Help!

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ralfie

I'm pretty new at the whole piggie thing and need some advice on introducing Pepper (female) with her new friend (no name yet and male!).
We're trying to introduce them slowly but each time we do Pepper is evil, biting and bullying the poor little man who seems quite timid. :'(
Do we keep trying them together on neutral ground? How long does it usually take for them to bond? I used to have piggies as a kid and don't remember ours ever fighting when introduced? ?
Hope somebody has some good advice as i think my oven glove and towel combo have had enough of being used to seperate teeth and fur!
 
It's possible she just wants to be alone, you know? If not, maybe she'd rather be housed with another female? I'm not an expert, so I don't know for sure.
 
Some progress today. They have both been out together on my dining room floor of all places, without too much trouble. They both seem happy enough to follow each other around and there's been plenty of popcorning and chattering. The only thing is that Pepper nips him(still no name) when he makes a 'move' on her and it looks like it could get nasty if he keeps trying. Does anyone think things will get better in time? Pepper has certeinly shown that she's boss and he does back down and go his seperate way, but he must have the memory span of a goldfish and keep going back and trying again.
 
Is your fella neutered? :-\

Cos Pepper has been on her own for a while, it's just going to take her some time to adjust :)
 
Yeah he is. Think today has been a bit of a turning point, I really thought that they weren't gonna get along. She's definately not gonna take any cr@p off him tho!
 
After doing loads of research on introducing pigs my 2 were getting on great on neutral ground with only a little bit of teeth chattering and the odd gentle nip. Because they were getting on so well I tried them in the hutch together. Disaster struck. Gizmo ended up with a little clump of fur missing but no blood or other injuries. Have now come to the decision that they probably will get on well together if it were not for the dominance thing with Pepper being totally in charge of her home. Have read on some site that a very thorough clean of the hutch will help as will some vicks or lavender oil on the end of their noses could help too? Does anyone else have any advice as it seems a shame for them to get on so well on neutral ground and I'm sure they would love to keep each other company.
nikki x
 
I was told to use tea tree cream on their noses, but I found it didnt work. So I might try your suggestions. Thanks!
 
I think you need to give them more sessions on neutral territory first before trying them again in a hutch.  And, when you do, make sure it is really clean and does not smell of one piggie.
Together sessions on a lap are good for helping with bonding as well.

Here is an idea we tried with Sam and Roo which I have never seen suggested anywhere else:
As soon as we got Roo, we alternated every day which pig had which cage and run. We thought that way, when we came to put them in together, neither pig would see it as 'his' and defend it.
I don't know whether or not that made any difference, but they became good friends anyway, so it can't have done any harm!
 
what i would suggest is swap cages half way through the week (without cleaning them) so they will get to know each others smell, that will help when it come to the real thing!
 
Some success I think. :) Bathed my pigies together today in the hope it would help make them bond. Bet you're all thinking silly moo................... she's too impatient(!) but I was sure it was just territorial behaviour on Pepper's part after having her home to herself for a while. I cleaned the hutch out with a small animal cleanser and scrubbed feeding bowls, water bottles etc and filled my bathing bowl..... 2 sorry looking pigs later and a very wet nikki, I rubbed a tiny amount of vicks on their little noses and popped them into their new clean home. No sniffing, no rumbling, no teeth chattering just 2 hungry little fella's looking for their food. Have been sat watching them for ages and things look good so far. Daughter is keeping vigil as I type! Think I'm gonna let them stay in the same cage tonight but put up a wire partition so they can still see/smell each other, while I have a decent kip (not wondering if they're ripping each other apart!). Does anyone else think this may be a success or am I counting my chickens? X ;D
 
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