Bonding Still not working.. I think things are getting worse....

[Sodapops]

Ive been attempting to bond Wexford with my two girls for the last week - after an un-successful start ive been giving each sow single small meetings with Wexford - but i personally feel the situation is getting worse as opposed to better.

If i were to pick a sow that would accept Wexford eventually i think it would be JJ. There have been times where she has chased him out of the wooden house of hidey - however she was quite happy to sit eating grass next to him (so long as he didn't try anything funny).

Summer on the other hand (JJ's daughter) is maybe not so accepting of him - yes she'll potter about, but as soon as i put the two together Wexford instantly chatters his teeth and this sets Summer off and she will chase him off.

There has been no blood drawn - but i think the problem lies with Wexford and the fact he's so scared - to see him popcorning and running around his cage you'd think he was quite confident.

I'm just lost at the moment as to what to do - Wexford does a lot of rumbling at the girls but the moment if they move too fast or jump out of the way he runs for cover - i think this is where the problem lies - with him not being very confident he doesn't fight for what he wants - he sort of rumbles from a distance and chatters if they come too close.

Any advice would be great - obviously i don't want to push things - however I'm finding it slightly difficult space wise to accommodate another 4ft cage @) (i already have 3 x 5ft x 2.5ft cages in my dining room)

 

[Wiebke]

Would it be possible to let him live with JJ for the time being try to reintroduce him and JJ formally to the other sows over the summer (a run on the lawn is a very good spot!) when he's settled in with a girl and a lot more relaxed? Make sure that they have two hideys, but JJ seems just to assert her dominance, nothing more and it doesn't seem to bother Wexford.

Sometimes, the long term approach works best with a piggy that is obviously frightened of others and therefore aggressive. Things may go completely different later on when Wexford has more confidence.

Could you stack cages, create a temporary upper storey or fence part of a cage off?

 

[Sodapops]

Thanks for the quick reply Wiebke

My only worry with splitting a mother and daughter up is the worry Summer may not ever again be 'accepted'. She's quite feisty and very close to her mother and if they have any time apart (such as when JJ had to have an op) she hid herself away and didn't come out until JJ was returned to the cage. When JJ was put back in she spent the next 2hrs following her everywhere and licking her face/ears at every opportunity.

At this moment in time i think JJ is tolerant of him so long as he stays at a distance - therefore i'm not that confident they could comfortably set up home together but at the same time i'm not so sure the meetings are doing much for the bonding of their relationship.

It's a catch 22 situation I'm afraid ?/

 

[Wiebke]

Would you think about taking Wexford back so he may find a little girl who likes him better? Not all sows will accept a boar sadly. We have had quite a few stories like yours - just read up on flintstones' Milo and his odyssey (who is now finally happily bonded with a fast growing cheeky little girl).

I know it is a difficult proposition to consider, but there is only so much you can do. You can wait until the girls have been in season (that is when they want him most) - if things are still not better, I would call the whole thing off. There is only so much you can you, and you have tried your best.