Bonding

[Chancey]

Hi there!

I have three piggies (sows) that are 3 months old, and I've recently gotten two more sows that are approx 8 weeks on the 10th. We've currently got our three in a big C&C cage, and the other two in our old ferplast 120 for quarantine.

The quarantine will end around the 31st, and we've been considering introducing them all and then increasing the C&C cage to be appropriate for five piggies (with as much additional space on to that as well).

I've done lots of research and read the bonding page, so I'm familiar with the neutral area and setup, to the signs and reactions. But is it recommended to introduce so many piggies at once? I have been worried about the different ways they'll react, and how to take it if they done accept both of them, but maybe one.

Or is there a recommended way to introduce a group of 3 to another pair? :o

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there!

I have three piggies (sows) that are 3 months old, and I've recently gotten two more sows that are approx 8 weeks on the 10th. We've currently got our three in a big C&C cage, and the other two in our old ferplast 120 for quarantine.

The quarantine will end around the 31st, and we've been considering introducing them all and then increasing the C&C cage to be appropriate for five piggies (with as much additional space on to that as well).

I've done lots of research and read the bonding page, so I'm familiar with the neutral area and setup, to the signs and reactions. But is it recommended to introduce so many piggies at once? I have been worried about the different ways they'll react, and how to take it if they done accept both of them, but maybe one.

Or is there a recommended way to introduce a group of 3 to another pair? :o

You follow the normal pattern as set our in the guide. I have had many group bondings, including introducing pairs or trios. Keep the piggies you want to bond next to each other for a couple of days; if necessary, split the bonding pen and have them overnight in there.
Whether the bonding works out, depends to a large extent on whether the "losing" top sow accepts she is fitting in lower down the ranks or not.

Here is a picture of my introduction of Hapus (the black and ginger one) and her sister Llawen (in the hay) to my trio in October.


All snuggled up - the sign that they have bonded really well and are ready to be moved to their cage. Some piggies prefer to keep their distance for the first few days, but as long as they are not vying for top spot, the move to the cage can still go ahead.

 

[Chancey]

You follow the normal pattern as set our in the guide. I have had many group bondings, including introducing pairs or trios. Keep the piggies you want to bond next to each other for a couple of days; if necessary, split the bonding pen and have them overnight in there.
Whether the bonding works out, depends to a large extent on whether the "losing" top sow accepts she is fitting in lower down the ranks or not.

Here is a picture of my introduction of Hapus (the black and ginger one) and her sister Llawen (in the hay) to my trio in October.
View attachment 57769

All snuggled up - the sign that they have bonded really well and are ready to be moved to their cage. Some piggies prefer to keep their distance for the first few days, but as long as they are not vying for top spot, the move to the cage can still go ahead.
View attachment 57770

Thank you so much! I'll follow the guide for it

I'm hoping this won't be the case, but in case (for some reason) the trio did accept only one of the pair and seemed to reject the other (I'm really not well versed in introduction, so I'm not sure if this is something that wouldn't happen) what course of action should I take?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much! I'll follow the guide for it

I'm hoping this won't be the case, but in case (for some reason) the trio did accept only one of the pair and seemed to reject the other (I'm really not well versed in introduction, so I'm not sure if this is something that wouldn't happen) what course of action should I take?

Keep them as they have come, in a pair and a trio. You will find that in most cases the underpiggies accept any bonding as they have nothing to lose. Please don't split established bonds unless absolutely necessary.

 

[Chancey]

Keep them as they have come, in a pair and a trio. You will find that in most cases the underpiggies accept any bonding as they have nothing to lose. Please don't split established bonds unless absolutely necessary.

Okay, thank you! I plan on bringing the pair in to the living room and close to the other three for possible a week after quarantine to allow them to get used to the sound, smell and possible sight of each other prior to introduction. For the introduction, will I still need to move to a different room for the neutral ground? Or does that change when you've had them in the same room?

Sorry for all the questions! :o

 

[Dianet]

Hi Chancey, when I tried to introduce my two pair of sows, the top two of each pair scared me at how aggresive they seemed to each other with their teeth chattering and chasing, whilst the under piggies just sat in stunned silence wondering what was going on! I gave up quite quickly as I was worried one would get hurt, but reading some other posts I may have been too hasty. I'm thinking I'll give it one more try in a bigger area. Its so hard to watch though. Good luck with your bonding. x