Instant friends! How to keep the peace

[pookczek]

We introduced Sally and Penny today - it went wayyyyy better than I could have ever expected. I was a little leary of what could happen (after reading the introductions page), but no worries were required. Sally, the older and dominant one (she's a bit pushy) just stood there and waited for Penny (3 months old - a pushover) to find her. Penny started to explore the bathroom, then she saw Sally.... high pitched wheek-wheek-wheek and determined skittering over to Sally. Sally just stood there... poised prominently. Butt sniffing, nose rubbing, then more butt sniffing.

Finally, Sally started leading Penny around the bathrooom. This continued into their normal floor time (in the living room/kitchen), but it was like a high speed locomotive. While they were ripping around during floor time, I cleaned the cage (where Sally was living alone) and put both girls in. Penny is frightened of the ramp, but I have seen Sally go up there (only once).

It's been 3 hours now - the girls are pooped (as am I). Now, for my question...

This is the first time that I've seen 2 piggies together. As they sit in their new home, pooped out, I hear one of them making a low pitched hooting-type noise. It's similar to the motor-growling that you hear when you pet one of them somewhere that they don't want to be petted, but it's not at the same pitch or intensity. It's almost like it's a coo-ing sound.

I know it's hard to understand exactly what the sound is like, but is this a bad thing that one of them is making the sound? Will it be safe for them to sleep in their new cage together? There are tonnes of hidey houses for them, so they can choose to either sleep alone or together.

What can I do to keep the peace between them?

 

[*Piglets-Angel*]

When I first introduced my boars, I was as suprised as you are, they were instant best buddys, and they made that same sound you are describing, the whole time, and I have NEVER seen them fight before, so I'm pretty sure its normal, and it sounds like, yes, they can sleep in the same cage together.
Best of luck to you,
~**Piglets-Angel**~

 

[pennick]

The sounds you are describing sounds more like chirping? If so that is a sign of contentment. If your piggies choose to sleep in the same house, then it sounds like your piggies are very happy together.

 

[pookczek]

sound files Re: Instant friends! How to keep the peace

I believe they did sleep in the same house last night.

Sally is very pushy, though - Penny was popcorning while I was giving them food this morning, and Sally started in with that sound again.

I did look around the net and found some guinea pig wav files. I really don't know which site I got these from, so I apologize up front if I'm violating anyone's copyright. If I am, please Message me and I'll take the wavs off.

Here's the (broken link removed) that I'm trying to link to a behaviour. Notice that it's of a different pitch than the (broken link removed).

So, is this mystery sound a bad sound?

 

[pennick]

I dont have sound at work so I cant hear it. Doesnt really matter though. Your girls will get along fine. My 2 girls exist with one another but are not overly attached. Will never sleep together unless they feel threatened when I'm trying to capture one. Penny my dominate one takes over the cage like the queen and pushes nickel around all the time. Always nose butting her or butt butting her. All in all they get along fine. One is always more dominant and will always be strutting her stuff. Its natural.

 

[kat_0521]

It sounds a bit like rumble-strutting. It's a dominance thing that Sally is displaying and she's basically telling Penny that she's higher up in the group. I'm going through the same thing you are now and used to hear that EXACT SAME SOUND on a daily basis. Complete with the tiny wheeks in the background.
It's perfectly normal.
Good luck with your 2 piggies.

 

[pookczek]

Oh, good! Thanks everyone for your comments. I'll stop worrying about that one, now.

Have I ever mentioned what a saving grace this forum has been? It's been so helpful to a newbie cavie-slave like me. Thanks for your continued patience

 

[sasha]

I think they will be fine, I got two new pigs, and one of them is still in quarantine because she came with a URI. The other one is healthy and vet checked, and ready to be introduced, but is only a baby. Since I forgot to ask the vet to recheck the sex, and don't want to drag the baby back and stress him/her out for no reason, he/she is staying in a cage next to Jane's. I figure, they can start to get to know one another, but not make babies, even though I am pretty sure that he/she is actually a she now, when I was originally leaning the other way.

Back to the subject at hand, Jane will rumblestrut when she sees the little one popcorn or run fast, almost like she is saying "what the heck is the matter with you kids these days" I was originally worried, because I'm 22 and these are the first pigs Ill be introducing myself, but it was really more funny than anything once I noticed that she only did it when the little one was active. My fiance suggested that Jane at 2 lbs 12 oz was simply saying "stop all that moving or they'll start expecting it of me!"

 

[pookczek]

They're doing great so far. I was rather anxious all day at work, convinced that I was going to come home to a bleeding pig. Silly me. They're best friends.

I think they will be fine, I got two new pigs, and one of them is still in quarantine because she came with a URI.

Awww - I really hope that your new piggie gets better soon!!!