Bringing home baby pigs?

[pinklizzy]

Hi,
Just after some advice-we are adopting two 6 week old sows from our local RSPCA branch on Thursday who will eventually live with our lone boar. He has recently been neutered so will have to wait another 2.5 weeks until they can go together. My plan is to put them in adjoining hutches so that they can see and smell each other while we wait for him to be ready?
With regards to transposrting them, is it best to use totally new clean bedding or the blanket he used in the carrier last time? I don't want to overwhelm them too soon with everything!

 

[Wiebke]

I would use clean bedding.

It is not a bad idea for them living next door for a while; I did that with Hywel after his predecessor had passed away and he was not ready yet. The girls will have started to settle in by then and have had time to get used to their new home and your boy's presence, so the intro itself will hopefully not quite as dramatic as it can be! The first seasons tend to be much stronger as the piggies' hormones react to the pheromones.

Please be aware that you need the full 6 weeks post op wait. I have the surprise baby from a boar that had been judged safe at over 5 weeks post op, just to prove that particular point.

 

[russellrupertandrodney]

hi
some people recommend washing the hutch with warm water and vinigar. this way there is no odour of any pig so it is nobodies home to protect. clean bedding will be useful.also (as you might of alredy said that you will do) have them smelling and being close to each other for 1-2 weeks so when you put them in there is less chance of them fighting.
hope this helps!
the idea about 1-2 weeks being close but not actualy in together worked really well for me when i introduced a new pig.

russell,rupert and rodney x

 

[pinklizzy]

Thank you both, the 2.5 weeks will mean that Squeak will be 6 weeks post-op so hopefully will be fine to go in with them then.
I'll make sure I use some clean bedding when I pick them up and have cleaned the hutch (it used to be his) with F10 but will use some water and vinegar as well tomorrow..
Thank you!