Introducing new pigs

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grindrod

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Bubbles and Nibbles were a close bonded pair of girls, 3 weeks ago we lost Bubbles and although Nibbles seems OK we are going to get her a chum, the local Blue Cross has a neutered boy (1yr 2 mths) but he is very close to a girl who coincidentally is the same age as Nibbles (3yrs 6mths) The rescue centre have suggested taking both but I am concerned about how this would work out with Nibbles. We can have just the boy if we prefer.
Also, what is the least stressful way of introducing new pig(s), Nibbles has an indoor 2 tier hutch (4ft) with permanent play area at the front which I can extend temporarily and put our old single storey starter hutch into.
Advice please!
 
take your sow to meet them and see how they get on. the other sow maybe jelous of your sow,but piggies seem happier in bigger groups malletheadmallethead good luck!
 
Its a tough choice, I personally wouldn't want to split a bonded pair so would go ahead and try both with Nibbles. Hopefully the existing sow will accept her and vice versa but nothing is written in stone when it comes to pigs. Introductions must be in completely neutral territory not Nibbles cage or run, I always find having lots of veg or grass to distract them helpful and fingers crossed they'll get to know each other over dinner.
 
I agree, I would take both and introduce them on neutral territory, they are likely to be ok together and I bet your existing pig will be very happy to have piggy company again!

Good luck

Sophie
x
 
Thanks everyone! Everything taken on board! I have to call the centre tomorrow so I will ask them about the feasibility of introducing Nibbles on Sunday when we go to visit. I will keep you all updated, your input and good wishes are much appreciated!
 
Nibbles now has a chum, a neutered male called Jacob, we have put him in our spare starter hutch, he spent his first day out of sight and smell of Nibbles and settled in very quickly. Yesterday we moved his hutch so that it faces Nibbles's hutch and shares the common play area (4ft X 4ft).

We let Nibbles into the play area last night and she found him quickly, there was lots of nose nuzzling through the mesh of his hutch and lots of chirps and happy sounds!

We then shut Nibbles in her hutch and let Jacob out into the play area, he rushed around chirping and obviously enjoying himself, there was more nuzzling.

Overnight they stayed in their own hutches, this morning we let Nibbles into the play area, she visited Jacob with more nuzzling through the bars and a lot of popcorning!

This afternoon we will shut her in her hutch and let Jacob out for a while.

If all goes well I think we might let them meet tomorrow, how does this sound?
 
grindrod said:
Nibbles now has a chum, a neutered male called Jacob, we have put him in our spare starter hutch, he spent his first day out of sight and smell of Nibbles and settled in very quickly. Yesterday we moved his hutch so that it faces Nibbles's hutch and shares the common play area (4ft X 4ft).

We let Nibbles into the play area last night and she found him quickly, there was lots of nose nuzzling through the mesh of his hutch and lots of chirps and happy sounds!

We then shut Nibbles in her hutch and let Jacob out into the play area, he rushed around chirping and obviously enjoying himself, there was more nuzzling.

Overnight they stayed in their own hutches, this morning we let Nibbles into the play area, she visited Jacob with more nuzzling through the bars and a lot of popcorning!

This afternoon we will shut her in her hutch and let Jacob out for a while.

If all goes well I think we might let them meet tomorrow, how does this sound?
Click to expand...

I'm assuming you decided against the boar and the sow?
 
Hi, yes, when we got to the rescue it turned out that they had only been together for a short while so they were happy to let us take the boar.
 
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