Not sure new guinea pigs are happy

[tartiflette]

I finally relented after years of the DC begging for guinea pigs. There were absolutely none at rescues for miles around after a lot of trying and waiting (maybe because of lockdown, who knows), and in the end I went to a breeder and we brought home 3 nine week old little guinea girls the week before Christmas.

They are in a 4x2 C&C cage with a 2x1 loft indoors for now although we have got an outdoor cage for spring/summer hopefully. I think long term the 4x2 wouldn't be big enough, but they are still small for now.

Anyway my question really is about whether we should ignore them chasing, pinching food and squeaking at each other. I am totally ignorant of all this and really not a natural pet owner at all but determined to do right by them and make them a happy home...

After an extremely nervous start they will now feed from our hands which feels a major improvement.

Downstairs they're ok mostly I think; they have tunnels, a hidey box and various boxes to play in/with and they popcorn a bit which is adorable, although they do go completely bonkers every now and again and dash about as if they've been electrocuted

They seem particularly wriggly and squeaky with each other when they are all in their sleep box upstairs and often one will come shooting out one of the doors looking a bit disgruntled as if she's been bullied out.
They're under a big-ish upturned shoe box with two doors cut out, filled with hay (fresh hay daily). But it could be that it's too small or too low for them and that's not helping them get on iyswim.
DH thinks I'm being ridiculous. Should I sort them out with three separate snuggly sleep house thingies for up there, or should they really be sleeping snuggled up together and we need to let them sort themselves out?

There is a genuine chance I am projecting other anxieties onto these poor guinea pigs but do please advise if you can, oh wise ones!

I've always had Guinea pigs in pairs , it could be that "three is a crowd"?
Try removing one for half an hour into another box with hay and put in another room. Then see how the two that are left are together?
I had two dogs who got on great . One was an old mongrel, one was a young jack Russell .
We got a third dog, another jackrussell. Chaos ensued, the two jack's bullied the older dog, so 3 definitely was a crowd.
It was solved when my daughter moved out and took the newest dog with her and peace was resumed.

What sex are they? There seem to be different rules for different combinations. But it all sounds normal and it’s very early for them to have accepted eating from your hand.

There should be enough places for them to sleep separately, so 3-4 boxes, hidies, tunnels etc.

This website is fab: theguineapigforum.co.uk

We have 5 guinea pigs in a 8x4 c and c cage. I’ve had Guineas for years. Generally they will shout and squeak at each other initially especially boys - generally any more than 2 boys can be a bit of a disaster. We have 2 neutered boys and 3 girls. So your girls should be okay!

I think it’s always best to make sure each pig has their own house / space. And plenty of food bowls / water bottles. Make sure they don’t have to fight for anything. Give treats / veggies in several piles.

Make sure you have 3 girls! My friend got a 'girl' baby Guinea pig which turned out to be a boy and she had 2 pregnant sows. Other than that all sounds normal enough

It’s normal for them to have to sort out dominance.

Make sure they have big piles of hay to distract them, enough hides for each of them.

They will definitely need more space as this is a big factor in them getting along. For 3 females the minimum cage size is 10.5 sqft. This needs to be on one continuous level, any additional levels are extra and don’t count towards the minimum floor space.

Thank you all, this is reassuring and also interesting to hear about your experiences... I think I will provide 3 separate snuggly houses up top if there's no particular need for them to sleep together - then they have the option of alone time if needed.

Re surprise boys and babies - God I hope not! I think a trip to the vet may be due before too long once we're more confident handling them, for a check over and a nail trim (although if there had been a cock up with the sexing it would be too late anyway I guess )

They are such funny little creatures, we are loving getting to know them.

I would echo the squeaking and the like is quite normal. We had a few when the kids were small and they used to start with the squeaking as soon as they heard the back door open. My advice would be to handle them a lot - get them out to play as much as you like - as they really respond to humans and become more comfortable and entertaining the more you play. Enjoy!

One of them is definitely not happy today - she's doing the teeth chattering and chasing one of the others about, the other is yawning - it's a bit harrowing to watch.

Advice seems to be to keep them together unless they actually bite and draw blood?

Thought we were doing so well 😣

tartiflette Can I ask how you are getting on with bonding your guinea pigs please? I realise that it’s a month since you last posted but am interested if they are happier and now settled. I’m asking because I rescued 2 boars a fortnight ago and it has been quite stressful tbh! They are very worried if anyone approaches their house and when they are put in their run they are doing the chasing and chattering, which as you say, is very harrowing to watch. I contacted the rescue centre and they said it’s very early days yet and could take weeks for them to settle. I guess I’m just hoping that you can tell me that your pigs have made some progress. Thank you.

Nannew well, we were doing really well and had made a makeshift indoor run big enough for us to sit in, and they were coming up to us and putting front paws on our legs etc.... so far so good BUT ten days ago one of them came down with ringworm and despite starting treatment straight away, GP2 now has it too, GP3 still clear fingers firmly crossed... but this has put paid to handling for the time being as it's obviously highly contagious to us as well. The whole thing is an almighty palaver, with twice weekly baths in medicated shampoo - talk about a baptism of fire!!!

Anyway to get back to your question, I think we were pretty close to establishing a good relationship and being able to handle them ok, although I can't imagine them ever enjoying the act of being picked up. However I fear they will now hate us forever for putting them through this ordeal, and I'm not sure who is more traumatised by having to do these baths - us or them

Stick at it and persist with sitting close by, talking gently at them, bribing them with food (parsley and pea flakes are most popular treats here).
Let me know how you get on!