Tried to introduce boar to sows- advice please.

[kaz617]

I have 2 pairs of girls and 2 boars. I had the boys castrated 6 weeks ago because they started fighting a few weeks before, and I had to split them up. This was so I could put a boy in with each pair of girls.
Today is (was) the day!
Firstly I introduced them to each other seperately and things seemed to be going ok. I put them into each of their runs and the boys followed the girls round the girls were wheeking (but not loud or upset). Then one of the girls (Primrose) started really loud chattering her fur was all raised and had a really big go at the boy (Alfie) resulting in her mouth bleeding. He must have nipped her.
On reflection I maybe shouldnt have done the next thing but I thought maybe she would get on better with the other boy so we swapped them round.
She still teeth chattered, fur up etc, but the other boy (Oscar) kept away from her. So no fighting.
Meanwhile Alfie's fur was raised and he started to fight with Blossom in the other run. She now has a cut mouth she was really upset and frightened poor wee thing.
I took Blossom and Primrose out and popped them back into their hutches and everything was ok when there was just 2 of them in each run.

What did I do wrong?

Thanks
Kaz x

 

[Wiebke]

You pushed and confused them. Separate piggies that are having tussles, never just switch piggies around - especially if they are smelling of another male!

Let them all cool down for several days before slowly introducing them again. Best let them all have a bath beforehand. I guess that Blossom and Primrose are the two head sows?

 

[kaz617]

thank you. as i was writing i knew that i shouldnt have switched them. :-( will try again in a few days. Primrose and Blossom are more dominant yes.

 

[Wiebke]

I would not try to reintroduce Alfie and Primrose; Oscar is obviously more submissive and will deal better with her and her companion.

Sadly, a boar needs to be accepted by the top sow in order to join - undersows are rarely a problem, unless they have had bad experiences.

If you can, keep both boys just next to their "girls", so they can get used to each other better.

 

[kaz617]

Thanks for your advice. For the week I kept them near each other the boys just sad longingly next to the girls' runs. I bathed them and introduced them on the bathroom floor (not the most romantic place for a date) but it went really well. Blossom and Poppy accepted Alfie immediatly but Primrose wasnt so willing at the start.
After a bit of teeth chattering she was fine. Until tea time when she did same and wouldnt let Oscar near food till she had finished eating. But things soon calmed down and now they are living together fine, Its lovely to see him snuggled up with Honey after being on his own for so long. Oscar felt the separation more than Alfie did I think.
So all is well at chez Primrose and at chez Blossom :-)
smiles from Mum too.

 

[Wiebke]

Good news indeed!

It is so important to be careful with introductions as it can really make the all the difference between success and failure. My intros are always carefully thought through and staged, and if necessary adapted.

 

[kaz617]

Getting a baby girl, just been wondering who to put her in with. And how long you think is sensible before I bring her home. My friend breeds piggies so can have her when I am ready, she is 4 weeks old at the moment, so will be ready in 2 weeks or so.