Bonding - is this normal?

[Char-x]

I havent really ever had to bond adults together before and as some of you know I got an ex breeding pig yesturday and she hadn't moved all night, but had eaten some cucumber and carrots I put next to her and some hay she was surrounded by.

Tallulah (my boss girl) went over to her and they had a big scrap, but no blood or cuts so I left them too it - I always thought you should unless blood is drawn.

Anyway tonight they had another scrap and were running around chuttering, making all kinds of aggressive noises. When Tallulah and Montana (new girl) get in each othere faces though they look like they are having a fur ball fight, but not so dramatic as say hamsters do!

But then even Tallulah and Gypsey started having a go at each other (Gypsey usually doesnt get involved). And Montana would raise her head and bob it with her teeth out towards them.

Is all this normal/okay? I havent intervened because I thought its best to let them argue it out? I would if it got OTT with blood though of course.

Good thing is after these 'fights' she seems more confident to wander around. I just hope she isnt too dominant for my girls, especially Tallulah :{

 

[Char-x]

46 views and no replies...I'll pressume it is...lol

 

[Modwyn]

Wish I could help with advice hun but whenever I've introduced piggies over the period I've done it I've never encountered any problems. Good luck hun.

 

[stargrrlclaire]

i know you should introduce on neutral ground. keep a tea towel handy, because if they scrap, chuck it over them and they get all confused by the sudden darkness and the feel of it, so bond over the common experience. also, you could try bathing them all to get rid of familiar scents, or new scents, so they all smell the same.

I must admit I've only bonded an adolescent pair of sows to a pair of baby sows in the past, but the tea towel trick worked for us x

 

[Char-x]

Thank you.
I had them all out for fuss last night. Told Tallulah she needs to behave because Montanna will be confused and scared. Strangely enough five minutes later Tallulah went into the same cat bed as Montanna and they were fine and laid together for abit.
This morning I took Montanna out to syringe her some water, just to make sure she had some. Put her back in and they all had some cucumber, Tallulah went up to her but in a nice way and Montanna ran off dramatically but I'm glad they arent fighting now.

Maybe Tallulah actually lisened to me haha

 

[stargrrlclaire]

Sometimes they do listen and understand, but they only do it on THEIR terms rolleyes

 

[Wiebke]

Did you introduce them on neutral ground and let them get familiar with each other through bars beforehand? If not, the new girl will often react more aggressively. Introducing adult piggies takes more thought and care than introducing youngsters, as dominance issues are not as clear cut.

It sounds like they are starting to come to an understanding, though.

 

[Lucky]

I'm not expert at bonding but I do know a few tricks!

If you can get someone to help you, bathe them both together in the same bath so that they share the same experience, this can help to bond them through what can be a traumatic experience!

When they're all dried off from their bath, try having them on the kitchen floor together or the bathroom floor, preferably somewhere where neither of them has been before. This is neutral territory and no one will have first dibs on it, hopefully they will explore it together which will bring them closer.

Before returning them to their cage, make sure it is fully cleaned. New hay, new fleece or whatever you use as base for it... again so that there is no scent for first dibs!

It is normal to have a few scuffles, as they do need to establish their territory. Once the pig who wears the trousers has been established, things should settle down.

When I was bonding my two girlies, Poppy and Lucky, the lady i rescued them from gave me some advice which was to give just one lettuce leaf between them... if they shared it nicely, then hey presto! Things were going well.

It doesnt mean all doom and gloom if one runs off with it though, its just a bit of reassurance if it actually works!
Lucky always shares her lettuce leaf, she is the least dominant and the most laid back piggy I have ever had!

It depends on Poppy's mood as to whether she will share - sometimes she does, sometimes she's very selfish but she definitely wears the trousers!

There were a few scuffles when they first moved in together, always down to Poppy, not Lucky! But now that Poppy is aware that she rules the cage, they sit and sleep together... Its so cute!

Best of luck... Your philosophy is right... If there's blood... withdrawwww.

 

[Char-x]

Thank you!
I introduced them in the bath, but not with water. They did all huddle together though, however now and then there was some noises and fast movements.
I also did change all the fleece etc.
I think they are getting there slowely, just feel sorry for Montana right now as she must be feeling slightly rejected.

 

[Wiebke]

Adding a third piggy into an established duo is one of the most tricky combination you can try, as you often end up with a lonely piggy - pairing off 2 or going from 2 to 4 is a lot easier!

 

[annaliese]

Yeah Weibke is right, My two were completely unimpressed with the addition of MJ they rejected her outright and we have just paired her with a lovely older sow. Hope it all works out for the best though