Bonding adult with new baby

Sarahangel

Sarahangel

New Born Pup
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After sadly losing Wilma about a month ago, my daughter has decided to get a friend for Wanda who is 3 and never lived alone before. We are collecting a 5 month old teddy baby girl next week. My question is, do we introduce them as soon as we get her home (neutral territory obviously) or should we let her settle for a few days first next to Wanda?
New baby pic below :)

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Sarahangel said:
After sadly losing Wilma about a month ago, my daughter has decided to get a friend for Wanda who is 3 and never lived alone before. We are collecting a 5 month old teddy baby girl next week. My question is, do we introduce them as soon as we get her home (neutral territory obviously) or should we let her settle for a few days first next to Wanda?
New baby pic below :)

View attachment 128664View attachment 128665
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Hi!

Two very lovely girls!

Here is our comprehensive bonding guide, which also deals with questions such as quarantine - yes or no?, living alongside - yes or no? etc. in the run up to a bonding and it takes you through every aspect from how to best set up a bonding session etc.
Please take the time to read it; you will find it very helpful for the next few weeks as it covers the whole period from the run up, the different phases of a bonding, sow bonding particulars and the post-bonding dominance phase which generally lasts around 2 weeks. It looks at typical behaviours and dynamics and also tells you what to expect if a bonding fails at any of these stages. ;)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

These are decisions that you have to make for yourself by weighing up the pros and cons for your individual situation. There is no one answer that fits all. Generally I find that a bonding is going more smoothly and with less fear-agression if the newbie has had time to settle into their new home and make friends through the bars but this is not ideal with babies or piggies that don't handle well being on their own.

Preparations also include having a plan B in case the girls don't take to each other. 5 months of age is teenage (ca. 4-14 months). Mutual liking and character compatibility are very much down to the unique dynamics between individuals and can therefore never be predicted - and sows can be so much more fickle to bond than boars, as every long term sow owner or rescue person running a dating service can tell you!
 
I would definitely reccomend giving them a few days to get used to each other before letting them stay in the same cage. If you don't have an extra cage, you can use a divider of some sort. When introducing them, it may help if you put them on opposite ends of a little play area, and then give them hay or veggies. The piggies will be able to get used to the other's scent while being distracted with something else.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Two very lovely girls!

Here is our comprehensive bonding guide, which also deals with questions such a quarantine yes or no?, living alongside yes or no? etc. in the run up to a bonding. Please take the time to read it; you will find it very helpful for the next few weeks as it covers the whole periodfrom the run up, the different phases of a bonding, sow bonding particulars and the post-bonding dominance phase which generally lasts around 2 weeks. It looks at typical behaviours and dynamics and also tells you what to expect if a bonding fails at any of these stages. ;)
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

These are decisions that you have to make for yourself by weighing up the pros and cons for your individual situation. There is no one answer that fits all. Generally I find that a bonding is going more smoothly and with less fear agression if the newbie has had time to settle into their new home and make friends through the bars but this is not ideal wit babies or piggies that don't handle well being on their own.

Preparations also include having a plan B in case the girls don't take to each other. 5 months of age is teenage (ca. 4-14 months). Mutual liking and character compatibility are very much down to the unique dynamics between individuals and can therefore never be predicted - and sows can be so much more fickle to bond than boars, as every long term sow owner or rescue person running a dating service can tell you.!
Click to expand...
Thanks I'll have a good read
 
hrsrdr said:
I would definitely reccomend giving them a few days to get used to each other before letting them stay in the same cage. If you don't have an extra cage, you can use a divider of some sort. When introducing them, it may help if you put them on opposite ends of a little play area, and then give them hay or veggies. The piggies will be able to get used to the other's scent while being distracted with something else.
Click to expand...
To be honest my gut feeling was to let her settle for a few days. We have spare grids to make a pen next to Wanda, so she won't be totally isolated. I've done quite a few bondings over the years and all have gone well, but that was done years ago and I've lost my confidence a bit. Thanks for the suggestion xx
 
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