Not quite going to plan...

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Little Piggles

Little Piggles

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Well, I can safely say that I don't ever want to introduce a boar to an established group of sows again!

Boris was neutered five weeks ago today and so this evening he was introduced to the Girls. However, I let them all down and wimped out, so just need a little re-assurance... :(


Willow was the first to bump into Boris and after a bit of teeth chattering and a bit of a nip from Willow, he pretty much got the message to keep his distance. Ever the tryer though, he followed her round and round til he spotted Pixel. She pretty much allowed him to sniff at her and follow her around with the odd bunny hop to try and get rid of him.

And then came Pippa.... We had been wondering for a while if she'd given up her crown to Willow, but boy did she show Boris (and then Willow and Pixel too!) who was in charge. She fluffed herself up and started with the teeth chattering whenever Boris was in sight. They had a little scuffle which resulted in Boris losing a mouthful of hair, but (thankfully!) no real viscious lunging. Pippa was constant with the chattering, but he soon got the idea that he should steer well clear! The problem was he had a VERY short memory and soon forgot her warnings and so it started all over again. Boris seemed to think that teeth chattering back was the way forward - it wasn't!

Things quietend down for a short while and each took to a different corner of the room and all seemed to relax on their own

Pippa's behaviour was quite confusing though, she was all chattering teeth and whiny noises and then in the next moment rumblestrutting him. She was quick to investigate when one of the other girls made a noise too. I can't help but feel that Boris is instigating it all though as his first reaction when bumping into one of the girls (especially Pippa and Willow) was to chatter. He then alternated between teeth chattering and rumblestrutting (it was strutting, not agressive pacing and posturing)

During all this, Pixel pretty much kept out of the way as much as possible

As they seem to be in complete stalemate (after about 4 and a half hours) I lost my nerve and put them back into their respective hutches, I couldn't leave them over night as they still seem to have quite alot to sort out between themselves. But I am now worried that I may have done more harm than good :(

Weather permitting tomorrow, they will all go out together on the lawn early in the morning and stay out all day. If it's wet, we'll set up the outdoor run in the living room so they have plenty of space and can stay in there over night too if need be.

My next step if they still won't settle would be a bath.

Am I doing the right thing or am I missing something. I've been on tenterhooks all night!

Is Boris' age a factor in this (he's the youngest of the pigs)

Deep down, I know I'm being a wuss and just need to let them work themselves out, but they seem to have come so close to fighting and I really don't want any of them to be hurt :(

Sorry for the essay!
 
Just realised that I probably should have posted this in Behaviour, oops :(

Also, all of this happened when they had full run of the living room

Thanks :)
 
Hi - sorry things didn't go as you hoped. As for your next move, it's a bit hard to advise as all piggies are different. If the whole group in one go is a bit intimidating you could try just introducing him to the dominant until she accepts him and then get the rest in one at a time. As stress can trigger the girls to come in to season some may well be more obliging today.

Best of luck, don't give up!

Suzy x
 
That doesn't sound too bad - it sounds like when I introduced Orson. That wasn't lovely and he got nipped and did his macho man act alot.

Personally I would get on with it again first thing as you plan to and just keep a good eye on them all day - you're right if they need the run all night then so be it - that's worked for me before now too.

no hideys with only one entrance but I expect you know that already.

GOOD LUCK!
 
Thanks guys! x>> I think I just needed to hear it!

I just need to pop out and then as soon as I get back, I'll put just Pippa and Boris out together and let them sort themselves out first

Finger's crossed for peace! :))
 
No aggressive kicks and bloody bites from the girls, so it doesn't sound hopeless at all. Man in testosterone overdrive is totally normal. Lots of squeaking from girl as well - that means "I'm interested, but not ready - yet!"

If there is just teeth chattering and minor scuffles, then I would continue to sit it out - perhaps not a bad idea starting with an extra session with Pippa first. And a big plate of food or grass when the others join in. Keep them together for as long a stretch as possible, but make sure that you have plenty of time to watch them when you finally transfer the whole group to their cage, as home ground will usually trigger another round of dominance behaviour from the top sow.

With sows problems show often straight at the beginning, and while signals haven't been great, they haven't been too alarming, either, so take heart.
Suzygr's advice is always worth taking on board.
 
i have 2 groups of neutered boars and their girls and neither group will except another sow:(

1 boar has 2 girls the other 3 but ive tried so hard to get them except another sow but not a chance, their group is astablished and thats how they like it..

i tried my 5 year old sow and 2 year old sow in with the boar with 2 sows and wholey hell broke loose...

I tried another sow a few months later with my boar and his 3 ladies and the boar was jumping at the new sow with his teeth showing...

I think their happy with who they have and wont take anyone else in..

the dom sow is always the worst and the hardest to win around..
 
Thanks both. I currently have Pippa (dominant girl) and Boris out on the living room floor.

We have had lots of chattering again and lots of whiny noises from Pippa but she seems to be just about tolorating him. She has allowed him to sniff at her and they shared a plate of grass, but almost each time he approaches her now he chatters, which provokes a reaction in her and she has struck out to nip him (coming away with fur more than once).

At first he rumblestutted her and she seemed to accepted this. She just doesn't like his chattering and this seems to be what is causing the problems.

At the moment, though, she is lay down inside one of the boxes and he is lay just out to the side.

We've had no real, hard aggression but they're very tense!

Will keep you posted...
 
Whiny noises are the normal reaction and mean acceptance (but not readiness for mating). Poor Boris is most probably just on overload from too many conflicting messages and hormones; he should calm down eventually.

As the aggression is not coming from Pippa anymore who seems to have accepted him, I would try and see how it goes with more sows around. it is not going smoothly, but you are getting there.
 
Sorry to hear that it is not going as smoothly as you hoped. I hope they all settle down soon.
 
I hope it all works out. Keep us posted.

Poor Boris...Too many ladies telling him different things...I bet he was very confused. Glad it seems to be coming along now. Oh, I really do hope it all works out.
 
If Bette and Milo can do it your lot can, and as they are only chattering I wouldn't be too concerned.

Nerves of steel remember! :)!
 
*Whispers so as not to jinx anything*

I think we've cracked it! xx>>>


I'll create a new post later this evening, but thanks to everyone for your support - especially flintstones x>>

All four are currently in their pen snoozing. Boris and Willow are even sharing the same box!

They'll be staying in the living room tonight before they move out to their hutch together, but finger's crossed it's all now going okay ;)
 
Good to hear that - bonding is not an easy business, as standing back and letting them get on with it is difficult; especially in those moments when it is a bit touch and go. Each bonding is different, too, so you have to pretty much read the piggy language as best as you can to know when which piggy has reached its limit...

The good thing with cross gender bondings is that once the boy has been accepted by the top sows, that's it - forever!
 
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