Engel's Herd

Soooooo I went Xmas shopping well, to finish off really and obviously the pigs don't have enough...so I bought them a few things...IMG_20211124_150600135.webp

In B&M they had forage bars which consist of hay and flowers. Thought it'd be something different for them to try.

The scrummies are more for the girls. I need something to tempt the girls into the hide while I weigh them. Normally I just pick them up but with the possibility of pregnancy I don't want to risk anything even though it's early days.

Hay cookies are a back up just in case I can't get hay because of the dreaded white stuff.

Noodle mats because my guys are in love.

5 fleece blankets. Leopard print one from B&M, last on the shelf (sorry). The others are from home bargains. They're a twin pack for £8.99 I think. Theyre 200x200cm(?) Or something. Very large. Currently wicking them. Been trying to get hold of fleece that isn't expensive for ages so now I'm happy I've got some.
 
It's been over 2 weeks since Basil snuck in with the girls and I haven't noticed them having a heat cycle. Normally there's rumbling and chasing. But there's been nothing!
 
It’s going to be a long 10 weeks. Are you still going to put him in with the girls once he’s safe? Or leave it a bit longer?
 
weepweeps said:
It’s going to be a long 10 weeks. Are you still going to put him in with the girls once he’s safe? Or leave it a bit longer?
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I know 😞
I am going to put him in once he's safe. He's currently stuck in a 2x3 c&c. It was only meant to be temporary and I don't think it would be fair to keep him in there an extra 2 month's as he's already been in it 4 months. He and the girls will have a lovely 3x5 to share and popcorn in if it works out.

Counting down the days until he's safe. 1 December marks 6 weeks.
 
That’s lovely. Hopefully they all get on and there are no little ones on the way.
 
weepweeps said:
Hiya @Engel. Is today the day?
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Was about to announce that today is the day lol

Bonding has already started (started at 8am). Just all sat together munching hay. There has been some rumbling, grooming each other, lots of mutual bonding behaviour. So far so good. Added in a hide. Will give them a few more hours, thoroughly clean the cage and then transfer them in. Will add photos soon 🙂
 
Engel said:
Was about to announce that today is the day lol

Bonding has already started (started at 8am). Just all sat together munching hay. There has been some rumbling, grooming each other, lots of mutual bonding behaviour. So far so good. Added in a hide. Will give them a few more hours, thoroughly clean the cage and then transfer them in. Will add photos soon 🙂
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Sounds all good so far. Can’t wait to see the pictures.
 
Yay. I’m so happy for you and the piggies. I hope they all have a happy life together.
 
weepweeps said:
Yay. I’m so happy for you and the piggies. I hope they all have a happy life together.
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I hope so too. Now to wait until the end of the month to see if there's any signs of pregnancy (they would be going into the last trimester around then so should start noticing weight gain and rounder shape)
 
Well I've shuffled the pigs about and put Cyril next to basil and the girls to see how'd they'd interact so I have an idea on how to arrange the shed for the spring. Normally a boar could live next to a mixed group right? Well not Cyril and Basil. Basil was absolutely furious when he saw Cyril next door. Really lunging and snapping at Cyril. Thank goodness he caught the bars and not Cyril! He really meant business. He'll have to stay living alongside the boys. I tried.
 
Well it's been a little over a week since Basil went in with the girls and all is swell. They've settled down lovely. You wouldn't think they'd been together a week.

Will be weighing everyone tonight. The girls would be 5 1/2 weeks if they are pregnant so may start to see a difference in weight soon. They've both remained stable so far so we'll see.
 
Update.

Everyone is doing well. Basil has well and truly settled in with his ladies. He has healed up perfectly and no signs of abscess or hernia so that's good. Will continue to keep an eye on him for the next couple of months to make sure nothing crops up but for now all remains hopeful.

I'll be weighing everyone in a bit but so far everything is stable. The girls aren't giving anything.

Boys are doing well. No issues there. Will be getting Cyril in to see the vet in the new year to check his teeth. He coughs/chokes a lot more than all my other piggies so want him checked. But it's not something he does daily. Maybe once a week max. He is greedy so maybe he's just scoffing himself a bit too eagerly but just want to be sure.

Before I went to bed last night, I noticed Po had a hay poke. I did manage to get it out. I had a shock as it looked so small until it came out. Normally I wouldn't attempt it but it was in reach and 1 am so wasn't going to leave him suffering until morning. I gave him some eye gel to see him through until morning (to keep him comfortable) so I could take him to the vets today for them to check I got everything (not antibacterial eye gel, just to help lubricate his eye). So guess who's on antibacterial eye drops now 😔

Other than that all is well.
 
Glad everything is calm with you. Brilliant news with Basil. He’s living his best life.
 
weepweeps said:
Glad everything is calm with you. Brilliant news with Basil. He’s living his best life.
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He truly is. I often find them all lay together under the same bendy bridge, I don't know how they all fit. I may need to place 2 together to make a longer tunnel as they're not fully grown yet. They have fun pop-corning and doing zoomies together, especially through a fresh pile of hay. :))
 
Glad to hear he’s settled in so we’ll with them and vice versa 😍
 
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