Bonding male guinea pigs- any tips or reassurance?

[hairycabbage]

We bought two male guinea pigs today ages 9 weeks and researched how to bond them but I'd really love some reassurance in what we're doing so far...
Since bringing them home around midday we've had them in a neutral space (empty run in kitchen with hay and some greens). They chased each other a little to begin with and there was some teeth chattering but nothing serious. Both are eating well and inquisitive about goings on. We're now 6 hours in and they've both had a nap/ quiet time but there's still the odd bit of 'tame' chasing and chattering and they aren't spending time in the same space (although have eaten from the same bowl together).They can stay in the run overnight if need be- does anyone know if that would be more sensible than moving them into their permanent setup tonight? Does this sound like normal behaviour or is it still too tense?
How do you know if bonding has been successful?!
Apologies for all the questions... piggy newbie!

[treeeeemendous]

It's been a while but when I bonded a pair (existing piggie and a new rescue) I kept them in different cages and then put two runs outside next to each other, so that for a couple of weeks they were both in their own run/cage but could see each other. They used to go up to the other one but obviously couldn't reach them. When I then introduced them about ten days in they were fine. May have been luck though ...

[hairycabbage]

Thanks. They're now in the 'house' together snoozing so it seems ok but I'm just anxious about moving too quickly!

[Thatnameistaken]

You're doing all the right things and it sounds like its going well. Boars need plenty of space, and hides should have two exits so no-one can get cornered.
You can expect rumble strutting and a bit of humping to carry on for a few days but it will pieter out. Only separate in the event of sustained chattering and lunging, anything else is just piggy politics.

[hairycabbage]

Thank you. All was ok overnight so moving them to their permanent home today. Still some mild grumbling and chasing but fingers crossed they stay friends!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Ahh they sound lovely . Are they brothers or same age non related ?
They're still babies so should gel nicely . The Terrible Teens starts abut 12-16 weeks so keep a look out .
At the moment they're nervous and in the process of getting to know you and their new abode .

Lots of space for boars , they might want to sit together but they need to be able to have space .
Two bowls Two bottles
If you give them houses , you need two doors (cardboard boxes are Piggy Heaven, cut two doors so one cannot trap the other)

Keep them interested by moving things , giving new toys ( paper bag , tunnel , big pile of hay)

Get yourself a bottle of shampo from Gorgeous Guineas , a nice strong scented one for if they need a Bonding Bath .If they do get the hump with each other a nice scented PigWash will make them smell neutral and put them in a sulk with you so they'll bond together in solidarity and plan your downfall. (They'll pee on you not murder you in your sleep )
Don't use a human shampoo , needs to be petsafe . I used Cedar and Lemongrass for bonding , they smelled lush .

One of your pigs will be Alpha and once they've sorted themselves its a nice relationship .
I had adult brothers and they did have a bit of a strop (the little one caused it) but we sorted it
Then we got a piglet to bond with the bereaved adult (he was thrilled) but happy to let the piglet take over when he grew (huge!)
There was some rumbling and Trying It On when he was 6 months but we did the bath and scrubbed their house and new boxes/bedding .


The only bonding I've failed with was two sows (pair) who didn't want to live with my trio . (GP8 was a tardy little varmint !)


Now , you know the Price of Advice ?
Pigtures