Introductions & Bonding Thoughts...

[vmorin918]

Hi! We have a 1.5 year old mom, and her 4.5 month old daughter. We are hoping to add two more to our brood, (ideally between their two ages so that the baby has playmates and doesn't challenge the mom hierarchy). They both came from a rescue/sanctuary 3 months ago where they were in a huuuuge homemade cage with about 8-10 other piggies (if that matters at all).

We have found some other sow bonded pairs that need homes, but some of them are an hour (or more) away and we may not be able to do proper introductions before bringing them home (scheduling conflicts, etc.). We could always bring them back home for a typical 3-4+ hour intro in a neutral space, but if it doesn't work out in the days after, we don't have room in our apartment to build a separate cage. (We just took up all our space building a new 3x4 c&c cage with a 3x2 loft)

What has been your experience with adopting THEN doing introductions? Have you ever then had to figure out what to do if it didn't work out? (turn around and rehome? surrender to animal shelter?)

 

[Piggies&buns]

Everybody’s experience is going to be different because it is piggy character compatibility which is the deciding factor. There is always going to be a risk when introducing new piggies to an existing group that they won’t be accepted and without knowing the piggies or being able to try them before committing to them, then you just won’t know how it is going to turn out.
If you did an introduction yourself and it didn’t work out and you can’t keep the new pair then rehoming is going to be your only option. A rescue centre near me charge you for surrendering animals (they certainly did a few years ago anyway and it was £40 per small animal) so may be another thing to take into account. Some have a wait list so you may not be able to surrender them immediately and may still have to find some way to keep them at your home until they can be taken in elsewhere.

The guide below may help you.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

 

[vmorin918]

Everybody’s experience is going to be different because it is piggy character compatibility which is the deciding factor. There is always going to be a risk when introducing new piggies to an existing group that they won’t be accepted and without knowing the piggies or being able to try them before committing to them, then you just won’t know how it is going to turn out.
If you did an introduction yourself and it didn’t work out and you can’t keep the new pair then rehoming is going to be your only option. A rescue centre near me charge you for surrendering animals (they certainly did a few years ago anyway and it was £40 per small animal) so may be another thing to take into account. Some have a wait list so you may not be able to surrender them immediately and may still have to find some way to keep them at your home until they can be taken in elsewhere.

The guide below may help you.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

Yes, I've read that article a couple times. I actually just came across a lady who needs to rehome her two 10-month old girls as her family has had to travel more and her kids and other pets are taking up more time. She's willing to drive up and do introductions so fingers crossed this works out! Thank you for sharing your experience, I was starting to get anxiety and feel guilty about all of this.

 

[Wiebke]

As your mother has a group background and is still young, she will hopefully be more accepting of new additions - as long as she is the one who comes top. With two sow pairs it is generally down to whether one of them is surrendering leadership or not as the rock on which so many sow pair bonding founder. All you can do is give it a chance and see whether it works out.
All the best!

 

[vmorin918]

When it comes to the actual introductions, we have a large play pen area in our living room, fleece to put down that I just bought (and washed but it hasn't gone in their cage yet), and just stick them all in there and let them sort it out for a few hours. We'll deep clean the cage in the mean time, wash and wipe down everything so there's no lingering scents BUT I've read where you can put hideys in as long as they have 2 exits, but then others say NO hidey's at all for a few days until you're sure everyone is fine. What do you think?

 

[Siikibam]

No hides in the bonding area. But you can put 2-exit hides in their cage. Make sure there’s at least four of everything as well as multiple hay areas.

BTW if it doesn’t work you could remove the loft and stack the cages. Just a thought but I hope it does work out

 

[vmorin918]

No hides in the bonding area. But you can put 2-exit hides in their cage. Make sure there’s at least four of everything as well as multiple hay areas.

BTW if it doesn’t work you could remove the loft and stack the cages. Just a thought but I hope it does work out

OMG - I never even thought of just closing off the loft and making that its own cage! I discovered tonight that the table in our bedroom the tv is on, could hold a 2x3 cage with only a few inches of cage hanging over so that’s a back up plan.

Thanks for reminding me about multiple hay areas. right now we have a big hay bag (see below) but I’ll be sure to put the old hay basket downstairs too. Along with a couple corner litter boxes to try and get the new girls “trained” lol

 

[Siikibam]

I’d say a 3x2 is on the small size and smaller than the recommended for two sows. 2x4 or 3x3 would be best.
PS I like your fleece

 

[Piggies&buns]

I agree. A 2x3 is only around 112 cm and the absolute smallest you can keep piggies (as per rspca welfare standards ) in is 120cm (and sometimes that it too small for some piggies).

 

[vmorin918]

So, turns out, the woman who is bringing them over has a midwest cage (60cm x 119cm). It's not ideal, BUT it could work temporarily if they don't get along. We also have a huge play pen so they would get lots of space there quite frequently.

 

[Merab]

Hope things go well for you.
I successfully bonded 2 pairs of sows last year.
The bonding was stressful and they took about 2 weeks to settle.
My main issue was who going to take 2nd place.
My oldest girl, Merab, was always going to be top pig and baby Phoebe at the bottom.
Jemimah and Priscilla had a few tussles, some nips and fur pulling before settling down to be best friends
I found the forum guides and members’ help made it easier for me.
Good luck

 

[vmorin918]

Hope things go well for you.
I successfully bonded 2 pairs of sows last year.
The bonding was stressful and they took about 2 weeks to settle.
My main issue was who going to take 2nd place.
My oldest girl, Merab, was always going to be top pig and baby Phoebe at the bottom.
Jemimah and Priscilla had a few tussles, some nips and fur pulling before settling down to be best friends
I found the forum guides and members’ help made it easier for me.
Good luck

Thank you! Glad to hear your bonding went well, I think our 4 month old might take second place... she's at the "teenage attitude" stage it seems like HAHAHA This forum is great, couldn't have made it this far without everyone!