Adding a third

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dangerman

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Me and my girlfriend had a long chat last night and decided no more pets for now. She is right really with the added cost of buying cages etc.

I will be eventually building a c&c cage as I feel I can offer them a bit more space and I also like the look of a c&c cage.

So with the cost already anticipated and budgeted for a new cage I suggested another pig to which my gf seemed keen about.

I currently have two sows who are sister and get on well, apart from the odd squabble about food :) both approximately 10 months old.

I was thinking of adding another girl and wondered what to expect?

Obviously I want to make sure I have the stuff for the cage first and perhaps use the new cage as neutral grounds for them all.

I will obviously adopt as that means I can give a forever home to a pig that needs it.

Can anyone provide a step by step guide on how to introduce pigs as I would like to get my head around it before I commit to anything.

Thanks in advance.
 
dangerman said:
Me and my girlfriend had a long chat last night and decided no more pets for now. She is right really with the added cost of buying cages etc.

I will be eventually building a c&c cage as I feel I can offer them a bit more space and I also like the look of a c&c cage.

So with the cost already anticipated and budgeted for a new cage I suggested another pig to which my gf seemed keen about.

I currently have two sows who are sister and get on well, apart from the odd squabble about food :) both approximately 10 months old.

I was thinking of adding another girl and wondered what to expect?

Obviously I want to make sure I have the stuff for the cage first and perhaps use the new cage as neutral grounds for them all.

I will obviously adopt as that means I can give a forever home to a pig that needs it.

Can anyone provide a step by step guide on how to introduce pigs as I would like to get my head around it before I commit to anything.

Thanks in advance.
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Get the new pig to buy the other two a nice pair of shoes each, jobs a good un. Women loves shoes.
 
I would be wary of upsetting a bonded pair really. I have 3 piggies & one is a definite "outsider" even though she is related to one of the others. You would be better off considering another pair, if then making a herd of 4 doesn't work out you could keep the two pairs separate in a C & C alongside each other or one cage on top of the other. :)
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I would be wary of upsetting a bonded pair really. I have 3 piggies & one is a definite "outsider" even though she is related to one of the others. You would be better off considering another pair, if then making a herd of 4 doesn't work out you could keep the two pairs separate in a C & C alongside each other or one cage on top of the other. :)
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Thank you, I thought this maybe the case. I'll have to have a think.

Would there be the same potential problems with a neutered boar?
 
A neutered boar would work well with them, but i would just be careful that an outsider doesnt happen. Often (but not always) in trios, one piggie is left as an outsider while the other two are best friends. In smaller groups its good to have an even number. But no reason why you could introduce a neutered boar or a baby sow etc. This is how i started my herd.

x.
 
I started off with two sisters and then added another sow. I never think threesomes really work as somebody seems to be left out and there are more squabbles. I now have four and they are a closely bonded and happy herd. You could make a nice big c and c cage and adopt two piggies to live with your two.
 
We introduce a 6wk old sow to our pair Bonnie and Lottie who were 7mths and they love having her around. :)

We placed a towel inside the bath and introduced them in there. I was worried at first because Lottie can be very dominant but she surprised us and her maternal instincts came out. Bonnie was the one who had a little 'peck' but I think that's because she wants to be dominant for a change!

Bonnie and Lottie squabbled A LOT but since they've had a new addition to mother they get on better and as from what I can see nobody is left out. They share food with her and they even share a sack with her. I think it works because Bonnie likes alone time so Lottie leaves her alone now she has Millie to focus on.

I'm aware things could change once Millie is older and if I feel someone is being left out I will introduce a fourth piggie. :)
 
I have two girls who were best buddies and added four babies - they got on like a house on fire.
Tried them with a neutered boar and it didn't work, Amelia our top piggy wouldn't accept him :(
Adopted another little girl, Sally and all six of the girls liked her but she didn't like Amelia and fought with her so had to sow date Sal and she chose two little friends :))
It is all down to the personality and dynamics really - I will never try another girl in the herd...we were just lucky I think with adding four little ones when we did ;)
Our trios get along really well fortunately but would do as someone suggested, adopt two that you can keep as a duo rather than upset your existing pair and have a lone piggy :)
 
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