Baby's or grown ups ?

[ronnievinnie]

Hi, everyone
Having lost Tonic about a month ago 8... Vodka ,Lemon and Ice need some
company (or do i just want more piggies)
I was warned when i joined this forum that my pig numbers would increase rolleyes
My ladies are all approx 3 years old. The question I have is - I would love 3 more girls but do i get babies or older pigs?
Do you have any advice - after losing Tonic I don't want to upset anyone, having said that they all seem perfectly happy and show no signs
of fretting (is it only me who misses Tonic?)
Also, am in "sunny" Essex anyone know of any lady pigs looking for new homes

Thanks to you all
Amanda x

 

[ronnievinnie]

Not sure if this post went correctly last night as my comp was very very slow

Sorry if i am repeating myself.

Amanda x

 

[Wiebke]

You can add either younger sows or sows of any age, as long as they are not dominant by nature and/or come from a background where she is used to living in a larger group. My sows have been anything between 8 weeks (baby daughter that came with mummy) and four years old (lost her dominant sister) when they joined the Tribe. If you can find a suitable adult sow, you will have less of an outsider situation. With younger girls, I would go for a bonded couple, so they have each other to fall back on.

I would strongly recommend looking round reputable rescues. They know their girls' character and suitability and can advise you accordingly. I have never had any major problems because I have always been very careful about who I added. There has been sadly the occasional girl I would have very much liked to give a home to, but who my Tribe was not the right setting for. It is important to respect the limits of what you are trying to achieve as well as the strengths.

You could also consider adding a neutered boar; however, not all older girls will accept one, so I would recommend some boar dating at a rescue with your existing three girls, if that is possible, in order to avoid a failure (which can be pretty spectacular!) I find that a boar helps me a lot with soaking up the grumpiness of sows in season and glues together my girls, as he has to get on with them all. But then I was lucky enough to build up my Tribe around my three year old neutered boar Llewelyn!

Thankfully, with girls you will generally see whether an acquaintance is worth pursuing within half an hour of meeting on neutral ground - if you have no signs of aggression then, you are usually in the dry. What follows, is hierarchy sort out, but it won't escalate in fights. If possible, I let newbies settle in next door for a few days and only introduce if there is positive interest from both sides.

 

[ronnievinnie]

Thank you lots of useful tips there. i do feel really anxious about increasing my piggy family but I really want MORE
Will start making a few enquiries

Thanks again
Amanda x

 

[ghostbusterbunny]

Wiebke has given you the best advice! I've got a range of girls from 8 week old Muffin to my 4 year old girls. My original 2 ladies were very laid back so it made introducing both similar aged sows and the two babies of my group to them very easy.

I did end up with one sow from P@H that is a complete demon around other sows (we are now waiting for a couple of neutered boars to heal up after their 'op' so we can see if she'll take a husboar instead), so I would recommend rescues for the same reason Wiebke has given you; they know the temperaments of the pigs they have and you're far more likely to get it right first time and get the right pigs for you and your little herd!

I was warned when i joined this forum that my pig numbers would increase rolleyes

Since joining this forum I have gone from three to seven. One more I'm going to pick up tomorrow, and with any luck two neutered boys from a rescue I found thanks to this forum...

Seriously, it's insane!