Female Piggy question.

[eschimpf]

As some of you may know I'm going to be fostering some piggies very soon. The lady that runs the rescue told me I could choose who ever I want. now I have to youngish females (clover will be a year this Aug and Lila will be 1 in Dec) So I was thinking would it be ok to house a foster female with them? This way I could take 2 bonded boars and then in my cages add the female because they only have the one. whatcha think?

 

[Vikki]

If you are only fostering piggies I would not house them with your own, if your existing pair get on well then a third temporary female is added this will change the group dynamic and a new pecking order will be established then when you remove the foster piggy the pair *** have to sort out their pecking order again.

A bit stressful for your original pair, also there is the issue of quarantine, if the rescue has quarantined and treated the piggy for mites etc and kept it for some time to be sure it is free of fungal or other problems it should be fine health wise mixing with other piggies but it would be worth checking how long the sow has been in rescue before you put it with your other two just incase it is carrying some hidden problem. Often with a move and stress hidden ailments manifest.

This all depends on whether you are ging to be a 'failed foster' and end up keeping the rescue sow or if you are going to be able to part with her.

Personally I would not mix another sow into an existing pair unless they were going to remain as a trio.

Good luck with your fostering.

 

[MemberX]

I agree with Vikki I wouldn't do it as it isn't fair on your pigs and the fostered one. You may also upset the applecart, I have big issues with trios even girls I just can't get them to ALL be nice to one another, there is usually one who is out of the mix.

Good luck fostering.

 

[Wiebke]

I agree - three is ineviatably two plus one. Better have two foster pigs separately.

 

[gracie]

not forgetting the emotional attachment you may form with the foster pig if it's living with your own pets. of course you're going to love it and care for it, but you have to deal with the fact that at the end of the day it's not your pet and won't be with you for long. if you put a foster pig with your own them i can't see you fostering for very long, and like everyone else has said it will cause unnecessary stress to your group.