trying a re-introduction

Status
Not open for further replies.
catslovelycats

catslovelycats

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jun 24, 2008
Messages
332
Reaction score
13
Points
255
Location
Burgess Hill, West Sussex
After 2 weeks of what seemed acceptance, my rescue pig seemed to be being rejected by my other 3 so I separated her. I thought she'd been bitten but am not so sure now as it turns out she had mites and it could have been that rather than a pig biting her. I am now going to try one more introduction, having had them in runs side by side for a week.

So far so good (but that's how I felt last time round!) though 2 of the pigs keep half-heartedly chasing baby away from them.

I had hoped seeing them all eating nice things would help her to eat more. She sniffed the food (and unlike last time they weren't bother by her being there with them while they ate) but she still isn't really eating.

I hope it's just the baytril and that when that finishes on Fri that she'll pick up.

It's all got so complicated!

Anyway, I am wondering this: being at work all day tomorrow I wouldn't want to leave Biscuit with the others in case it got nasty. So if I put her in her cage tonight, and then reintroduce them all in the run tomorrow evening, would that actually cause more 'damage' to the process/their stress levels than good?
 
Not if you have them under watch for hours and leave enough time to see how they settle in in the hutch.

You could try a "buddy bath" for everypig, so all smell the same - but only if this doesn't interfere with the girl's mites treatment (if that is topical) and she is not too small to have a bath yet (12-16 weeks old).

We have tips on introductions in out reference section. Also have a look at the top of the behaviour section, both sow and boar behaviour, as aggressive behaviour is the same.

Being chased around, nipped and other bullying is normal dominance behaviour. Also that the underpiggy is squeaking a lot - she is signalling her submission with that squeaking more than actual pain.

What is important is that she is allowed to eat together with the others and that she is allowed to settle down to sleep in what ever corner she can claim for herself and that the others respect as "her" place.
 
thanks Weibke
Actually I've just separated her again
looks like she's had a chunk of hair pulled out and the 2 oldest pigs are chasing her
I know some of this is to expected but it's escalating
she isn't really getting a chance to relax so I think I should call it a day before she gets hurt
I've got a local lady with a young rescue female that needs rehoming and I shall pursue that
thanks for your help
 
That might be a better idea, frankly! Best of luck with finding her new friend!
 
How have you got on, did you manage to successfully introduce another pig?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top