Introductions

[benjer]

I'm about to hopefully get a new friend for my George tomorrow, both piggies are boars and 8/9weeks old.

Should it be fairly easy to introduce them or is it individual depending on the piggy? Should I go for it and put them together when I collect the new piggy or keep them separate until they spend some neutral playtime etc?

Thanks folks

 

[lovelygirl]

Read the dominance and fighting thread at the top the behaviour section. If you are getting the piggies from different source you probably want to quarantine them from each other for a few weeks - just in case. It does all depend on the piggy though some personalities get on some do not they are just funny and like us that way. When you introduce them do it in a good neutral space with some food for distraction.

I am sure there are lots of people to give you more advice

 

[Wiebke]

If your piggies are not from a rescue (where they are only rehomed when illness free), you'd do best if you kept them apart for a bit (about two weeks) in case they have mites, ringworm or respitory problems.

When you introduce them, do so in a neutral space (run on the lawn, bathroom floor or bathtub with a towel for grip). Some food might help with bonding, but leave anything out where one of the boys can be backed into.

Be aware that once you have comitted to the bonding, you have to sit it out and do not interrupt unless there are bloody fights. There can be quite a bit of threatening behaviour (chattering, yawning, nipping) apart from the usual dominance behaviour (rumbling, rumblestrutting, humping). If you separate, the boys will have to start again in square one as far as their relationship is concerned. It might be therefore best if you did the introduction on a day when you have the full day, or at least several hours time, to keep an eye on the boys.

Dominance behaviour can last longer than that; with some boys it is pretty constant. Best make sure that they have everything in twos, huts, bowls, bottles hay racks...

Wishing you the best of luck!