introducing sows?

[fatgirl105]

I have a bonded pair of sows and as you may be aware fell for another bonded pair of sows at p@h last week. Have kept them separate for a while now and wanted to introduce them to eachother. I got the run out in the garden and moved it from previous place so totally neutral. I put a large pile of hay in the middle and then popped all four guineas in. Well the two biggest just bumped noses a couple of times and then ignored eachother and my little white one from the first group i had squeaked and squeaked and then coughed and was from what i could see absolutely terrified. The smaller one from the new group went around sniffing and being quite bossy and even had a couple of set toos with her current bonded pal, then they would all get a bit jumpy, and meanwhile the white one squeaked on. The big one from the new couple went to the white one and tried to touch her nose gently but she continued to squeak very very loudly. I did not put any houses in whilst this was going on. In the end I decided to remove the white one and her bonded pal and they spent the rest of the day in side by side runs. So is this normal will they all be jumpy and was the white one showing signs of major stress? I noticed that the new couple when they were in their own run the smaller one was jumping on the back of the bigger abby and also when they are in the hutch the small one is in the house in the sleeping area and the big one is behind the house each morning. Am i right in thinking that perhaps the new small one is maybe the bossy one? Sorry for all the questions.
:...

 

[kellyx]

I'm new to guinea pigs but ive got to get a friend for my little daisy so ive got to go all through this .

good luck i hope everything all works out well

 

[Wiebke]

Was that the first time you had you new girls outside? It can be a downright frightening experience for first timers.

As far as I can see from your description, the two older girls are pretty much OK with the youngsters; they are only exhibiting normal signs of dominance after the initial acceptance. I would try them indoors for their next meeting and in a more familiar setting to your little white girl; it was probably her screaming that upset the others, not the intro as such, so I would not worry too much about that side.

 

[fatgirl105]

No all the piggies had been going outside for quite long periods so they were all use to it including the squeaker! Perhaps I might try putting them in again tomorrow and maybe put a house in for her?

 

[Wiebke]

Put in at least four, preferably more hideys - the big girls will choose theirs first. Cardboard boxes and tunnels will also do; preferably anything with two exits.

Screaming loudly when a dominant piggy comes near is a sign of submission.

 

[Sodapops]

Are the two new girls the ones you got from Pets At home 4 days ago?

With new piggies i would have taken it VERY slowly with them going outside - it's a very scary place with loads of different noises - in only 4 days of living with you they've probably not even adjusted to their initial home/surroundings yet - let alone braving the great out-doors!

As you also had them from Pets At Home - you should have adhered to a quarantine period of at least 2-3wks. I recently took on a tiny sow and within 4 days of me having her i noticed (by pure chance) an area of fungal on her - if i'd have put her in with her new boyfriend Wexford - i'd be currently treating 2 pigs for fungal infections - as it stands over 4wks on she's very much separate from any other piggies and will be until i feel confident she's clear of ANY illnesses

However since you've already introduced them - what's done is done...

In terms of bonding, sows are very different from boars in terms of how you perform the introductions - the normal protocol with boars is put them together and leave them together - with sows you can take it more slowly. Can you put their cages next to one another so they can all smell/see/touch - this may help when it comes to putting them in neutral territory? I would also advise putting them in neutral territory far less scary than the big out-doors - do you have an area in your home you could corner off?

Good luck

 

[fatgirl105]

Thankyou for your comments I shall take them onboard and hopefully be less in a rush to introduce them lets hope I haven't caused any problems by my rushing.