New pig bonding - fights

[LennyPig]

Started the bonding process yesterday afternoon to integrate our new piggie into our existing herd.

The new piggie is a 2 year old rex sow and my existing herd consists of 1 neutered boar and 2 sows, all aged 2 also.

I have had the new pig living next to the herd for a week in a C&C add-on and yesterday we bathed all 4 pigs and had a "meet and greet" (lol) session over lettuce in a completely neutral pen in another room to their cage room.

Other than the odd rumbling and chattering this went ok and all seemed mostly calm last night when we went to bed.

This morning all was again mostly ok when we came into the living room to see them, again the odd rumbling, chattering, facing off and nipping.

At some point through today the new pig has had a face off with both Belle and Lenny (two of my existing pigs). These face offs were on separate occasions to each other. During both face offs, Belle and Lenny came off worst and are both sporting minor cuts on their faces (which I have put sudocreme on).

Things are mostly calm in the cage but a little tense at the same time and there is a bit of muttering from all piggies at times.

The new piggie is now spending time under a shared hidey with Belle (the first piggie she argued with) and whilst they still mutter at each other things seem to be over the worst between those 2.

I think things will work themselves out but wanted others opinions? I think I've mentioned everything relevant but if you need any more info just ask.

 

[LennyPig]

Please! Would really appreciate advice x

 

[hayleyh]

I've just started bonding my two boars. I'm not an expert so can't relly offer you any advice but can tell you what happend with my two. They were a bit off with each other to start with - well Ollie, the new one, wanted to play with Isiah, my old one, but Isiah made lots of noises and wiggled his hips and did all the signs of dominance and some signs of aggression, so I've been told. I perservered and today they are sitting in their playpen both happy and content. Only time will tell if this will last. I've not homed them together yet as I'm waiting for my two storey cage to arrive which they will move into together.
Hopefully if you keep putting them together and you starts to see them getting along things will be fine. Fingers crossed for you :-)

 

[LennyPig]

things are much much calmer and settled today with only the very occasional chatter (which doesn't escalate)... and the odd mild rumble.

so looks like things are getting better (which is a good job given the lack of advice here when really needed!).

 

[Little Piggles]

Glad to hear that things have settled down and your new pig is a bit happier in your group.

When I first introduced my boy into our group there was an awful lot of chattering form the top girl (much louder than usual) and she took a few chunks of hair out of him (although no cuts) and like your lot it was rather tense for a time. After a day or so they did settle down though and are now a very close group.

Hopefully your girl has now found her spot in your group and can settle properly. Hope Lenny and Belle are okay x

 

[hayleyh]

things are much much calmer and settled today with only the very occasional chatter (which doesn't escalate)... and the odd mild rumble.

so looks like things are getting better (which is a good job given the lack of advice here when really needed!).

Glad to hear it. I put my boys in the cage together today and things were ok but after watching them for some time I decided they need thier own bedrooms. So I have provided a cardboard box for the time being so they each have somewhere to sleep.
It sounds like your piggies will probably be OK but you should just keep watching them for a few weeks as I have heard that some can fall out after spending a while together.