Separating pups

[Bubblepiggie81]

Hello everyone

So my pups are now 2 weeks and 2 days. We have two sows and one boar. I have noticed the boar starting to rumblestrutt and mount the girls and mum, but I've been advised not to separate him yet as it's too early. But this pregnancy was a surprise, I really don't want another one and so soon! Will he be OK with mum for another 3 days atleast (Friday) he will be 3 weeks on Sunday? TIA X

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone

So my pups are now 2 weeks and 2 days. We have two sows and one boar. I have noticed the boar starting to rumblestrutt and mount the girls and mum, but I've been advised not to separate him yet as it's too early. But this pregnancy was a surprise, I really don't want another one and so soon! Will he be OK with mum for another 3 days atleast (Friday) he will be 3 weeks on Sunday? TIA X

Hi

Whether you need to separate now or can wait until the weekend depends on the weight of your little boy. If he is alreadsy 250g he needs to come out now.

Your mother has just come into her second season after giving birth; hence the rumble-strutting. The heavy sow pheromones can wake up some boar pheromones in the male babies.
Most baby boys are still too small to do any damage but any boys over 250g need to be taken out asap because the most developed boys can catch out their mum. 250g is the average of a 3 weeks old.
Any baby boy below 200g can stay on until 4 weeks or until he hits 250g - whichever happens sooner. By 4 weeks the milk flow is mainly dried up and the baby sows will be starting to come into season.

Your boy can be introduced to one of your boars. Please do so on neutral ground outside the cage to ensure greater acceptance. It is never a guaranteed given. At least you have a second boar to try him with if number 1 is not working out...
Our bonding guide also contains a chapter with videos on baby bonding: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

All the best.