Bonding Lolly and Fudge

EJMA82

EJMA82

Junior Guinea Pig
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So initially Fudge did lots of lunging and teeth chattering but it’s all calmed down. I’m a bit concerned because there was a lot of chasing and submissive squealing from Lolly and she’s crawled into the middle of the hay and is barely moving? I just read the bonding guides again and wished I’d left her in the carrier for a few hours to get accustomed to the new environment. Fudge cleaned Lolly’s ear and there’s been no more chattering. Fudge hasn’t humped her at all though, Is this a bad sign? 82CB2D90-9EBD-4E73-8940-DE6B74F59C96.webp82CB2D90-9EBD-4E73-8940-DE6B74F59C96.webpF424CBC5-DE03-44A8-9F36-4EDCF2420210.webp3D90B25C-1AE0-4BA7-8FB0-94DD71444A10.webpFC17352A-60C2-42A3-913B-67B89B9362EE.webp0C967CE1-7D32-4FAE-9E8A-54765BB1B05C.webp
 
I’m definitely no expert with sow bonding (as only done with Jess and Aliona, it’s normally Jess and a man as she’s on her third husboar!) but I didn’t see any humping with them either.
Try not to worry, my bonding with Luigi and Jess took seven hours until I was comfortable to put them in the cage together. When did you put them in there together?
 
I think it was about 1pm. I have bonded baby pigs to my group several years ago but never adult sows. I probably won’t put them in the cage until I go to bed tonight that’s if all is calm
 
It’s not too long then, just see how they go for the next few hours, you could even leave them in that tonight if you’re worried. Good they’ve been eating next to each other etc.
It took two hours with Aliona, Jess and Luigi but the ladies have taken a good few months to calm down in the cage properly together. These ladies! 🙄I’ve always found boars easier but think I’m lucky!
 
I’m not too experienced with sow bonding as mine were paired up already. But I don’t think they will necessarily hump each other.
 
Well definitely far more progress than the last two bondings I’ve had (and more than I’ve seen in the cage for 14 months! :)) ).
:love::love: How are they noises wise, all calm I’m guessing?! :D
 
Yes they are calm but fudge keeps going up to Lolly and nose punching still and chasing her, then it settles down and she does it again. Fudge is also really licking lolly’s ‘area’ incessantly! Lolly’s just trying to chill.
 
EJMA82 said:
Yes they are calm but fudge keeps going up to Lolly and nose punching still and chasing her, then it settles down and she does it again. Fudge is also really licking lolly’s ‘area’ incessantly! Lolly’s just trying to chill.
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I wouldn’t be concerned. The whole bonding process actually takes around two weeks so you will see dominance behaviours for quite some time yet. As long as there are no signs of outright failure, then leave them to establish themselves
 
Hi!

Please give them more time and if in any doubt, leave them in the bonding pen overnight. Bonding happens in rounds.

Any sensible boar (i.e. one that is not overwhelmed by a hormone rush) will not try to dominance mount a sow that is not looking like she is willing to and not before she comes into season and consents.
 
Not to scare you but just to show how my girls were on their second floor time after bonding!
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And I’m saying girls, Aliona! You can see Luigi hiding at the back there! And Jess giving in! They didn’t come out for playtime for a few days after that, I was surprised how complex these adults sows are but sounds and looks they’re doing well! :) x
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And it’s taken a while but my three are a happy family now anyway! :D
 
EJMA82 said:
Yes they are calm but fudge keeps going up to Lolly and nose punching still and chasing her, then it settles down and she does it again. Fudge is also really licking lolly’s ‘area’ incessantly! Lolly’s just trying to chill.
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All dominance behaviours that are well within the normal range. Your girl have move on from acceptance into the leadership sort-out phase.

Please look up our illustrated bonding guide; you can find it all in there, step-by-step. Bonding is a much more complex and drawn out process than most people assume. There are no shortcuts.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
Thank you that’s reassuring.
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Please give them more time and if in any doubt, leave them in the bonding pen overnight. Bonding happens in rounds.

Any sensible boar (i.e. one that is not overwhelmed by a hormone rush) will not try to dominance mount a sow that is not looking like she is willing to and not before she comes into season and consents.
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Yes I’ve decided to leave them overnight in the pen. They are both sows, the white Abby cross is a rescue from Neville’s nest.
 
All was well this morning, I gave them some veggies in the pen at 6am and then moved them to their cage. The ‘perfume’ in my living room was pretty powerful. They both explored the cage nicely, I’ve seen the odd squabbling but no nose punching or teeth chattering. Lolly has really perked up and Fudge has really simmered down. I’m hoping this is successful. Time will tell! Thanks for your reassurance everyone 🥰
 
I’ve been working from home since 27th March due to being in the high risk category for Covid-19. I’ve been hating it lately but I’m glad of it now so I can keep an eye on my piggies for the next couple of weeks.
 
Aw, it will make working from home a lot more interesting, hope they become big buddies in the next few weeks x
 
EJMA82 said:
All was well this morning, I gave them some veggies in the pen at 6am and then moved them to their cage. The ‘perfume’ in my living room was pretty powerful. They both explored the cage nicely, I’ve seen the odd squabbling but no nose punching or teeth chattering. Lolly has really perked up and Fudge has really simmered down. I’m hoping this is successful. Time will tell! Thanks for your reassurance everyone 🥰
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It sounds perfectly fine for that stage, seeing that they have progressed well into the post-intro 2 weeks dominance phase by now and are well past the roughest bit of the leadership establishment. :tu:
 
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