Should I leave them together?

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primrose

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So, I've introduced my new girl to the other 3 today. Now, they were together in the run for a good few hours this morning without incident - some charging around but nothing else really. I put them all into the hutch at around 4ish and they seemed to be settling okay. But, when I just went out now, Violet (boss pig) was really chasing Floss quite aggressively, although not biting. Floss isn't retaliating in any way. I've just checked Floss and there are no marks on her whatsoever. My question is: do I leave them together tonight? They've been together since half 10 this morning without any injuries - I don't want to step in too soon and ruin things? All seems quiet now and there's no chasing going on - they're eating their hay quite peacefully. Any advice would be much appreciated as I'm a bag of nerves. Oh, the 3 older girls are around 18 months and Floss is 3 months old.
 
Did you clean the hutch out thoroughly before putting them back in together? If som I would leave them together for now. It sounds like Violet is just putting Floss in her place and showing her who's boss. There is a sticky at the top of the behaviour section about sow behaviour. It my be worth having a read to put your mind at rest at what's normal and what isn't :)
 
Hi, I have two 3 month old girls and put a 7 week old baby in my boss pig chased the baby around for about two days then after that the baby made loud screeching noises every time she went near for about 4 days, now they all sleep together in a igloo I found it really hard to watch but they all love each other now,
Hope this helps x
 
Thanks for replying. Yes, I did read through that - it's just that Floss looks so helpless - she's just huddled at the bottom of the ramp looking scared. Do you think it would mess things up if I put the floor divider in, so that she isn't being terrorised all night and then give them all a bath in the morning and try again tomorrow?
Oh, and I did totally clean out the hutch and washed their food bowls and water bottles.
 
Thanks Emma - maybe I should just sit tight. I have put hay and a food bowl at the bottom of the ramp, where she seems to be camping out.
 
I wouldn't put the divider in as you would potentially be breaking the bond they have already made. Just make sure she has access to food and water and provide a hide she can go in if she wishes
 
primrose said:
Thanks Emma - maybe I should just sit tight. I have put hay and a food bowl at the bottom of the ramp, where she seems to be camping out.
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I put enough food and water in so the new once could still feed and I gave her lots of cuddles and knee time in the first few days xx
 
Thank you for the advice, ladies.
They've had a bath this morning and are out in the run. They have let her in and out of the sleeping box and she's been sharing the veg pile, so I'm hopeful that they're settling down. :)
 
Sit it out - it sounds very par for the dominance phase of the course; the older girls are always rather keen to put youngsters firmly in their place. It will die down in the next few days. The dominance phase (right after the initial acceptance phase) is never pleasant to watch but it is vital for the piggies who - unlike you - come with the manual!
 
I think what really pulled at the heart strings was how helpless Floss looked - she is very placid. When I introduced Roxy last year, she didn't seem quite so clueless. I'm hoping that Floss' easy going nature will stand her in good stead as Roxy (formerly under-pig) has definitely decided she's going up the ladder! ;)
 
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