Any words of wisdom?

[Woodlouse]

Hello! Tomorrow I am introducing neutered boar (op was 7 weeks ago) Dude to my current trio of sows (Artoo, Blizzy & Winnie) and newly adopted Honeypig sows Coco and Sadie.

I have an experienced piggie friend joining me for the day and have done a little bit of piggie bonding before (and LOTS of bunny bonding) but just wondered if anyone has any advice or words of wisdom for me please?

Obviously, neutral territory will be used!

Thanks in advance for any help. I promise pigtures of my new little herd asap! x

 

[daisyd]

As it is 1 boy with a group of girls I recommend lots of neutral space somewhere that wont matter if things get a bit smelly. There may be quite alot of spraying from the girls if they are chassed about by the boy! If it is warm or dry enough (not sure the weather is looking to good tho!) a spell on the lawn would probably be best.

Also some food to distract them all might help them to settle down and just get along together. I have always found this helpful with piggies, unlike my bunnies where food is still a point of friction even tho they have been bonded for a few months now.

 

[Niki]

When i bond i have a pen, on neutral ground & put a pile of hay in & some veggies but nothing else. I add the pigs, sit & watch.

I'd expect lots of chasing & mounting from your boy, lots of noise from him & the girls & as has been said the girls, if fed up with him, will kick him & or spray urine in his face

 

[Woodlouse]

When i bond i have a pen, on neutral ground & put a pile of hay in & some veggies but nothing else.

So no hidey holes? I never have in the past ... but wondered if I'd done it wrong before? x

 

[Niki]

So no hidey holes? I never have in the past ... but wondered if I'd done it wrong before? x

I choose not to because it takes away the temptation to corner one pig in it, you could put tunnels in there or anything with 2 entrances/exits if you want to

 

[Wiebke]

Here is a collection of tips which may help: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38562

 

[Woodlouse]

I choose not to because it takes away the temptation to corner one pig in it, you could put tunnels in there or anything with 2 entrances/exits if you want to

Great, thanks. Have plenty of tunnels so they can have those and a big pile of hay/veg x