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Will Bertie Ever Stop Humping?

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Fi_and_Craig

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My gorgeous guinea pig, Bertie, is around 14 months old. He used to live with his hyperactive brother Flash, until their hormones kicked in and they started to hate each other.

Now that they are much older, I am trying to get them back together as I would love for them to have more company.

Yesterday I put them in the bath with a towel down. I added carrot, hay and a watchful eye! They seemed to get on fine. There was a bit of rumbling, but nothing serious.

So after around 3 or 4 hours (I ended up doing my essays on the bathroom floor!) I decided to put them in the guinea pig palace (a huge house we built them with high sides).

I closed off all the sections where they may get trapped- added tunnels, food, treats and everything that would make them happy. They ate away and chuntered to each other all evening. Then when the food had run out, I added a bit more, but they weren't interested. Bertie started humping Flash- and just wouldn't stop! The teeth chattering started (nothing too serious) and Bertie would not leave Flash alone. My partner Craig then came home, and was rather upset that the guinea pigs were torturing each other, so then put a regular cage lid in over one of the pigs, so that they could both see each other, but could not kill each other overnight.

They are now free to hump in the palace, without the cage lid. I cannot hear any serious noises, just a bit of rumbling and chuntering chatty noises.

Will Bertie ever stop humping Flash? Will they ever get on?

I would love to see the brothers back together, so please lend me your suggestions!

It might be nice to add here that we also have a wonderfully well behaved white crested boar called Vladamir, who we had from Suzygpr. He is a little sensitive, so cannot join in the bonding fun :)

Thank you in advance :)

Fi
 
Hi Fi, welcome to the forum. :)

It does seem a tricky one to call when teeth chattering is involved but I have to say, you're doing everything exactly as I would advise and from the sounds of things, it's not too bad. The mounting/humping might last a few days, normal dominance behaviour, just keep a close eye and ear on them and make sure they are both allowing each other to eat.

Fingers crossed things settle down!
 
Yay! My first reply! Thank you :D

Yes, all is quiet at the moment on the Western Front. They just went through an awful stage yesterday evening where Bertie wouldn't stop chasing and humping Flash, and Flash started to get a bit fed up.

They have plenty of food to keep them distracted at the moment, but this won't last forever- am hoping they will chill out soon!

I would like them to love each other sooner rather than later as we have a huge guinea pig palace and 3 single cages at the moment. We are moving in the near future to a smaller place, which means less room. If we can get them into pairs before then, that would be an advantage. I know that is a selfish reason!

Please be forthcoming with the suggestions :) x
 
Hi Fi and welcome to the best piggy place to hang out - I'm sure you'll get loads of support in addition to mine. Do take a bit of time to look around the site - loads of fabby pics and pigs. Shed loads of good info too. Speak soon.

Suzy x
 
Suzy! I hope you have received my bundles of emails with the pictures :)

Yes, it seems as though I am spending far too much time on here already. If I fail this essay, I blame you! :p

Boys are sleeping at the moment- yay! Vladdy is munching, bless.

Fi x
 
Not Humping- Now Just Ignoring!

Hello Everyone!

The boys have been together now for around 3 or 4 days and it appears to be going well....

BUT Bertie is ignoring Flash completely and Flash ignoring Bertie. I would rather they did this than hump, but I am worried that they are simply putting up with each other and they aren't happy.

Any thoughts? Is anyone a Guinea Pig Cupid?
 
Hi Fi

I've been upto my eyes today cleaning out and bathing piggies. Got all the pics - ta! Having some timeout in their own space is good - one alternative is the humping turns to fighting and that hasn't happened so I think just give the boys some time and they should start enjoying each others company. Get them excited by popping in some grass for them to share.

Suzy x
 
All sounds ok so far..........keep holding your breath until you've seen them happily side by side, but so far it doesn't sound bad!
 
This is why I had to seperate my two, Max started humping poor Sammy when he got too 5 months and wouldn't stop. Now when I try to put them back together for 5 minutes he just won't stop and Sammy gets angry so I have to take him out. Max is 8 months now.
 
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