Introducing Two new Pigs to my existing pair

[Apollo210]

Hi all, first time poster so go easy on me but after some advice following an unsuccessful relocation this evening. We have two 2 year old female pigs who were getting on just rosey and saw two young baby pigs that needed rescuing over Christmas.

We have kept them in separate cages for a few weeks now, but they’ve been near each other so they can see/hear one another. We have also done several bonding sessions in a neutral space with little drama other than the odd bum sniff and showing off chins.

Thinking they were getting on well we have built a 7 x 2 C&C cage and attempted to relocate all four this evening into the new home. The new cage was stocked with loads of hay to eat/hide in and had plenty of food as per suggestions and all was going well until my two older pigs started showing teeth at each other. I thought this would just a little dominance issue but before I knew it they were going hammer and tongs at each other, so much so they one took a chunk out of my hand when I dived in to separate. The two babies were at the other end minding their own business.

Thankfully no blood was drawn on either pig, but clearly not happy leaving them like this, I took them out and after some strokes to calm them down have put them back in the old cage. Both now getting on happy as Larry as if nothing had happened and the babies are back in their cage as if they’d never left.

Just after some advice really, is this behaviour normal? Is it likely that I am ever going to be able to have a single cage for all four of them? And if so, what would be the best thing to do going forward. Any help would be appreciated

 

[Reenie]

Just bumping your post, as it seems to have been missed and I'm no expert on bonding. There are threads in the forum tab at the top of the page which you may find useful, and hopefully someone with better knowledge will answer shortly.

 

[Merab]

I bonded 2 pairs last year and had a thread running for it.
It’s called ‘Bonding 2Pairs’ (very imaginative title)
It tells the tale of my ups and downs but there is some very helpful and reassuring advice from other members.
I also kept the forum guide accessible- it’s excellent.
Welcome to the forum
Hope your bonding goes well.
Please can we see pictures

I should add that the bonding was successful although it took about 2 weeks for everyone to settle

 

[Apollo210]

Thanks, have just read the thread and pleasing to see patience paid off. For now I have converted the 7 x 2 cage down to two 4 x 2 cages and put them end to end. I will see how they get on over a longer period of time and assuming no more ill effects go down the bonding route again. For now they can’t see each other but can hear each, and I’ll take the screen up when I do initial bonding again.