Possible new pig trio

[FernEden]

Hello I'm hoping someone can offer some insight into this worry I'm having because I'm driving myself mad!

I'm looking at getting a boar to add to my two sows but I'm worried about how they'll take to each other. If having to go through my first ever introduction isn't enough to send me into a tornado of worry, I've now seen a lot of opinions that trio's don't work out too well because either the two sows fight over the boar or one of the piggies gets left out. Has anyone had any issues with trio's at all, are these actually common problems? I'm rearranging my C&C so it would become a 2x8 ready for the new addition so there would be plenty of room. A lot of what I've seen has said it's best to keep pairs or quads instead of trio's.

I'm sure I'm thinking myself into a hole here but I just wanted to know people's opinions and experiences if possible! I want to make sure everyone is happy and don't want any of the pigs to be left out. If my worry doesn't subside, am I best to wait it out and see what happens or should I consider bringing home two new pigs?

Thank you for your responses!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello I'm hoping someone can offer some insight into this worry I'm having because I'm driving myself mad!

I'm looking at getting a boar to add to my two sows but I'm worried about how they'll take to each other. If having to go through my first ever introduction isn't enough to send me into a tornado of worry, I've now seen a lot of opinions that trio's don't work out too well because either the two sows fight over the boar or one of the piggies gets left out. Has anyone had any issues with trio's at all, are these actually common problems? I'm rearranging my C&C so it would become a 2x8 ready for the new addition so there would be plenty of room. A lot of what I've seen has said it's best to keep pairs or quads instead of trio's.

I'm sure I'm thinking myself into a hole here but I just wanted to know people's opinions and experiences if possible! I want to make sure everyone is happy and don't want any of the pigs to be left out. If my worry doesn't subside, am I best to wait it out and see what happens or should I consider bringing home two new pigs?

Thank you for your responses!

In my experience with a number of successful and failed mixed gender trios (I assume that the boar in question is neutered),there are two key points:
- the sows need to be good friends. A boar cannot heal an already dysfunctional bond just by his very presence. He will associate mainly with one of the sows.
- he needs to be accepted by both sows. That is not always the case. A dominant boar may not be willing to cede his bid for the top spot; this is usually a bigger issue with older sows and not usually one with younger sows. Sometimes they just don't like each other, like you don't take to all people you meet or work with.

Trios are the most vulnerable to outsider issues of some sort by their very nature. If the sows get on well, then a boar, who is part of the group but not the sow hierarchy, is a natural outsider. If there are underlying or open rifts with the sows, then he will be forced to take sides.
A mixed gender trio that works is wonderful; I have had several. If the bonding is not working out, if the constellation is not right from the word go or if the dynamics turn bad along the way, then it can give you big headaches.
Of all possible trios, the one husboar - two sows one has the best chances for success, but as always with any piggy bonding it depends on the individual personality constellation.

As with all piggy bondings, if the piggies can choose each other by rescue dating, you have a much stronger start as you come home with a trio where acceptance has happened. If you have chosen the boar or try to do the bonding at home, then things are at a greater risk of not necessarily working out the way you'd like.
As always, have a plan B at the ready!

Here are our detailed bonding tips. Please try to not interfere unless things are clearly going wrong.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

All the best!

 

[FernEden]

In my experience with a number of successful and failed mixed gender trios (I assume that the boar in question is neutered),there are two key points:
- the sows need to be good friends. A boar cannot heal an already dysfunctional bond just by his existence. He will associate mainly with one of the sows.
- he needs to be accepted by the sows. That is not always the case. A dominant boar may not be willing to cede his bid for the top spot; this is usually a bigger issue with older sows and not usually one with younger sows.

Trios are the most vulnerable to outsider issues of some sort by their very nature. If the sows get on well, then a boar, who is part of the group but not the sow hierarchy is a natural outsider. If there are underlying or open rifts with the sows, then he will have to be forced to take sides.
A mixed gender trio that works is wonderful; I have had several. If the bonding is not working out, if the constellation is not right from the word go or if the dynamics turn bad along the way, then it can give you big headaches. Of all possible trios, the one husboar - two sows one has the best chances for success, but as always with any piggy bonding it depends on the individual personality constellation.

As with all piggy bondings - if the piggies can choose each other by rescue dating, you have a much stronger start as you come home with a trio where acceptance has happened. If you have chosen the boar or try to do the bonding at home, then things are at a greater risk of not necessarily working out the way you'd like.
As always, have a plan B at the ready!

Here are our detailed bonding tips. Please try to not interfere unless things are clearly going wrong.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

All the best!

Wiebke you are so wonderful at making me feel better! When I got visit the rescue I'm going to check out the neutered boars who might fit my girlies and ask about the dating Both my girls get on well and do snuggle but one has the awful habit of rumble strutting when she doesn't get her way or has had enough and I think she may go through strong seasons sometimes. Thank you for making me feel less worried and that it may work out! I'm rescuing from Julia at Neville's Nest so I'm sure she'll look after me and the girls and make sure everything is lovely between all piggies involved!

 

[Merab]

@Wiebke has given great advice.
I bonded a lone boar with 2 sows, a mother and daughter.
It worked really well and I had 3 happy piggies until mummy pig’s unexpected sudden death.
Hope you find the perfect companion for your girls.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Wiebke you are so wonderful at making me feel better! When I got visit the rescue I'm going to check out the neutered boars who might fit my girlies and ask about the dating Both my girls get on well and do snuggle but one has the awful habit of rumble strutting when she doesn't get her way or has had enough and I think she may go through strong seasons sometimes. Thank you for making me feel less worried and that it may work out! I'm rescuing from Julia at Neville's Nest so I'm sure she'll look after me and the girls and make sure everything is lovely between all piggies involved!

I've just rescued from Julia this weekend and she is lovely and yes will look after you. I had a trio including a neutered boar (which was working very well) but wanted to add another female. I'm doing the bonding myself and it's not going too smoothly at the start so hoping next weekends attempt is better otherwise she might need to go back to Julia and I'm not sure I can bear to hand her back

 

[FernEden]

I've just rescued from Julia this weekend and she is lovely and yes will look after you. I had a trio including a neutered boar (which was working very well) but wanted to add another female. I'm doing the bonding myself and it's not going too smoothly at the start so hoping next weekends attempt is better otherwise she might need to go back to Julia and I'm not sure I can bear to hand her back

Oooh amazing! I've been thinking about adding a little boy since I got the girls a year ago and then I was on small animal training at work and all those pictures of little pig lips and videos of popcorns made my decision for me! I'm very open to getting another girl if needed and would have the space for them I'm going to visit her and the rescues on Sunday so I'll ask her all about it then! I hope your bonding goes well, one of the boys I'm looking at has just been returned because he didn't get on with his new brother so fingers crossed for you!