Another chance for Belle.

Well. It is a tad stressful and I'm just not sure tbh. I havent felt a need to split them yet. But the baby is submissive squeaking and belle has pushed her about a bit using her nose. Not biting or nipping, just forcing her nose into her to make her run.

Baby runs a short way and freezes.

That has been a good half hour now. Is this a sign they are working things out or is it failing?

I have lots of bits of film to upload. It is very different from my previous baby boar bondings where they have chased each other all over and then that has been it done.

This still looks tense as the baby looks scared.
 
Sounds good. Belles bossing the baby about, telling her firmly "i am the boss! “
 
They have been eating side by side and it seems less tense. I think it is looking hopeful. I have so much fim footage so will pick out some key bits20210316_134307.webp


Baby a bit scared here and has stopped eating that hay in her mouth but belle looks ok. They do keep coming together and there is eating and some chatty happy noises as well as the squeaking.
 
I was so keen to get neutral territory that i set up a pen well away from anywhere any pig has ever been before! Just by dividing off part of the kitchen
 
Thanks @Julie M - i thought it was ok but it is just so different from my other successful boar bonds, and given how belle has been before, it seemed to go on a long time like that. I was worried it just wasnt settling and that baby was going to become terrified of belle just as the other pigs tried have done.


Anyway - i have moved them into a proper cage (not the permanant one but a dog and cat safe one. And they are on dry clean fleece fresh washed with a bed and tunnel fresh washed too.

Nothing to get trapped in, everything has exits.

Baby is very lively. Belle is knackered 🤣


20210316_144423.webp


Belle is asleep there. Her eyes opened briefly for the camera!


Just need a name for this little one now . . .it isnt going to be "Baby" forever!
 
Bill & Ted said:
It’s really strange? Why would they fall out amongst themselves when they live happily together normally? I really was suprised by my experience with Posh and Ginger especially when Posh (top pig) took to Ted straight away? Ginger took a little while longer to except Ted but they became so close over the first few weeks. I just don’t understand them. I still feel that both of them would bond with Hector individually but not as a pair
Click to expand...

It happens when party gets stressed out during a bonding attempt and the stress comes down between the bonded pair instead of in the interaction with the new piggies (fear-agression, very much on the fear side as interaction with the new piggy is not wanted).
 
tabelmabel said:
Well. It is a tad stressful and I'm just not sure tbh. I havent felt a need to split them yet. But the baby is submissive squeaking and belle has pushed her about a bit using her nose. Not biting or nipping, just forcing her nose into her to make her run.

Baby runs a short way and freezes.

That has been a good half hour now. Is this a sign they are working things out or is it failing?

I have lots of bits of film to upload. It is very different from my previous baby boar bondings where they have chased each other all over and then that has been it done.

This still looks tense as the baby looks scared.
Click to expand...

Hi!

Dominance is very much on the mild side; it is perfectly normal for this stage. Your youngster is frightened but submissive. Place a blanket over the pen or at least part of the pen and just give them if necessary a day or even an overnighter in there. Breeder piggies from hutches often feel very exposed in an open pen or cage. Just leave them to get on so when you finally move them to the cage, the roughest bit of the bonding has been dealt with and the newbie is an accepted part of the group.
The baby is looking for an older 'teacher' piggy to take them on, support and teach them the intricacies of social behaviour and how to master their environment during the 'school weeks' between weaning and teenage. They are always extremely happy when they have found a protector as their survival chances will increase massively and their emotional wellbeing is secured.

Unfortunately, placing piggies next to each other like in your first picture won't necessarily give you a clear insight as the piggies are often frozen/prone to fear-aggressive over-reaction when put so close to each other without a chance to getting to know each other from a distance over a snack of hay or grass.
More on prey animal instincts: Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
 
That's great thanks @Wiebke - i will definitely do that and I'm planning on keeping them together tonight as i am getting a good vibe from them now. Unless anything drastically changes of course. I'm around in my house all day anyway so will be keeping an eye out.

Belle has woken up and all is still looking good!
 
All looks to be ok to me, too. Sweet baby submissive noises and Belle doesn’t look stressed or fearful. Hope it continues in this way for both of them x
 
Looks very good it me compared to the bonding of Posh, Ginger and Hector which was fraught from the word go 😃
 
It is still going great. New pig very vocal and poor belle is worn out and needs her bed now i think. She's not shy around the cage either; i have covered a section of it but she seems happy coming into the open and is a bright wee thing. She is eating really well.

Not sorted with a name yet. Might be Ebony or Bonnie. But we have considered dotty, trudy, poppy, bridget, posey, pansy, mavis.


We will get their eventually. Our cat has the best name - Beryl. I just cant top that one!
 
tabelmabel said:
It is still going great. New pig very vocal and poor belle is worn out and needs her bed now i think. She's not shy around the cage either; i have covered a section of it but she seems happy coming into the open and is a bright wee thing. She is eating really well.

Not sorted with a name yet. Might be Ebony or Bonnie. But we have considered dotty, trudy, poppy, bridget, posey, pansy, mavis.


We will get their eventually. Our cat has the best name - Beryl. I just cant top that one!
Click to expand...

I love both Ebony and Bonnie best, personally.

Glad that all is going to plan. Baby has certainly found her feet!
 
Another vote for Bonnie or Ebony. I’m glad it’s gone well.
 
Fingers crossed it continues to go well. 🤞First choice Mavis for me, second choice Dotty.
 
B seems to be a good initial letter for pets in our home. Though i do like Ebony for a more sophisticated sound and it suits her colour of course. Though then she'd get Ebs or Ebby and that doesnt have the same ring to it really.

It is between those two. I will think it over today. They have made it through the night and all is still well. Belle is looking really happy and I think she actually likes having a chatty little companion after all.

Every single time i have left my home town this year has been because of Belle! We crossed about 5 local authorities to pick this wee one up.

Thelma and Louise would have suited a pair!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top