Size: Cage Size/Shape Question

[EvelynsCavies]

So I think I've decided on redoing my existing 2x4 to a 3x6. I have a picture to give a visual. Does it look like an ok habitat? I know it's boring but my piggies would be thrilled with all the extra space.

*I know the drawing isn't perfect in any which way, shape or form, but I hacked it together mid-dinner making so it'll do

[Rnd210]

It looks to me that you intend to build a 3x6 grid cage with a 3x3 grid loft. If that is right thats, great and really big. How many piggies would be living in this space?

[EvelynsCavies]

I have two 2x4 cages right now. One houses a pregnant female (acquired her pregnant from a pet store) and the other houses another female and her 2 pups. I'm not sure how many of the babies I will keep and how many I will find homes for, but max I'd put 4 pigs in each of the proposed 3x6 with 2x3 upper cages. (I will be making 2 of them)

[Rnd210]

Is there a reason why the two females are seperated? Pregnant females can be housed together and infact the other female will be helpful with each others babies.

3x6 can house up to 8 females or up to 7 males.

[lissie]

3x6 is a really nice size. The loft might be too big though. It will be hard to clean underneath.

[EvelynsCavies]

Originally Posted by lissie

3x6 is a really nice size. The loft might be too big though. It will be hard to clean underneath.

The floor space of the loft will actually only be 2x3 (I'm extending the "roof" out to 3x3 to accommodate the ramp). Otherwise you're right, it would be incredibly hard to clean.

I would have loved to have the females together but Guinea and Princess do NOT get along, after many attempts I have given up. I have even tried as recently as this week to join them (after Guinea's babies were born) hoping Guinea would enjoy the extra "help" with the pups but she wouldn't stand for Princess to be in her cage.

[lissie]

Originally Posted by EvelynsCavies

.. she wouldn't stand for Princess to be in her cage.

How did you introduce them? If you just put Princess in Guinea's cage it won't work. You should introduce them on neutral territory where all the pigs have never been to. Once they get along, then you can move them into the cage. Before moving them in, you'll have to wipe everything (including grids, coroplast, water bottle, food dishes, hidey houses) out with vinegar water so there is no scent of any pig in the cage so they won't get territorial.

Have you seen this page: Guinea Pigs Social Life ?
What you thought of them fighting might be normal dominance behavior.

Safe, non-combative, dominance behavior
Rumblestrutting
Butt sniffing
Butt nudging
Chasing
Butt dragging (they are leaving their scent)
Mounting (any which way: rear mount, head mount, side mount, flying leap mount!)
Nose face-offs (higher in the air wins, one must lower their nose to be subservient to the other)
Teeth chattering: a little (signal of dominance)
Raised hackles (hair on the back of the neck and along the spine)

Posturing for possible attack, battle for dominance is escalating
Teeth chattering: sustained (signal of anger, aggression, warning)
Nips, light bites, may result in little tufts of fur in their teeth
Wide yawn, but this is no yawn, they are showing their teeth
Snorting (like a strong puff or hiss)

There are helpful threads on Guinea Lynx that will also help with intros.
http://www.guinealynx.info/records/viewtopic.php?t=37

[EvelynsCavies]

Originally Posted by lissie

How did you introduce them? If you just put Princess in Guinea's cage it won't work. You should introduce them on neutral territory where all the pigs have never been to. Once they get along, then you can move them into the cage. Before moving them in, you'll have to wipe everything (including grids, coroplast, water bottle, food dishes, hidey houses) out with vinegar water so there is no scent of any pig in the cage so they won't get territorial.

Have you seen this page: Guinea Pigs Social Life ?
What you thought of them fighting might be normal dominance behavior.



There are helpful threads on Guinea Lynx that will also help with intros.
http://www.guinealynx.info/records/viewtopic.php?t=37

Initially I tried to introduce them during floor time. I've also tried the "clean/neutral" cage method. Guinea wouldn't let Princess out of the corner and would chase and bite her every time she tried. Guinea "barely" got along with the pig I adopted along with her that had been housed together for years. Sadly she's not a very friendly/sociable piggy.