Bonding neutered boar, 1YO Sow and baby sow

T-Rex

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Hi all, Just after some thoughts. I've read all the amazing guides around a hundred time and keep going back to them, thanks so much for the time spend doing these guides. I guess I just am after some reassurance and help interpreting where i am right now in the process.

So Jazzy is safe after his neuter, we rehomed Ginny around 1 year old sow to live side by side so Jazzy wasn't lonely following the death of his friend whilst we waiting for him to be safe to try bonding.
I have always wanted a herd and so the chance came up to home a baby sow and the timing was just right being that she was old enough to be homed and we could get her the same day we were planning on starting the bonding.

Set up a large neutral pen, no hides and just a big pile of hay. It started off positive, the usual sniffing, strutting etc. Over a short period of time it was clear Jazzy was just trying to avoid the whole situation, Ginny was wanting to be dominant. Obviously she easily won over baby ruffles.

It then became clear Jazzy was fear aggressive. he would teeth chatter anytime anyone came near him, raising his chin mouth open. Ginny tried a few lunges and then running off I think to try dominate him but without causing any fights. There have been no fights. But from reading the guides I was concerned that if Jazzy didn't stop the teeth chattering then we wouldn't get anywhere with the bonding. I read that it may take time with fear aggression so we left them over night.

This morning it was quiet, everyone had stayed away over night I think. There was still teeth chattering so I was thinking, ok its over. I cleaned them out and did a fresh hay pile and got some grass. they all sat and will eat the hay and forage about in the hay and ate the grass together.

I've noticed late morning things have changed. jazzy isn't teeth chattering anymore. Ginny will approach him and is humping him, he does the very loud squeals of "i don't want to fight" and will either let her finish and she leaves, or he will kick out and run away. She will chase a bit and the squealing continues for a bit and then everyone will go back to eating and will lay down separately and have a nap.

So I am thinking, ok this may work out after all. Jazzy is finally behaving like a submissive piggy and I just need to give it a bit longer in the pen?

I'm going to try and get some footage and upload it to youtube and ill add it in, but id really appreciate some thoughts.
 
Ok, this is the best ive got currently. There has been more intense humping previously but ive not been quick enough with the camera. It seems to have calmed a lot now and Ginny will approach Jazzy, he squeals will give him a prod or whatever and then she will leave again.


 
This is kind of what's happening now. He's eating relaxed ish, she approaches. He shouts and screams and then he goes back to eating. is this good?
 
All looks normal. Jazzy is just acquiescing and telling her she’s too pig. Remember once they’ve moved into the cage the hierarchy establishment will still go on for another two weeks. Make sure you thoroughly clean the cage and rearrange it.
 
All looks normal. Jazzy is just acquiescing and telling her she’s too pig. Remember once they’ve moved into the cage the hierarchy establishment will still go on for another two weeks. Make sure you thoroughly clean the cage and rearrange it.
Thank you, that's a relief that I am right in my thinking. I thoroughly cleaned the cage out yesterday so its ready and waiting for them now. Just working the nerve up to put them in as scared Jazzy will go back to the teeth chattering!
yes I'm prepared for a rocky few weeks!

They have been in the bonding pen for 28 hours now. These past 3 hours have been the quietest!
 
I think they’re ready to be moved in. Can you herd him into a box or cuddle sack and lift him out that way? Just be sure to observe the hierarchy when you’re moving them into their new digs.
 
I think they’re ready to be moved in. Can you herd him into a box or cuddle sack and lift him out that way? Just be sure to observe the hierarchy when you’re moving them into their new digs.
Thank you, sometimes you just need someone else to reassure you. He lets me pick him up fine so that shouldn't be an issue. Should I put top piggy in first?
I'm ready to spend a few hours sat in the animal room watching so that's not a problem.

edit- realise re-reading that you already answered that! haha sorry.
I feel that Jazzy is bottom pig even to baby, as he squeals when baby comes near, so Jazzy goes in last?
 

After this was taken there was some humping and now they are sat eating from the hay pile together mostly acrimoniously.
 
Day two in cage is going well. Jazzy is teeth chattering at times but is still running away rather than before when he was teeth chattering and he was standing his ground!4F0C10A1-B559-4586-8BC6-424D0DB9460B.webp
 
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