from 1 to 7 I must say NO!

[fatgirl105]

Hi all, have just visited my wonderful local rescue this afternoon and picked up a young sow. She is approx 8 weeks old and very cute. Took her home and introduced her to two of my sows. They have been in the run and seem to chase the baby about, but there hasn't been any teeth chattering but a bit of nudging to see the baby off. I also noticed that when the situation is a bit stressy the two bigger sows nose up to eachother. I have scrubbed out the cage and redressed it and washed all beds and the two bigger sows keep chasing the baby out of the sleeping quarters even though it is really big. I have now covered them up for the night and the baby is in the main compartment sat in the corner looking very lonely, have I done the wrong thing? Have given the baby a clean cosy bed for the night and the two big girls are in the sleeping quarters with another bed. I do hope that although the big ones seem to be being mean to the baby that they will accept her soon. Is 3 not a good number? P.s Baby is called Tinkerbell named by my son of 5years.

 

[threelittlepigs]

I think it's normal for there to be a bit of chasing. I don't think you've done anything wrong: babies are usually fairly straightforward to introduce to an existing herd.

 

[Little Piggles]

Pippa (my top sow) was a bit miffed when Baby Marmite was introduced to my group and even though she didn't hurt her, she did chase her quite alot for the first day or so, which resulted in much squealing from the baby.

It only took about two days for everyone to calm down and Marmite is now a happy member of the group

 

[fatgirl105]

God bless Marmite what a hunny, and thankyou it is so reassuring to hear about others experiences. fingers crossed.

 

[Pepperdog]

my three girls came bonded but crystal gave baby fudge a really hard time when she came to me - she still does on occasion and fudge is now 2 months old and nearly the same size as both minty her mum and crystal. There was never aggression but it was deffinately dominance from crystal. Sometimes as well fudge was outside the bedroom area so I put a small tunnel bed out there just for her (which she loved) so she could stay comfy and warm till she managed to sneak in with the other two at night.