierarchy. A newbie is tried from the top down until they find their rung - but that rung can be sometimes disputed. As long the dispute is not too up there, there is hope.

But if you are worried, then take him out and restart again. As acceptance and most of the major dominance has happened, the piggies will pick up where they left off after a quick reaffirmation of the ranking so far. Any neutral ground is somewhat better as long as the hierarchy is not fully sorted.