Bonding 2 Pairs

[Merab]

So I now have 2 bonded pairs of sows.
Merab and Jemimah have been together for just over 3 years. Jemimah’s sister recently died. Merab is 6 so she’s 3 years older than Jemimah.
They are well bonded.
I now have a mother and daughter pair.
Priscilla is about 9 - 10 months while Phoebe is about 6 months.
I’m thinking about the pros and cons of merging the 2 pairs.
From what I have read bonding 2 younger sows with 2 older sows stands a good chance of working.
I don’t want to disrupt either existing bond.
At some point Jemimah will probably be left alone as Merab is now 6.
Both Merab and Jemimah have very placid, laid back characters.
I seek wisdom and guidance from forum members please.
I can’t do anything for a while as the new piggies need time to settle and their vet check.
Thanks

 

[Flutterby]

How confident are you at doing bondings? I always start with having them live side by side for a while when possible so they can touch, smell, see and hear eachother but aren't able to actually fight.

 

[Merab]

I feel confident about doing the bonding - but previous bondings have been a bereaved single with a new pair. Plan B was always if they didn’t like each other the new pair would carry on together and I would look for another companion.
So far I’ve been lucky in that the bonding has worked.
I’ve never tried to bond 2 pairs.
After Priscilla and Phoebe have had their vet check on Thursday I will move their cage closer as you suggest to give them more direct contact.
When I have time to rearrange the piggy room I can build an extension to the C& C cage which will - hopefully- be home for 4 piggies, or a connected home for 2 pairs.
Hope to do that this weekend.
I just want to draw on the experience of those of you who have done this before.
Thanks, I appreciate the advice

 

[Gem789]

I’ve bonded a few pigs now.My most recent was 2 girls I took on in march from a lady who couldn’t manage the vet bills for one with dental issues.I bonded them with my 4 sows and wasn’t sure it was gonna Work but luckily they get on great now.Its always a nerve wracking time during a bonding session but I say go for it.

 

[Flutterby]

Brill! As long as you are confident and follow the guides on here then it's just about reading the signals right and giving them enough time and space in an neutral area to sort out their differences.

 

[Merab]

Thank you for the advice and the reassurance.
I think I’m just nervous about risking disrupting Merab & Jemimah’s bond but as the youngsters seem to be settling well I will try bonding them st the weekend.
That will have given Priscilla and Phoebe time to get used to their new surroundings and they’ll have had their vet check on Thursday.
All I have to do is dismantle a table to create space for the C&C extension.
I have a 2X4 loft which was never built because the table was in the way. I can add that as a single storey extension to make an L shaped cage.
The long part is 2X5 so that should be fine for 4 sows.
Watch this space

 

[Merab]

Bonding day - don’t know about the piggies but I’m feeling slightly nervous.
It’s all started well with all 4 not paying much attention to each other.
Then we had them following each other nose to bum.
Phoebe- the baby seems to have been accepted easily but we have teeth chattering, noise and minor tussles with Jemimah and Priscilla.
They’re taking a break now which is good for my nerves

More to follow

 

[Gem789]

Good luck with the bonding x

 

[PigglePuggle]

How exciting! I do hope they all make friends and form a lovely herd

 

[Betsy]

Good luck Heather. I'm sure everything will be fine!

 

[Merab]

At the moment Jemimah and Phoebe are snuggling together- still noise from Jemimah.
Merab wandering around in her usual placid way
Priscilla has worked her way under the towel and is quiet.
I’m hoping this is good. Just finishing the cage extension and then I think I’m going to try all 4 in it together.
Spare cage on standby!

 

[Merab]

Success

All 4 girls in their new cage and all seeming to be happy together.
One very relieved and happy slave here.
Thanks @Wiebke for the bonding thread information.
It’s been so helpful.

 

[Merab]

PS thanks for all the encouragement from you all

 

[Betsy]

You now have a happy herd of 4 Heather how lovely!

 

[Wiebke]

Glad that it has worked out. You just never know how they react with each other. Having a little herd is always great!

 

[Merab]

Glad that it has worked out. You just never know how they react with each other. Having a little herd is always great!

Just noticed that Jemimah now has a little cut on her nose. She had one that looked like an accidental nick from Priscilla- now there is a second one.
They still occasionally are facing off with each other but at what point do I worry about them and how long do I give them to sort out their place in the tribe.
Much of the time they are peaceful and will sit or lie close to each other.
Priscilla is Phoebe’s mother - Jemimah was the bottom in my trio. She’s 3 to Priscilla’s 10 months.

