Think I may have to split my piggies up.

Betsy said:
That's what I'm hoping! Here they are all snuggled up and lovey dovey :love::love:View attachment 110494View attachment 110495
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Aw I dont think you could split these two up! Its so tricky isnt it, we wondered if we could split our herd to find a friend for Tallulah, but its like a mad logic puzzle: Clover hates Tallulah, Tallulah likes Blodwen and Puggle, but Blodwen loves Clover, Theo loves Puggle and Blodwen and Piggle, Jezzy floof is fairly aloof and likes hoomans and dinner best but isnt keen on youngsters who run about, and Tallulah isnt keen on floofy fur...
Hope you find a solution!
 
Having just witnessed Christian nipping Dennis from behind when Dennis wasn't looking and also Dennis trying to get out of the space that Christian occupies as soon as he possibly can (and he has been doing for the last couple of weeks) I have come to the reluctant conclusion that I am just going to have to bite the bullet and split up my herd.😢. So from now on it's going to be Dennis and Betsy in one little herd and Christian, Velvet and Meg in the another little herd. Christian has made it quite obvious that he doesn't want to hang around with Dennis anymore. I know I have been lucky in the fact that 2 boys have got along sharing 3 girls for two and a half years.

Thanks for all your help everyone it has been very much appreciated xx
 
It must’ve been a very tough decision, but it’s for the best x
 
It’s a tough decision but I think you have made the right one x Hope it all bones to plan x
 
Thanks. It was a very tough decision especially as soon as I had divided the hutch and put Dennis in, I saw Betsy licking Velvet's eyes those two have had a really strong bond from day one and I feel awful having to split them up. Dennis already seems happier without being on constant alert for Christian.
 
Sounds like the boys definitely needed their own separate space. Hope things settle down now you’ve split the herd.
 
I cried the night I had to split Eddi and Lucy - they were brother and sister, and just adored each other.
I felt awful and was convinced they would never get over it, but I put Oreo with Eddi becasue Lucy was the only one that Ruby ever really tolerated.

And in the end Eddi and Oreo had the most amazing relationship I have ever witnessed in 2 guinea pigs.
They became truly inseparable and were always together.

Eddi also always loved Lucy and they would interact through the bars which was nice, but in hindsight Eddi and Oreo living as a pair allowed their relationship to blossom.
It's a shame the same can't be said for Ruby and Lucy.....
 
Can’t offer any help as I have no herd experience however my boys have to live separately. It’s not ideal cage size wise but Chunk attacked Reggie so it just wasn’t safe to leave them together. In hindsight (we were new piggie owners) there was a LOT of chattering and Reggie did take himself off upstairs to sleep out the way. Whatever decision you make will be in their best interests, fingers crossed they all settle whatever you decide 🤞🏻😊
 
It sounds like you've done everything you can, but if they're not getting along then they're not getting along. Hope the change goes smoothly.
 
Tangle said:
It sounds like you've done everything you can, but if they're not getting along then they're not getting along. Hope the change goes smoothly.
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Thanks. Dennis seemed a bit brighter this morning. It'll take a while for him to realise that Christian isn't constantly chasing him and he can relax now.
 
Betsy said:
When I went to give the piggies their dinner of veg and put the snugglesafes in, Dennis was obviously much happier. His eyes were brighter and he was more alert than he has been in a few weeks. :) It was obvious now that he was unhappy.
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Well done @Betsy for spotting the signs. Hope that Dennis will now flourish without the threat of Christian in his space.
 
Glad Dennis has cheered up and hope your girls are adjusting well to the new living arrangements! Seems like it was the right decision :)
 
I'm sorry it has come to this Jackie,but you have made the correct decision if Dennis seems brighter.a very hard decision for you.:hug:
 
I'm glad Denis is happy now. I am sure you have done the right thing. It realy upset me when I had to seperate Caspy and Red but Caspy perked up as soon as he realised Red couldn't get to him through the barrier. He's such a confident little piggy now, it all worked out in the end.
 
It was a heart wrenching thing to do to split my piggies but now I'm so glad I did. Dennis is a much happier boy now without his bully of a brother around and last night when I went out a veg time, Dennis was actually POPCORNING! :) I've not seen him do that in a long while.

Christian is happier too without being on constant guard that Dennis will steal his ladies. He always got on better with Velvet and Meg than Betsy anyway. There is so much less tension than there was before. But I didn't notice it as it was so gradual then when there is none it was obvious it was there if that makes sense.
 
I am so glad that you have a happy Dennis again. Piggies can be very subtle and sly in their behaviour, especially when it comes to bullying. Unless you can observe them 24 hours a day you can only look for obvious signs of an issue. When the subtle signs became apparent you acted and have clearly done the right thing. Well done x
 
VickiA said:
I am so glad that you have a happy Dennis again. Piggies can be very subtle and sly in their behaviour, especially when it comes to bullying. Unless you can observe them 24 hours a day you can only look for obvious signs of an issue. When the subtle signs became apparent you acted and have clearly done the right thing. Well done x
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Thanks Vicki.
 
It was heartbreaking when i had to split my two male gerbils up because one almost killed the othet. Now they are the healthiest happiest looking ive seen them😁. But they shouldnt be kept alone😣. Its working out though.

Glad Dennis is ok
 
So pleased the split has worked out well for them all, sounds like it was definitely the right thing to do. Hopefully all calm for you and the piggies now :)
 
Glad everything is going better now, and that they’re all happier x
 
Aw, it sounds like it’s been the best thing for everyone x you can sleep sound now too x
 
I've only just seen this, but so pleased you followed your gut instinct and noticed the signs they were showing you. Really glad Dennis seems happier, that must be such a huge relief.
 
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