Introducing new baby pig

[lyndsbell]

Hi guys,

This is very first post on here, first of many probably !

A few months back we rehomed 2 guinea pigs from local rescue centre. Misty's age is unknown, and Millie (her daughter) is now 4 months old. Misty has always been very dominant over Millie, for example if Millie is in the pigloo, Misty will shove her out, followed by loud wheeking from Millie. Although , for majority of the time they seem to get along fine, however Millie seemed to be spending a lot of time on her own.

Decided to get another piggy to keep her company. The baby (not decided on a name yet!) is 8 weeks old. I introduced them on neutral territory (the couch with towel over the top) and slowly. I put down some fresh veg to try tempt/distract them too. Millie was first to start sniffing bottoms etc and initially they seemed to get on fine, with the baby even grooming the other one's ears. Initially , Misty also seemed accepting, although this was short lived. Misty began to nip and bite at both Millie and the baby , although there was no teeth chattering or anything. Once this had started happening, Millie had a few nips at the baby but they still seemed to get along well.

I seperated Misty from other two, and they got along well, but Misty just sat herself.

I currently have the baby in a seperate cage next to the other two, but now the baby keeps wheeking and looking for Millie, and Millie is knawing at the bars etc. Misty has stayed in her hidey house.

Its been driving me up the wall! Do you guys think Misty would be better living by herself or should I persevere?

Hope that all made sense. Help!

 

[Sarah from Chucklebunnies]

If blood hasn't been drawn then I would try them back together again. The baby is being introduced into the established pecking order and some bullying type behaviour is inevitable. It always looks worse to us because we are not so literal - we don't shove or teeth chatter or nip at each other.

I have introduced babies into two or three sized groups of sows before so I am just going by my own experience. But the baby will appear left out for a while, will squeal if the others are near sometimes, even if not being bullied at all, and can make low rising to very high pitched whiney noises for some time when they want to stay in somewhere or keep that nice piece of food.

To try to avoid too much bullying behaviour - give separate pieces of food and be prepared to give extra bits to the baby when their food is taken. Take all hidey places out or have enough for one each to avoid squabbling. Make them all smell similar - there may well be spraying of wee about anyhow as they sort themselves.

I repeat - it looks worse than it is as we don't operate the way that piggies do. They are much more direct. Good signs are - ear grooming, snuggling into the shoulder, following a senior piggie around, lying around together.

Be prepared for the baby attempting to move up the pecking order when she grows up a bit too. And the inevitable problems when they come on heat!

My girls still 'chin chin' and rumble at each other, still try to mount each other and squeal if they feel aggrieved. And they've been sorted into their pecking order for years!

Try again as piggies are in general much happier in a group, just remove the biter if blood is drawn. Best of luck, Sarah x

 

[Wiebke]

Some piggies are nippers - one of my newly adopted girls is one; and she's gone straight to the top of the pecking order, so I've got the occasional squeal, especially when Nia is grumpy!

Your baby has to live though some bullying; that is the way of piggy society, and she'll accept it as such. It looks worse than it is to the pigs. A lot of the squealing is more protest than actual pain!

If you've got the space; you could think about eventually introducing a neutered boar. As he has to woo all the ladies, he is a good distraction for a lady bent on mischief. It won't cut out all the bullying, but it adds another dimension to the group and can help to disperse some of the tensions.

 

[lyndsbell]

Thanks a lot for help and advice.

I persevered with the girls, keeping them in separate areas in view of each other.

I introduced them small periods of time, and eventually the other day when I put them together they seemed to get on ok. I scrubbed cage areas to neutralise odours and put them in together, and (touch wood!) they have been living happily ever since. Baby seems to know her place now, but is happy. Turns out she's vocal wee one, and pops about like mad!

My partner loves the new baby, but think he know's she'll be my wee baby. So I'm sure he'll get a neutered boar at some point so he doesnt feel too left out!