Dom R
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi Community,
I'm not really sure on what to do exactly about this situation, but I'll start off by explaining how it was set up before, and how it is set up now, this will take quite a bit of explaining, as so much has happened and what not.
Firstly, I have three boars, as stated in the title. Peanut, Ash and Rodney. Peanut was the first guinea pig I had in a while, and was paired with Fudge, who unfortunately passed away about 1.5 years ago to an abscess bursting or something along those lines (He was, and seemed okay the night before, there was some issues with him but nothing I expected to go downhill that quickly). And because Peanut was never by himself, and he would've been approximately 7-8 months old (I got him in October and Fudge passed away in March).
Because of the passing of Fudge, and after I let him say his final goodbye (I held fudge after he had passed so that Peanut knew what had happened), which I later read up is the good and better thing to do, which is what I guess would be some closure to the situation). I also did this just so Peanut would know, and I would feel bad knowing that he wouldn't know what happened to Fudge. After this, Peanut quickly became depressed, laying in the corner all day without any movement, and with it happening the same day and or the next day, I knew that there wasn't enough time to wait for an adoption (The main local rescue - Cavy Corner) had a waiting list of either a few weeks to a month for Boar bonding, which I knew was too long of a wait for Peanut, so because of what pet shops are like, they requested for me to buy another cage, which I did (Both cages are now in storage as they are way too small for the pigs now). Which is where I got Ash, and Peanut and Ash bonded pretty much instantly (I did put them in the same cage, but split it in half so they could meet each other), and because Ash was in a new area, and that is what he is like; he was extremely scared.
Soon after I got Ash, in the May, because I had a spare, empty cage, I adopted Rodney from the rescue above; and everything was going well (although Ash did bully Rodney during floor time, but it was nothing major and was controlled by me). Which comes up to probably around a month ago, where I found some panels similar to the C&C panels for a really good price, so I bought some in mind of having the three in a large area on the floor (Ash did calm down quite a bit with Rodney, so I thought nothing would happen). Which is where the issue started, I somewhat stupidly had them in that on my floor for a few hours, possibly longer, and nothing major happened, until it was time to pop them back in their cages. Because Rodney was a neighbouring guinea pig, and I don't believe he was included in the hierarchy. What I believe happened is that because I had them on the floor together for quite a while, and with him being more dominant than Rodney, I believe it gave him the extra confidence to take on Peanut; which he wasn't too fond of.
This is where the fighting started, constant chattering of teeth, chasing each other (There was never any major injuries, a slight cut on Peanut's lip and that's it). The reason why I separated them is because they wouldn't stop fighting and chasing, to the point where Peanut would just sit on the second level of the cage, and not budge (Obviously showing distress and him being uncomfortable being around Ash). So I made a double-layered cage with the panels I bought and popped Peanut in it; I eventually tested Rodney and Peanut together and they live together pretty much perfectly.
I then, as a really early christmas present, got more of the panels from the same seller, and built a 4 storey cage for all three pigs (With Ash having two layers to himself). This is where I am looking for advice on the possible outcomes. Ash has always been one of the dreaded bar biters, although this behaviour was never really shown until I built this cage for him. I believe he's getting jealous of Peanut and Rodney being together (please note he does have constant hay and a bowl of pellets readily available, and cardboard tunnels for him to nibble), but he pretty much constantly nibbles the bars. Is this more than likely because he is by himself (He's right above the other two, so he can still communicate).
My parents are slowly warming to the fact that we may need to (Although we didn't really want to), get another guinea pig for Ash (It's nothing urgent so adoption is the way I am wanting to go). Because of this I am thinking of these two situations:
Firstly, I am thinking of the possibility of getting a Sow with Ash (I would get him neutered firstly and wait around 6-8 weeks). But my main worry is the fact that Peanut and Rodney would be able to detect her scent and it could spike an increase of testosterone (or others), and cause an issue between them, and possibly cause other new behaviours. Please note that Ash is a really fussy guinea pig, which I believe would allow him to pick a female much easier and live in better harmony.
Secondly is the opposite, to not get Ash neutered and see if he will bond with another male, which wouldn't cause any issues for Peanut and Rodney.
Sorry for the rambling, I just like to over explain situations and how it got to them, I appreciate any of you who read this, and I also appreciate any of you replying with which is the best way to go, I have talked to the rescue, but I like to get opinions from multiple people to help my decision.
Thanks again,
- Dom.
