Bonding boys - another couple of questions

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linzee

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Hi

I got some very good advice and support on here a couple of days ago about bonding our 2 year old boy (Skittles) with a rescue pig of similar age (I am calling him Little Pig for the moment until we know if we are going to keep him).

We put them in the run in the garden for the initial meeting. After a very positive initial few minutes Little Pig became very dominant, with lots of chasing and humping. Skittles did not seem to like this at all to start with, but things calmed down a bit (I actually moved them to an indoor pen with nothing but a pile of hay, and that seemed to help) and in the morning I put them in the hutch together.

They've now been in there three days and seem to get on ok, sharing piles of hay and fresh veg. There is still some dominance behaviour from Little Pig, but Skittles is quick to do a 'I'm no threat' weeking noise, and they get on ok. My concern is this:

The hutch we have is two tier, and only Skittles uses the ramp. Little Pig seems to want to, but is too nervous. As a result, Little Pig stays downstairs all the time, and Skittles goes up and down as he wants to. I am afraid that because Skittles has the option to totally hide from Little Pig whenever he wants, they won't be able to properly sort out their relationship and the dominance issues. What will then happen when I put them in the run in the garden at the end of the two week bonding period? Will they get testy with each other again when Skittles realises he can't get away completely from Little Pig? Little Pig seems very interested in Skittles and I think really wants to be friends, but his dominance may just be too much for Skittles.

Really any help and advice would be gratefully received!

Another (shorter!) question: can we get them out to hold during this two week period, or is it best to totally leave them to it? I am missing cuddles with Skittles.

Thanks!
 
I've discovered the ramp is removable. I think I might take it out completely and see how the boys get on when Skittles doesn't have the option to leave. Or is this asking for more trouble? If we take out the option of the second level then it falls below what is advised for two boys. (It's 5ft.) Help, I'm really working myself into a stew about this for some reason.
 
Hi!

Just let them get on with it and work things out for themselves without interference from you, which will only serve to put more (and not less) pressure on your pair.

The process sounds perfectly par for the course. The post-intro dominance phase lasts for around 2 weeks on average. Your boys are bonded, so there is nothing to worry about.
 
Thanks. I am really worried that they are not properly bonded as Skittles is able to come and go as he pleases, whereas Little Pig (who I think would like more interaction with Skittles) is 'stuck' on the one level. Do you think the fact that they can share food ok when Skittles chooses to come downstairs means they are bonded ok then?
 
Someone has suggested that rather than take the ramp out I could get carpet tiles for the ramp and see if Little Pig will be happy to use it then. Would that be ok do you think?
 
linzee said:
Someone has suggested that rather than take the ramp out I could get carpet tiles for the ramp and see if Little Pig will be happy to use it then. Would that be ok do you think?
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Ensuring the ramp isn’t steep, they have good grip is important and, for some piggies, it being covered with a ramp tunnel can help. They arent natural climbers and some never master ramps - this is why only the bottom level of a cage counts towards the cage size.
Whatever you put on the ramp needs to be able to be removed and washed. I use a piece of vetbed with Velcro to stick to the ramp. That way I can remove, wash and pop back on easily. Having a spare to swap in/out if one isn’t dry works well for me
 
Thanks. Would you be able to send me a link to the vetbed material you use? I've not heard of this before.

If Little Pig can't master the ramp then I will look into getting a 6ft (but one storey) hutch.
 
If you search for Vetbed (it’s a brand name) (Amazon sell it) then you find it. It’s a soft fluffy material on top with a green backing. You put an absorbent layer underneath and it makes fantastic bedding. I don’t have absorbent layer under it on my ramp as they don’t pee on the ramp!
 
Brilliant, thanks. Will Google now! I assume you can cut it up into smaller squares for the ramp?
 
I had to “help” my piggies learn how to master the ramp when I first got them. I put them on half way up and gently put pressure on their bottoms to guide them. They picked that up quickly. Going down took a little longer. Again I put them on it and guided them down. They are fine now and actually go quite fast.
 
Also make sure there is two of everything. Bottles, bowls, piles of hay. All hides need two exits. My two get on fine but I really feel they would still argue if trapped in a hide. Also at the top of the ramp make sure there is enough room for them to get past each other as that is another place that can cause friction. 😊
 
Thanks everyone. I am looking at the ramp tunnels. They look really good. I don't think even Skittles (who is very used to the ramp) particularly likes using it so it might be good for both of them.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Just let them get on with it and work things out for themselves without interference from you, which will only serve to put more (and not less) pressure on your pair.

The process sounds perfectly par for the course. The post-intro dominance phase lasts for around 2 weeks on average. Your boys are bonded, so there is nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
Oh, and is it ok to get them out for cuddles now? Or should we leave it until the 2 week period is up? Thanks
 
You can buy ramp tunnels to fit hutch ramps ,easily washed,my piggies go up and down the ramps with these,even the elderly ones.C and e cosies make these ramp tunnels.i hope the boys settle in well.
 
linzee said:
Oh, and is it ok to get them out for cuddles now? Or should we leave it until the 2 week period is up? Thanks
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You can take them our for cuddles; they ARE bonded - they are just working on the fine print of their relationship.

As with all boars, please respect the hierarchy in terms of handling, cuddling, feeding, grooming etc. The leader comes first in all respects.
 
linzee said:
Thanks so much for all your help. Little Pig has just been popcorning like mad. There's no doubt that he at least is happy about life.
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Just take a deep breath and a step back. ;)
 
Just to say thanks to everyone who gave me guidance on bonding Skittles with New Pig. They are now getting on really well. New Pig still shows lots of dominance behaviour but Skittles largely ignores him. Now we just need to give him a name!
 

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Just seen your post, well done you, bonding is not for the feint hearted and sometimes quite scary, it looks like they are firm friends 💙💙
 
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