Help - new piggy

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Basically last weekend we got two male piggies (salt & pepper named by kids) from P@H - about 9 weeks old from same litter. Unfortunately salt appeared to have a sticky eye within a day of getting home and so we rang P@H and were advised to take him back to vet in store. We did this yesterday and they said they would have to keep him - he shouldnt have been sold with sticky eye and that we should choose another.

Question - pepper has only been with us 3 days - is inside in nero 4 at present (although I have a new lavender lodge outside not yet used) - the rest of the original litter has been sold. Can we introduce another male from another local P@H? would be about the same age.

They suggest that we can and that we should introduce them on neutral ground - ie: playtime in utility room and then if OK put in lavender lodge as it will not have peppers scent as he's never been in it.

What do you guys think? We are very new to this but can see how piggies can take over your lives - we love pepper to bits.
 
Personally, I would get the brother back once he's seen a vet, and complain to p@h too, they shouldnt be able to sell sick animals :(
 
Demand to have the piggie back and take him to a vets of your choice. Make P@H pay the bill you fell in love with this piggie and you want him not another one ;) Tell them your apalled by how they have said oh we will exchange him for you its a living being not a pair of shoes tell them that. Stand your ground I would ;)
Good luck go get your baby back ;)
 
unfortunately they have catagorically stated that piggy ith sticky eye (salt) cannot and should not have been homed and so will not release him.

So please help with my question regarding introducing new male.


Katiep - thanks great website link and most helpful.
 
I would just recommend steering clear of that shop and adopting from a rescue. If one pig was sick, chances are the rest are. Don't support them by giving them any more of your money.
 
I agree, by just getting another, you are just going to be supporting the flow of poorly pet shop piggies. If you cant get the original piggy back, you are better off getting your money back, and taking your piggy to a rescue, where he can have a sniff, and choose a friend for himself :)
 
I personally used to keep Boars and never had any real trouble introducing you ones.
I just used to introduce on neutral ground.

I always had an Alpha piggie and never had any real problems. When they first were put in there was alittle altering of the pecking order, but never any scraps really.

I used to watch them for the day and seeif they seemed to settle.

Could you not try putting the some where together, where they can see each other but not touch and then slowly release them? never tried that but could work?!

like i say this is just my personal experience and findings.

As to not support p@h is there somewhere else you could purchase a boar from of a similar age? and get a refund.
 
Hi & welcome ppow :)

I'm sorry to hear what has happened. Poor little Salt, I wonder what will happen to him when he is better? :'(

I agree with Daftscotslass about going to a rescue. This way you can take Pepper along with you so they can see which piggy (if any) he will get along with. There are no guarantees, but at least this way the initial introduction is done at the rescue & if they dont get on when you get them home you have the option of taking the rescue pig back to the rescue centre. When one of my piggies died in April, we took our boy Murran along to a local rescue & now we have Gilbert & the two of them get along great. It does depend on their personalities though.

The problem you could have is Peppers age. He is coming up to being a piggy teenager now & this could cause problems with fights for dominance.

Rescue would be the best option I think. Good luck with whatever you decide to do O0
 
why dont you get a lady friend thats been spayed/neutered,, not sure which for a lady pig..lol..
 
It is very difficult to get a spayed sow, it is better to neuter the boar and get him a girlfriend, or bond him with another boar.
 
as you can tell I'm new to this.. thanks for the update PP,, I'm learning something new all the time..
 
Pumpkinpiggie said:
Demand to have the piggie back and take him to a vets of your choice. Make P@H pay the bill you fell in love with this piggie and you want him not another one ;) Tell them your apalled by how they have said oh we will exchange him for you its a living being not a pair of shoes tell them that. Stand your ground I would ;)
Good luck go get your baby back ;)
Click to expand...

Definatly right p@h needs some one to sort them out :tickedoff: I agree with u pumkin piggie! O0
 
hi everyone and thanks for all the advice - have spent the day on and off the phone and out and about.

P@H - have spoken to their head office and the vet instore who both stand by their statement that salt should not have been sold and that as I went back within my 7 day period the best they can offer is refund or another piggie.

Spoke to local pet store who put me in touch with an animal rescue place and also with a lady he knows who keeps guineas. Also spoke to local RSPCA centre who only had a pair of males.

Rescue said i couldnt take pepper with me to meet their guineas looking for new homes as he might cross infect! Said I could go along and chose by myself and that I shouldnt take along children under the age of 10 (my DD is 12 and DS is 6)

Have subsequently been and met Diane who keeps guineas - she has lots in a purpose designed room. Her recent litter are 11-12 weeks old and she was ok with my taking along pepper.

We let him have a sniff and have come home with Nibbles.

We introduced them in the outside run - which Pepper had not yet used and put in new toys (so no scent of anyone) and things went ok. After about an hour Pepper kept trying to mount Nibbles (thanks for link katiep - Barmy4Boars said this moght happen would have been worried without their advice)
A small scuffle broke out but Diane said to let them fight it out as long as no-one drew blood. A bit of bottom sniffing and then they seem to have established that Pepper although older will be king piggie!

Put them in lavender lodge about 4pm and sat in garden for hours keeping an eye on them - no problems arisen.

Have just been out to check them again and they are snuggled up together (ah sweet) even though I had put in quite a few bed possibilities.

SO hopefully fingers crossed they will be best mates (both very talkative now - lots of coos)
 
Great news, Got my two last week and one is called Nibbles, good name choice. :)
Good luck. O0
 
Glad its all sorted and that pepper has a new buddy. And I'm glad nibbles has settled. xx
 
awww how cool..I am glad they are getting along..but I can't help but feel sorry for poor Salt. :(
 
UPdate:

Pepper is just SO wonderful. He is great with kids. He loves being held and will now come to you (especially if you have broccoli in your hand). He will sit on your knee for hours being stroked. He is definately king piggy. He still keeps mounting Nibbles when they have been apart (ie: if DD has been handling Pepper) and he definately always gets first pickings at the food - sometimes he even pinches food from Nibbles.

Nibbles is much more skittery. He is still frightened of human contact although me and DD keep perservering - but he isnt happy with DS (but to be honest he is 6 and VERY LOUD!) Nibbles did eventually calm down on my knee today and enjoyed some cucumber. He will take a while to adjust to human contact as Pepper was handled alot in the two days he was on his own.

They seem to be getting along fine - only fight over food (cos Pepper is a PIG!)

Will keep you all updated.
 
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