Introducing a pair to a baby

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Claire W

Claire W

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I am bringing a baby sow home later today (Betsy pig from Nutmeg) to bond with Eleanor and Eliza.

Now, would it be okay to introduce Betsy to Eleanor and Eliza this evening and then put Eleanor and Eliza back in the hutch and keep Betsy in with me and then reintroduce tomorrow morning or would I be best to keep her away from Eleanor and Eliza and then do the full introductions tomorrow morning?

I was thinking that if I did first introductions this evening, it would be easier as Chris is home with me today so he is around if I need to seperate where as I am on my own all day tomorrow.

If I were to do first introductions this evening and then keep them apart over night, will Eleanor and Eliza 'remember' Betsy tomorrow and vice versa?

Sorry for all te questions but I have only done bonding one to one before and not two to one
 
I wouldn't do intro's then separate you will just confuse all the pigs :)). Plus it means you have to go though intro's all over again. Once pigs get on fine you are best to leave them together to sort out the rest of the small print so to speak.

I would do it tomorrow, when they can be left together. Based on my limited experience and from what I have read :).

Hope this helps!
 
If you can commit to 4 hours of watching time you could go for it this evening, just depends on what time you want to start the bonding process..... The time it takes to do bonding does depend on the all the sows personalities.

PS have you got a back up plan?
 
When I introduced Fred and the girls I watched them for about 15minutes :red. I generally think you know fairly quickly unless it's boys thats a different ball game :)).

Never did sow introductions but I guess it can't be much different.....
 
lovelygirl said:
If you can commit to 4 hours of watching time you could go for it this evening, just depends on what time you want to start the bonding process..... The time it takes to do bonding does depend on the all the sows personalities.

PS have you got a back up plan?
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I have had disscusions with Jane on what to do if things don't work out. I have a temporary cage set up just in case.

I'm hoping things will be okay as Eliza is the dominent one, Eleanor is laid back and follows Eliza everywhere and Betsy is a baby who hasn't shown any dominent behaviour so far.
 
I would put them all together when you get home Claire. I only watch for a short time (boys i watch longer), if they're getting along i leave them to it. :)

I've only had a problem once with introducing sows & that was with Maddie (RIP) who was a fiesty pig; she hated everyone except her man :))
 
Niki said:
I would put them all together when you get home Claire. I only watch for a short time (boys i watch longer), if they're getting along i leave them to it. :)

I've only had a problem once with introducing sows & that was with Maddie (RIP) who was a fiesty pig; she hated everyone except her man :))
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Must confess to following Niki's advice, even had her on the phone well doing my intro... :))
 
Is it OK to introduce right away without quarantining if you are sure the person you got your baby from has healthy pigs?
 
JoanneG111 said:
I've never quarantined any pig, generally pigs from rescues are given a firm check over.
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Glad to hear that as I respect your opinion, J., and as I am in the exact same situation as the OP and have been carefully reading every response here. I introduce the baby to my two sows yesterday. There was some chasing and even an attempted nip but I provided lots of hiding places and lots of their fave veggies and monitored everyone closely for the entire day. Today there was the occasional chase but they've not done more than that, (my two sows chase each other once in a while also) and I've seen the baby eat and drink so she is making herself right at home.
 
Lucille said:
Glad to hear that as I respect your opinion, J., and as I am in the exact same situation as the OP and have been carefully reading every response here. I introduce the baby to my two sows yesterday. There was some chasing and even an attempted nip but I provided lots of hiding places and lots of their fave veggies and monitored everyone closely for the entire day. Today there was the occasional chase but they've not done more than that, (my two sows chase each other once in a while also) and I've seen the baby eat and drink so she is making herself right at home.
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When we getting pictures?!

I must confess it was only recently I seen anything about quarantine, but generally I haven't heard of anyone on this forum doing it (Correct me if I'm wrong). Obviously if a pig is ill, then I would not introduce :), but if pig is healthy I don't see why not... only did 2 intro's mind but no one has ever been quarantined xx>>>
 
JoanneG111 said:
When we getting pictures?!

I must confess it was only recently I seen anything about quarantine, but generally I haven't heard of anyone on this forum doing it (Correct me if I'm wrong). Obviously if a pig is ill, then I would not introduce :), but if pig is healthy I don't see why not... only did 2 intro's mind but no one has ever been quarantined xx>>>
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Someone recently quarantined a pig they got from an unknown source on preloved I think. (Not correcting you, it's just ringing a vague bell). I agree, I can't see any need to quarantine a healthy pig from a rescue- they'll have already done that when the pig came to them I would imagine. :)
 
Yes, met with Wiebke this morning, then Claire came round this afternoon. So I now have 3 less. Already got a waiting list for their hutch. :-( xx
 
JoanneG111 said:
When we getting pictures?!
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Here are a few, I still have work to do but I wanted them to be in their new place all together. The last pic is of the baby texel, since I'm from Texas I might just name her Tex :).
 

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Wishing you the best with intros - here is a collection of tip from the refernce section. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562

Even I am reading through them before I introduce any of my piggies, as it helps me to come up with plan B in case plan A doesn't work as well as I'd wish!

Good luck! I am so tickled that the little girl is going to somebody who will utterly adore her (and I get to see and hear about her regularly)!
 
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