Bonding New friends. Are they happy?

[Laherne]

Good evening,

I've rescued two seperate guinea pigs. One is 8 months old and the other Is 2 months old- both from different homes.
The two boys met for the first time In a set up tent area free from scent. The older boy chased the baby and tried to mount him many times but eventually gave up as baby kept getting away. Today the older boy is doing is vibration dance everytime baby comes near and then laying down next to him as if to protect him from us. The pair are so sweet together but is the older one being kind or a bully by laying himself totally near the baby? There has been little noises from either only the vibration from older boy and a tiny squeak from the baby. I'm worried they are not happy! Obviously it's all very new to the both still but any advice welcome.
Thanks for your time

 

[GuineaPigParent36]

It may take some time for them to get used to each other. The older boar is still around puberty age so he’s more hormonal which could explain the mounting. The rumble strutting is normal also for new pairs.

A couple months ago I bonded my boar to a baby and it took a few weeks for him to calm down and adjust. After that a lot of people say it can take months for them to fully adjust; most pigs are still content during this time though. Unless they are biting and there is blood drawn there isn’t any need to separate.

When the baby gets to around six months there’s a chance some tension could arise when the baby goes into puberty but again unless blood is drawn there is no need to separate and you can offer more hides, more water/food stations, hides with 2+ entrances etc. This is still months away though so no need to worry about them yet, it just may take a little bit longer for them to fully adjust.

From the picture it looks like they are happy so I think they are going to be alright and them wanting to be near each other like that is a super positive sign.

 

[Laherne]

It may take some time for them to get used to each other. The older boar is still around puberty age so he’s more hormonal which could explain the mounting. The rumble strutting is normal also for new pairs.

A couple months ago I bonded my boar to a baby and it took a few weeks for him to calm down and adjust. After that a lot of people say it can take months for them to fully adjust; most pigs are still content during this time though. Unless they are biting and there is blood drawn there isn’t any need to separate.

When the baby gets to around six months there’s a chance some tension could arise when the baby goes into puberty but again unless blood is drawn there is no need to separate and you can offer more hides, more water/food stations, hides with 2+ entrances etc. This is still months away though so no need to worry about them yet, it just may take a little bit longer for them to fully adjust.

From the picture it looks like they are happy so I think they are going to be alright and them wanting to be near each other like that is a super positive sign.

Hiya, thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

I did wonder If I'd need to get the older boy neutered . I just didn't want to leave the baby alone being so young, especially as there is no fighting.
They are both eating and drinking fine but very nervous when we are around. I'm sure it will take some time. I really hope they can get close with each other