Bonding bereaved sow with established sow pair

[miowmix]

Hi everyone,

I lost a sow to lymphoma on Sunday, leaving her daughter on her own.

I also have a bonded pair of sows that have lived together all their lives and are very content together.

The daughter has been placed next to the bonded sow pair in a divided 6x2. She seems very sad and is sitting by the barrier (to be near the others)?

Does anyone have any advice on matching a single sow to an established sow pair?

I'm also wondering how soon would be OK to do this?

They are all around 6 years but still very perky.

Thanks

 

[miowmix]

I have just read Wiebke's sow trio bonding guide and it's not looking good I suppose as they're all quite old. They seem chilled out but who knows how they will feel / act if put together. It does say though to give it a try, so I will attempt it slowly and carefully and will be prepared for it not to work out.

 

[KK327]

So very sorry for your loss. My dear Squirrel had lymphoma and it was awful. Sending you hugs and good luck with your bonding. Hope it goes well x

 

[Roselina]

I have just read Wiebke's sow trio bonding guide and it's not looking good I suppose as they're all quite old. They seem chilled out but who knows how they will feel / act if put together. It does say though to give it a try, so I will attempt it slowly and carefully and will be prepared for it not to work out.

Hello I’m sorry for your loss and about your bereaved piggy.
It does seem as if she is feeling the loss of her Mum.
I hope the bonding goes well.
If not do you have a plan b ? A baby will most often be accepted by a bereaved piggy , it depends if you want to carry on the piggy journey as your girls are 6. Good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

I lost a sow to lymphoma on Sunday, leaving her daughter on her own.

I also have a bonded pair of sows that have lived together all their lives and are very content together.

The daughter has been placed next to the bonded sow pair in a divided 6x2. She seems very sad and is sitting by the barrier (to be near the others)?

Does anyone have any advice on matching a single sow to an established sow pair?

I'm also wondering how soon would be OK to do this?

They are all around 6 years but still very perky.

Thanks

Hi

I am so very sorry for your loss. It is difficult to say whether the lying by the bars is territorial or yearning for company.

Give them a few days unless your daughter is pining/really struggling to cope.

It depends on whether the pair will accept the bereaved sow and whether she wants to be with others but at least she has company through the bars.

I have had elderly sows who wanted to be with others and who rebonded aged 6 or 7 with another widow or several in one of my Golden Oldies groups (I've had about 4 over the last 20 years) and other sows who refused to live with any piggy they hadn't lived with after 6 months of age but who outlived them all...
Twice I had 4 single widowed piggies, none of which would go with any of the others.

You just can't tell. You can only try and see how it goes and then take it from there. It is usually easier when they have known each other beforehand but it is never a guarantee.