Thinking of getting another guinea - are introductions hard?

dora37

We have 2 guinea girls about 6 months old and am thinking about getting another.

The thing that puts me off is though I have done some research regarding introductions - a rescue person I spoke to last week said it could be hard introducing another girl to 2 established ones.

Whilst I have read to introduce them on neutral territory and to clean the house out with a vinegar solution - can anybody give me advice as to whether I should just stick with the 2 who are happy, rather than cause potential animosity?

Thanks

clutterydrawer

Could you adopt one from a rescue on the proviso that if they don't get on, you can give it back?

It would be nice to offer a guinea a home but awkward if you end up having to keep them separate.

I don't keep guineas myself but beleive they can be similar to rabbits in that some get on, and some don't. I've always introduced my rabbits to potential partners with an arrangement of no obligation to keep the new one if it doesnt work out.

Swans1912

I keep two male guineas which don't get on with each other and we had no choice but to separate them.

Introducing another GP is NOT easy! You must keep them in separate cages and introduce them in a space away from their cage. Introductions will take as long as they need too - weeks and maybe even months!

UKTigerlily

I'm no expert but maybe they'd accept a castrated male better than another girl? Also, would any rescues let you take yours there to meet the new one? So you can see how they are on neutral territory

moggylover

I think the "take it back if it doesn't settle in" system is quite a good idea if it can be arranged.

However, it tends to be entirely dependant upon your particular guineas - I have had loads of them and they were always perfectly happy to be swapped about and have additions to the family etc., but just occasionally you would get one or two who did not get on very well at first. As I had several cages I would just swap them around until the newcomer found someone she liked who liked her and then it was okay - more difficult if you only have the one cage and one pair though.

Could you consider another cage and getting another pair instead of just another one?

In my experience the majority of females are perfectly happy to live in large groups and accept newcomers as long as they are not overcrowded - so I think you will find it is trial or error.

Good luck - they are lovely little characters and I miss mine.