Lottie bonding with the herd.. failed :(

Hannah_xx

Hannah_xx

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I’m so gutted. I introduced Lottie with the rest of the herd today. I put her and Mary together first as Mary is usually always the one that takes offence to a newbie. But they got along fine! I was SO pleased as she was the only one I was worried about. Next I added in Olive, As she’s at the bottom of the pecking order.. Well Olive decided straight away that she HATES Lottie and feels super threatened by her (They are the same size after all!). I ended up putting Opal and Patrick in too, No issues with them, Patrick wouldn’t leave her alone trying to hump her but that’s ok. But Olive just kept chasing Lottie, she had her hackles up, mouth wide open and teeth chattering. I tried for a good 45 mins but Olive just wasn’t calming down and she even started testing her dominance with the others. In the end Opal and Olive almost had a proper brawl! Enough was enough I couldn’t risk my bonded 4 falling out.
I’m gutted, I really thought they’d accept a youngster. Didn’t expect Olive to cause the problem :soz:
I either take Lottie back to the shop ,like I said I would to my partner if they didn’t get along..Or I persuade him to let me find Lottie a friend to up pair in a separate cage (which would take up lots of room!).
I really love Lottie already.. I had a good feeling it would work out and it hasn’t. I can’t possibly send her back to the petshop where she would most likely be bought by clueless people and she’ll rot away lonely and forgotten in a hutch 😭

Here is a video of her and Mary getting along:

And a video of the first minute with Olive, as you can see it started off on the wrong foot.
I didn’t video anymore after it got worse.

Mary and Lottie sharing food.

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Lottie stole Olives mouthful which did NOT go down well..
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Photos make it look like they were getting along but they really were not.
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And Lottie looking worried56A7F8D1-ECB5-456D-AF82-C6E5BDDD2D04.webp

And here she is in her freshly cleaned and extended cage..
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☹️ I’m sorry it didn’t work out. Would you be willing to perhaps move Mary in with Lottie?
 
Siikibam said:
☹ I’m sorry it didn’t work out. Would you be willing to perhaps move Mary in with Lottie?
Click to expand...

Mary is so happy in with her herd, she’s top Mare and is Wifey to Patrick.. would hate to separate them :(
I shouldn’t have got another pig knowing how settled they all are. But my heart got the better of me when I saw Lottie. I just love them all so much 😭
 
So sorry that they didn't get on! It's so tough when you just want them all to get on and they have other ideas :( Fingers crossed you can get your other half on board with keeping her and and a friend, she's such a cutie.
 
YvonneBlue said:
Could you try Opal with Lottie?
Click to expand...

I would feel terrible splitting Opal up from everyone that she’s always know. Opal and Olive are ‘siblings’ and have a love hate relationship with each other, but they work well togther! And Opal is great friends with Mary and Patrick. Those 3 always have secret tea (sleep) party’s upstairs!.. while poor little Olive is never invited.

I'm sure I can flutter my eyelashes at Jon to let me have just ONE more pig.. Afterall I’ve got a hospital procedure tomorrow and will need a present afterwards for being so brave RIGHT?!:cool:
 
Ahhh get Lottie a friend! One more won't make any difference! 😆😆😆
 
such a shame it didn’t work out. Why do I get the feeling that another piggy might be on the way 🥴
 
I am so sorry your bonding didn't work out. You definitely need another piggy, just the thing after a hospital appointment. What about Lottie's sister who was with her in the shop. :D
 
Oh dear, the best laid plans...! We had this issue with Tallulah, she was a tiny skinny pig baby desperate for company... and it ended in bloodshed! I think this is the point where you sit her looking ever so cute on your OH's lap then tell him she needs to go back... basic psychology says he will argue against that and she'll have her own C&C and husboar by the end of the week like Tallulah does :) paws crossed she can stay! X
 
