Post by katy on Sept 20, 2012 16:05:02 GMT
Hi,
I have two boars, from the same litter and who have been living in the same cage prior to their introduction, but I bought the second boy 2 days after the first.
I've been reading about guinea pig pairing on loads of websites but I'm worried about their behaviour and I want information that's specific to this case so I can be sure.
The first gp, Jamie, really came out of his shell in those 2 days I had him. He's very little. Then I bought the new one, who I haven't named yet, and he's bigger but the same age (4 months). I introduced them on neutral territory and Jamie was super excited and decided to be dominant over him. There are absolutely no signs of attack but he is nipping his fur out and eating it!
It hurts the new boy and I'm worried he'll be bullied. I'm also worried I've given Jamie an unfair advantage because he's used to my room, whereas the new one doesn't know me or my room.
Other things Jamie is doing:
Is this behaviour ok? I'm thinking of seperating them into 2 cages where they can see each other and getting to know the new gp to settle him down before trying again in the new cage. But I don't want it to cause more dispute when they meet again!
Any thoughts? Should I seperate them until the new gp is settled? And is the fur pulling a warning, a bad sign, or a very bad sign?
Thanks in advance!
I have two boars, from the same litter and who have been living in the same cage prior to their introduction, but I bought the second boy 2 days after the first.
I've been reading about guinea pig pairing on loads of websites but I'm worried about their behaviour and I want information that's specific to this case so I can be sure.
The first gp, Jamie, really came out of his shell in those 2 days I had him. He's very little. Then I bought the new one, who I haven't named yet, and he's bigger but the same age (4 months). I introduced them on neutral territory and Jamie was super excited and decided to be dominant over him. There are absolutely no signs of attack but he is nipping his fur out and eating it!
It hurts the new boy and I'm worried he'll be bullied. I'm also worried I've given Jamie an unfair advantage because he's used to my room, whereas the new one doesn't know me or my room.
Other things Jamie is doing:
- Pushing him
- Going under the new gp's chin and trying to push it up
- Rumblestrutting, no mounting though
- The nipping of fur I mentioned
- Nibbling his ear
Is this behaviour ok? I'm thinking of seperating them into 2 cages where they can see each other and getting to know the new gp to settle him down before trying again in the new cage. But I don't want it to cause more dispute when they meet again!
Any thoughts? Should I seperate them until the new gp is settled? And is the fur pulling a warning, a bad sign, or a very bad sign?
Thanks in advance!