I'm not really sure on what to do exactly about this situation, but I'll start off by explaining how it was set up before, and how it is set up now, this will take quite a bit of explaining, as so much has happened and what not.
Firstly, I have three boars, as stated in the title. Peanut, Ash and Rodney. Peanut was the first guinea pig I had in a while, and was paired with Fudge, who unfortunately passed away about 1.5 years ago to an abscess bursting or something along those lines (He was, and seemed okay the night before, there was some issues with him but nothing I expected to go downhill that quickly). And because Peanut was never by himself, and he would've been approximately 7-8 months old (I got him in October and Fudge passed away in March).
Because of the passing of Fudge, and after I let him say his final goodbye (I held fudge after he had passed so that Peanut knew what had happened), which I later read up is the good and better thing to do, which is what I guess would be some closure to the situation). I also did this just so Peanut would know, and I would feel bad knowing that he wouldn't know what happened to Fudge. After this, Peanut quickly became depressed, laying in the corner all day without any movement, and with it happening the same day and or the next day, I knew that there wasn't enough time to wait for an adoption (The main local rescue - Cavy Corner) had a waiting list of either a few weeks to a month for Boar bonding, which I knew was too long of a wait for Peanut, so because of what pet shops are like, they requested for me to buy another cage, which I did (Both cages are now in storage as they are way too small for the pigs now). Which is where I got Ash, and Peanut and Ash bonded pretty much instantly (I did put them in the same cage, but split it in half so they could meet each other), and because Ash was in a new area, and that is what he is like; he was extremely scared.
Soon after I got Ash, in the May, because I had a spare, empty cage, I adopted Rodney from the rescue above; and everything was going well (although Ash did bully Rodney during floor time, but it was nothing major and was controlled by me). Which comes up to probably around a month ago, where I found some panels similar to the C&C panels for a really good price, so I bought some in mind of having the three in a large area on the floor (Ash did calm down quite a bit with Rodney, so I thought nothing would happen). Which is where the issue started, I somewhat stupidly had them in that on my floor for a few hours, possibly longer, and nothing major happened, until it was time to pop them back in their cages. Because Rodney was a neighbouring guinea pig, and I don't believe he was included in the hierarchy. What I believe happened is that because I had them on the floor together for quite a while, and with him being more dominant than Rodney, I believe it gave him the extra confidence to take on Peanut; which he wasn't too fond of.
This is where the fighting started, constant chattering of teeth, chasing each other (There was never any major injuries, a slight cut on Peanut's lip and that's it). The reason why I separated them is because they wouldn't stop fighting and chasing, to the point where Peanut would just sit on the second level of the cage, and not budge (Obviously showing distress and him being uncomfortable being around Ash). So I made a double-layered cage with the panels I bought and popped Peanut in it; I eventually tested Rodney and Peanut together and they live together pretty much perfectly.
I then, as a really early christmas present, got more of the panels from the same seller, and built a 4 storey cage for all three pigs (With Ash having two layers to himself). This is where I am looking for advice on the possible outcomes. Ash has always been one of the dreaded bar biters, although this behaviour was never really shown until I built this cage for him. I believe he's getting jealous of Peanut and Rodney being together (please note he does have constant hay and a bowl of pellets readily available, and cardboard tunnels for him to nibble), but he pretty much constantly nibbles the bars. Is this more than likely because he is by himself (He's right above the other two, so he can still communicate).
My parents are slowly warming to the fact that we may need to (Although we didn't really want to), get another guinea pig for Ash (It's nothing urgent so adoption is the way I am wanting to go). Because of this I am thinking of these two situations:
Firstly, I am thinking of the possibility of getting a Sow with Ash (I would get him neutered firstly and wait around 6-8 weeks). But my main worry is the fact that Peanut and Rodney would be able to detect her scent and it could spike an increase of testosterone (or others), and cause an issue between them, and possibly cause other new behaviours. Please note that Ash is a really fussy guinea pig, which I believe would allow him to pick a female much easier and live in better harmony.
Secondly is the opposite, to not get Ash neutered and see if he will bond with another male, which wouldn't cause any issues for Peanut and Rodney.
Sorry for the rambling, I just like to over explain situations and how it got to them, I appreciate any of you who read this, and I also appreciate any of you replying with which is the best way to go, I have talked to the rescue, but I like to get opinions from multiple people to help my decision.
Thanks again,
- Dom.
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