Hannah_xx said:
I’m so gutted. I introduced Lottie with the rest of the herd today. I put her and Mary together first as Mary is usually always the one that takes offence to a newbie. But they got along fine! I was SO pleased as she was the only one I was worried about. Next I added in Olive, As she’s at the bottom of the pecking order.. Well Olive decided straight away that she HATES Lottie and feels super threatened by her (They are the same size after all!). I ended up putting Opal and Patrick in too, No issues with them, Patrick wouldn’t leave her alone trying to hump her but that’s ok. But Olive just kept chasing Lottie, she had her hackles up, mouth wide open and teeth chattering. I tried for a good 45 mins but Olive just wasn’t calming down and she even started testing her dominance with the others. In the end Opal and Olive almost had a proper brawl! Enough was enough I couldn’t risk my bonded 4 falling out.
I’m gutted, I really thought they’d accept a youngster. Didn’t expect Olive to cause the problem :soz:
I either take Lottie back to the shop ,like I said I would to my partner if they didn’t get along..Or I persuade him to let me find Lottie a friend to up pair in a separate cage (which would take up lots of room!).
I really love Lottie already.. I had a good feeling it would work out and it hasn’t. I can’t possibly send her back to the petshop where she would most likely be bought by clueless people and she’ll rot away lonely and forgotten in a hutch 😭

Here is a video of her and Mary getting along:

And a video of the first minute with Olive, as you can see it started off on the wrong foot.
I didn’t video anymore after it got worse.

Mary and Lottie sharing food.

View attachment 150192
View attachment 150193

Lottie stole Olives mouthful which did NOT go down well..
View attachment 150194View attachment 150195View attachment 150196

Photos make it look like they were getting along but they really were not.
View attachment 150197

And Lottie looking worriedView attachment 150198

And here she is in her freshly cleaned and extended cage..
View attachment 150199
Click to expand...
Such as shame! I hope you can keep her. What about pairing her with Mary?
 
You definitely need another piggy to lift your spirits after your procedure. I really hope she can stay on with you. They worm their way into our hearts pretty quick don’t they!
 
Oh no :(! Getting another pig sounds like a good idea.
It’s certainly a tricky situation, hopefully you’ll find a solution.💕
 
I’m so sorry it didn’t work with her joining the herd. A new pair it is me thinks! :D x
 
So sorry little Lottie's bonding didn't go to plan. I hope you get something sorted as she is lovely. But you are right not to upset your current herd arrangements.
 
So sorry that this didn't work out. Sows can be unpredictable, for sure.
 
Aww olive really did not want to play did she! Hopefully you can work your charm on john and get lottie a friend ... I am waiting for a boar to add to my trio of girls and I know already I will be gutted if they hate him....
 
It’s such a shame that we’ve gone back on lockdown here. 6 weeks. Which means I won’t be able to find a rescue friend. I’m annoyed at myself for buying from a pet shop (well it’s a weird petshop it’s also a car garage!) and it looks like that’s what I’ll have to do again in order to find her a friend. I’m hoping they still have some. She’s absolutely desperate for a friend, she keeps biting at the bars between them all. And she’s always speaking to them so I would hate to wait 6 weeks. Well actually I don’t think any rescues even the RSPCA have been operating since about March so not sure when they will ever open for adoptions again..
 
Hehehehe...
Okay Jons letting me get another piggy friend for Lottie Tottie :D
We went back to the place we got Lottie from today in the hope to get one of her siblings she was with, but unfortunately they didn’t have any piggies left at all. In a way I wasn’t too upset as now I can keep my eyes peeled for a rescue or one from Gumtree that needs a new home. It’s a shame Lottie has got to be on her own for a little while longer but at least she has a forever home.
We even bought some tables that Jons going to lower, so we can make a cage for Lottie and friend that goes on top of the other pigs c&c cage.
I have the best boyfriend ever. AND he bought me David Gray Concert tickets for November next year in Melbourne! I’m so spoilt at the moment :gp::lol!::)):clap: image.webp
 
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