Dominance Two Females chasing away new baby guinea pig

[pjay240]

Today, I introduced Abby, my new gpig, to Adele and Snowball. The introductions went well. They are all female. I followed the rules put them in "neutral territory", etc. Then I finally put Abby into the cage. But, every time I see Abby coming near Adele or Snowball. They chase her and scare her away. For instance, Abby was trying to get to the hay rack, but Adele chased her away. Abby isn't showing any dominance behavior. She seems scared to be near Adele or Snowball. Please Help! I'm afraid Abby won't be able to eat due to the chasing.

 

[bpatters]

THE hay rack? You need at least two, maybe three. There needs to be hay that Abby can get to and that the others can't block. You may also need three servings of veggies, and three water bottles, depending on how aggressive Snowball is.

You also need at least three hideys, preferably four, each with an entrance AND an exit. Towels or fleece draped in the corners will work fine, as will upside-down shoe boxes with doors cut into the ends.

Also, how large is your cage?

 

[pjay240]

I have 2x4 but I'm planning to upgrade soon. Adele and Snowball never had problems before Abby.

 

[pjay240]

Anybody else there?? PLEASE THIS IS URGENT.

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

Bpatters is right. I'd also upgrade the cage ASAP to reduce aggression.

Did you clean the cage and accessories with vinegar before you put all three together?

 

[pjay240]

I didn't know you should do that... thanks sooo much for the info. I really appreciate. In fact right now I'm gonna do that. I have one question: I have a snack shack log, isn't it bad to get that wet?

 

[schavarry]

I have 2x4 but I'm planning to upgrade soon. Adele and Snowball never had problems before Abby.

you need a bigger cage for 3 pigs than you do with 2 (even if the new pig is a baby!)

do what bpatters told you, add extra hay racks/food bowls & water bottles! if you can't get a second hay rack right away, put some in a paper bag or just pile it on the floor so she doesn't starve!

 

[schavarry]

ps. is your cage baby proofed so the baby doesn't get her head stuck?

 

[bpatters]

I have 2x4 but I'm planning to upgrade soon. Adele and Snowball never had problems before Abby.

Forget what Adele and Snowball did. You've added a third pig, the old relationships are dead.

Then I finally put Abby into the cage.

How long after you put the other two in did you add Abby? I'd have either put Abby in first, or put them all in together. If you let any of them establish their scents in the cage before you add a new pig, you're inviting the new one to be harassed.

And how many people do you need to have answer a question, anyway?

 

[pinky]

I have three females in a 2x5 and it's tight squeeze since one is dominant. A 2x4 is too small for three of them.

 

[pjay240]

Thanks for all the help! I'm currently upgrading my cage to a 2x5, literally right now. This thread was really helpful! Also, Abby is already 3 months old. Does the cage still need baby proofing?

 

[Crystalkate]

Yes it still needs baby proofing.

 

[pinky]

So right! When I had only one cavy in a 2x4 cage, I thought the cage was huge. Now that I have two in the cage, I'm already thinking that they will probably need to be upgraded to a 2x5....especially since it appears that 3 mo. old Maya is going to be a big girl.

OK, I'll bite..........why would the cage need to be babyproofed? My cavies come in contact with only coroplast. There is literally no place for them to come in contact with the grids.

Some people have low coroplast sides and the guinea pigs can stick their heads through the exposed grids. Even a ramp with grid sides can pose a risk to a young one.

 

[Crystalkate]

bpatters just answered the same question to someone else last week. She said baby proofing until they are 6 months. That is a big difference than 3 months old.

And Lissie the moderated said the coroplast needs to be at least 10 inches.
https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/72938/

 

[pinky]

No, all that is pretty obvious. I actually was objecting to CrystalKate's blanket statement of "yes it still needs baby proofing" without any consideration of the size of the cavies. Maya is just three months old and no way would her head fit through the grids. Anyway, no grid ramps at our house.....I experimented with them and hated them.

I took out my ramp and second level completely..... I did a guinea pig pick up at our local animal control one time. I brought produce boxes along that had small ventilation holes. One got it's head caught. We had to tear away the cardboard because it was stuck. I never imagined it could fit its big head in the hole. Sometimes it might not look like they can fit their head through an opening, but if they're determined, they might be able to. A different one got out of one of the boxes but we found it.

 

[pinky]

Right again! I recently had someone jump on me for making/using a C&C cage and relating a story about one of her cavies getting its head caught and her having to extricate it with vegetable oil spray. I still wonder why the cavy was in direct contact with the grid?

It seems like a no-brainer to me. Either double the grids in a staggered fashion, or use some small mesh until they are large enough for it not to be an issue.

I don't think it's a no-brainer. I think the issue is that many people don't realize that a large head can squeeze into a smaller opening or that they can climb on something to gain access to the grids. I don't think anyone would intentionally put their guinea pig in harm's way and that's why it's important to keep warning people about the potential danger.