Merab and Phoebe both seem perfectly happy.
I may just be getting anxious but don’t want to break what seems a good bonding, or Allie it continue because I misread the signs.

 

[Wiebke]

Just noticed that Jemimah now has a little cut on her nose. She had one that looked like an accidental nick from Priscilla- now there is a second one.
They still occasionally are facing off with each other but at what point do I worry about them and how long do I give them to sort out their place in the tribe.
Much of the time they are peaceful and will sit or lie close to each other.
Priscilla is Phoebe’s mother - Jemimah was the bottom in my trio. She’s 3 to Priscilla’s 10 months.

Merab and Phoebe both seem perfectly happy.
I may just be getting anxious but don’t want to break what seems a good bonding, or Allie it continue because I misread the signs.

A little scratch is nothing to worry about and the dominance phase lasts around 2 weeks in a group until everything is fully settled; the worst of it should however be over in 2-3 days (longer in larger groups). Dominance travels down the hierarchy; it is always between the two sows that are ranked next to each other to make sure that nobody can climb up further than they are punching.

 

[Merab]

A little scratch is nothing to worry about and the dominance phase lasts around 2 weeks in a group until everything is fully settled; the worst of it should however be over in 2-3 days (longer in larger groups). Dominance travels down the hierarchy; it is always between the two sows that are ranked next to each other to make sure that nobody can climb up further than they are punching.

Thank you.
That’s what I thought but just wanted to be sure.
All is quiet at present.

 

[VickiA]

Most of my bondings have had a minor nick on the nose - like a little scrape from a tooth or a claw. I’ll be honest it always upsets me, but I watch the behaviour after I’ve noticed it and if there’s no abject hostility I leave well alone. It’s as though the piggies themselves know that these things happen.

 

[Merab]

Thank you.
Previous bondings went without a hitch but I knew that bonding 2 pairs would be different.
Just grateful for the reassurance

 

[VickiA]

I’m sure they will work it all out between them. It’ll be lively when they all come into season, though

 

[Gem789]

I love a happy ending

 

[Merab]

I may have spoken too soon.
Priscilla is giving Jemimah a hard time and I noticed as I left this morning that the tussle they were having escalated and resulted in a chunk of fur being yanked from Jemimah. Not sure about blood.

I don’t want to panic unnecessarily but I does this mean they will not bond in which case I will separate them this afternoon when I get home

Thanks
Panicked ofi Marlborough

 

[PigglePuggle]

Oh no! Piggy group psychology can be so complicated can't it? Calming friendly vibes to your little naughty herd!

 

[Betsy]

Oh dear Heather! And it all seemed to be going so well!

 

[Merab]

All quiet and peaceful when I got back but I will be busy most of the afternoon and evening now.
Jemimah’s tucked away in a tunnel so I can’t see if she’s hurt or not.
Will check before I go out again.
It was so easy the last time!

 

[Merab]

All still quiet although Priscilla did try to have a go at Merab as well. This is after having paid no attention to Merab.
I think she’s aiming for top piggy
Husband refers to Priscilla as “ hair with attitude “.

 

[Betsy]

All still quiet although Priscilla did try to have a go at Merab as well. This is after having paid no attention to Merab.
I think she’s aiming for top piggy
Husband refers to Priscilla as “ hair with attitude “.

How does Merab feel about that?

 

[Merab]

Merab went straight to submissive mode.
She really doesn’t care and if left alone will just get on with being her usual placid self, doing exactly what she wants.
Still quiet although apparently there was noise this afternoon when husband fed them.
We’re making sure that all food and hay is sprinkled liberally all round the cage rather than in one place.
I think I’m just getting over anxious because it was so easy last time.

 

[Gem789]

I may have spoken too soon.
Priscilla is giving Jemimah a hard time and I noticed as I left this morning that the tussle they were having escalated and resulted in a chunk of fur being yanked from Jemimah. Not sure about blood.

I don’t want to panic unnecessarily but I does this mean they will not bond in which case I will separate them this afternoon when I get home

Thanks
Panicked ofi Marlborough

It sounds like fear aggression to me.I had this when I bonded my 2 newest to my existing 4.I was very worried cheese was gonna have a full on fight with fuzz but luckily it died down and they get on fine now.