Understanding my Guinea Pigs, Help?

[Katywampus]

Ok, this is my first post. These are my first guinea pigs.

We bought 1 male guinea pig about 3 weeks ago. He has been happy, and healthy, but he started biting - a lot. It had gotten so every time he had access to a hand he was biting, and HARD.

I went to the pet store where I bought him and discussed the behavior with the sales person. She told me there was a good chance Benny (our piggy) was under stimulated. Benny does spend a lot of time alone. After some discussion I decided to try getting Benny a male friend. I was warned this may not work.

I introduced them poorly. Then, when they started humping each other, I realized I really didn't know what to look for - aside from bleeding, and I would like to intervene BEFORE that point. I have read a lot of information that has been very helpful.

There were two teeth chattering episodes, where I separated them so they couldn't reach each other, but could still see each other.

So, the point. They are both in the cage. They are wheeping and chirping, Benny has pretty much taken to chasing and humping the new one, who runs some, but is allowing old Ben to hump him with nothing other then some chirping. They take a few breaks to eat, hang out, and then repeat.

If our new pig has to go back to the store I would very much like to do it BEFORE my son gets home from school (I have to go get him in 20mins)

There has been no teeth chattering for an hour, and, while they are being loud, they really don't seem to be being aggressive. Is it going to be ok if I leave these two (for 45mins) to go pick up my son? And does it sound like I've got a good shot at these two working it out? There has been no biting at all.

(edited to fix an autocorrect)

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

bump

 

[piggyfan]

This thread will really help you on how to bond boars.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=76162

Then this one will explain the behaviour
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

 

[Katywampus]

Thank you for the links! They were very helpful.

I also found http://www.jackiesguineapiggies.com/piggycare.html really helpful.

So, by the time it was time for me to leave they were curled up in the corner together.

They've been together all night, and seem to be doing well. There's lots of wheeking, but that's pretty much it at this point. Every time I go in the room Benny runs and hides behind our new one (who has been named Pumpkin for the holiday)

I don't have 2 of everything, so that's what i'm going to go pick up first thing tomorrow. Otherwise they seem to be doing well.

I suppose now only concern now would be that Pumpkin is just kind of freezing in one spot, and Benny keeps climbing behind him. I'm not sure if Pumpkin is just nervous/scared because of the new environment, or Benny is doing something I'm not seeing that scaring him.

It seems like though that aggression would be pretty obvious, right? The teeth chattering (which hasn't happened again) the head butting, or nose bumping, or biting. We had the chattering early on, but I separated them until they both calmed down, and it hasn't recurred. There was never any of the other stuff. Honestly, there wasn't much of anything that seems like it was aggressive.

The teeth chattering freaked me out (it was obviously not a happy sound) but from what I'm reading some of that is normal? The chasing was concerning me too, but it seems like everything I'm reading says that's pretty normal and not to worry. Otherwise, honestly, every time I go in there they're snuggled up together. This is good, right? and not some weird, "I'm going to sit on you" dominance thing?

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

There just working out whos boss basically do nt keep seperating then though unless they have a full blown fight then throw a towel over them and grab the nearest one and seperate. 2 males can be hard to bond but hopefully as your new baby is young your older male should take the dominant role and father the baby so to speak. Teethchattering and humping are all normal. To house two fully grown boars you need a very large cage to prevent territorial fighting, they need two of everything to prevent bullying-2 hidey holes- 2 bowls- 2 water bottles etc etc. if the humping etc is persistent for day on end this could be bullying and they mAy need to be seperated, good luck !