New Dominant Female?

[katew]

We have just lost our dominant female and are left with two sisters aged about two (they were together as a group of three). Is one of them likely to become the matriarch now or will they stay on equal footing ? They are both quite timid.

Also, in a few months time, I was wondering about trying to get a neutered male to go in with them to build a bigger group again- would that be asking for trouble ?

 

[piggyfan]

One will become dominant. I personally find trios hard as one gets left out. It can be done though and many work. You could introduced two new piggies!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I am very sorry about your loss!

One of your remaining girls will become the new top lady. You are bound to see some dominance behaviour in the next few days/weeks.

You could think about dating your two with a neutered boar (so available) now rather than later. If the two sows are good friends, a mixed gender trio works well indeed; I have had a couple of them! However, if the two sows are not getting on all that well together, a boar won't be the solution as you will risk ending up with an outsider situation; in that case, it is more advisable to look for two younger sows for company - the age difference will prevent a major sow hierarchy upset during introduction.

 

[katew]

Hi! I am very sorry about your loss!

One of your remaining girls will become the new top lady. You are bound to see some dominance behaviour in the next few days/weeks.

You could think about dating your two with a neutered boar (so available) now rather than later. If the two sows are good friends, a mixed gender trio works well indeed; I have had a couple of them! However, if the two sows are not getting on all that well together, a boar won't be the solution as you will risk ending up with an outsider situation; in that case, it is more advisable to look for two younger sows for company - the age difference will prevent a major sow hierarchy upset during introduction.

Thank you - that is so helpful - the two girls get on very well most of the time so I may well keep my eye out for a neutered boar in this area.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you - that is so helpful - the two girls get on very well most of the time so I may well keep my eye out for a neutered boar in this area.

We have a recommended good standard and practice rescues locator on the top bar. Your closest recommended rescue would probably be the RSPCA Burford. Please date your girls at the rescue under expert supervision to make sure that acceptance has happened (which should within 15-20 after first interaction) and that there is no aggression before you take them home. We can give you tips on how to settle them in at home and what to look out for closer to the time.

You are most welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow pets section.

 

[katew]

Thank you - I have already had a look at the Burford website but they only have sows at the moment. I may give them a ring and see if they have any boars in the offing. If we find a possible friend, I will definitely come back to the forum for advice.

 

[Wiebke]

Best of luck! you may have to look a bit further around. Some rescues like Honeybunnies by leicester or the RSPCA Walsall rehome nationwide, provided you pass a home check and organise the pick up. Both of these rescues have a boar neutering policy. As far as I know, Walsall currently hasn't got a boar ready for adoption, either.