Spoke Too Soon, Issues Bonding!

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It is a typical pattern for sorting out a disputed ranking that both piggies feel they can hold and neither is willing to step down yet. Dominance sort outs are not constant, they happen in rounds of face-offs, and they travel down the hierarchy. A newbie is tried from the top down until they find their rung - but that rung can be sometimes disputed. As long the dispute is not too up there, there is hope.

But if you are worried, then take him out and restart again. As acceptance and most of the major dominance has happened, the piggies will pick up where they left off after a quick reaffirmation of the ranking so far. Any neutral ground is somewhat better as long as the hierarchy is not fully sorted.

Thank you for your help, well I'll pop him back and see how it goes for an hour or so and put him in his cage over night if needs be. This is draining!

Is there anything I can do to ease this along? I feel so helpless!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your help, well I'll pop him back and see how it goes for an hour or so and put him in his cage over night if needs be. This is draining!

Is there anything I can do to ease this along? I feel so helpless!

No - they have to work it out (or fail at it); there is nothing you can do. This is all about personality and ambition. \

The dominance phase is by far my least favourite part of the bonding process. I am always relieved when they are past it; and of course very unhappy if it hasn't worked out or even more so if it has failed very narrowly!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Deep breath! We're back together in the cage and the girls and they weren't bothered at all. He has been quite good too, so I'm at a loss.

I gave them all some dried treats to forage and took out all hideys to try and help. I've also sprayed some pet remedy on a bath mat and it's now on top of the cage.

I wish I knew what else I could do! It's a lot happier in there, a bit of rumbling but really tame. So I think we might be okay?



Excuse the poops, trying not to clean up too much for scent purposes, not sure if it's hindering or helping but it makes sense in my brain!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

No - they have to work it out (or fail at it); there is nothing you can do. This is all about personality and ambition. \

The dominance phase is by far my least favourite part of the bonding process. I am always relieved when they are past it; and of course very unhappy if it hasn't worked out or even more so if it has failed very narrowly!

I can try to reason with them surely?

I don't mind it too much it's just when it gets a bit heated, what I see happening (hope to happen) is for Iggy to fall to 4th and Drom to 3rd. I'd imagine Tonks will stay at the bottom bless her.

Usually I can see quite clearly when a place has been settled but I keep looking for little signs to see if it's starting to happen... Is there any kind of time limit for when it should be sorted out? I usually wait 2 weeks for them to settle completely but don't know if the same would apply to this?

I'm hoping Drom is in season and will calm down a bit haha.

 

[Swissgreys]

When I first bonded Oreo into our group of three piggies I would say it took 10 - 12 days before I felt they were truly done with the whole bonding and hierarchy thing.

 

[Wiebke]

I can try to reason with them surely?

I don't mind it too much it's just when it gets a bit heated, what I see happening (hope to happen) is for Iggy to fall to 4th and Drom to 3rd. I'd imagine Tonks will stay at the bottom bless her.

Usually I can see quite clearly when a place has been settled but I keep looking for little signs to see if it's starting to happen... Is there any kind of time limit for when it should be sorted out? I usually wait 2 weeks for them to settle completely but don't know if the same would apply to this?

I'm hoping Drom is in season and will calm down a bit haha.

You always hope that the rough sort-out is over in a day or two, and it is generally is. But occasionally two piggies get bogged down... I hope that your two will settle things!
It takes around two weeks for the whole group to come together fully.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

When I first bonded Oreo into our group of three piggies I would say it took 10 - 12 days before I felt they were truly done with the whole bonding and hierarchy thing.

Phew, thanks that's a big relief. Did you get stuck on a specific part of the hierarchy? We're about halfway through, I do hope they sort it out before my heart gives way!

Did you ever have to separate? Groups are so difficult! And to think I wanted to get another girl!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

You always hope that the rough sort-out is over in a day or two, and it is generally is. But occasionally two piggies get bogged down... I hope that your two will settle things!
It takes around two weeks for the whole group to come together fully.

Okay thank you! I shall hope for the best then. Never had this problem with my girls!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

In the end I separated them, at 2:30am when I couldn't stay awake any longer to see if they'd settle. Iggy and Drom had a bit of a launch at each other a few times but no injuries to report.

I fed them together and they were fine but it was a bit later they flared up again. I've noticed that Drom is also in season which isn't helping!

Ironically since the separation grids have gone up, Drom hasn't left Iggy's side



Sitting by the divider the whole time.





They need to sort it out We'll be trying again later so fingers crossed!

 

[Wiebke]

In the end I separated them, at 2:30am when I couldn't stay awake any longer to see if they'd settle. Iggy and Drom had a bit of a launch at each other a few times but no injuries to report.

I fed them together and they were fine but it was a bit later they flared up again. I've noticed that Drom is also in season which isn't helping!

Ironically since the separation grids have gone up, Drom hasn't left Iggy's side

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Sitting by the divider the whole time.

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Lunging is actually more a defence gesture - it is a strongly worded "stay away from me". It is only a problem if it is so strong that it is a flying tackle or if the other party keeps pushing their point.

Sounds like they have a dominance lie-in...
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They need to sort it out We'll be trying again later so fingers crossed!

Lunging is actually more a defence gesture - it is a strongly worded "stay away from me". It is only a problem if it is so strong that it is a flying tackle or if the other party keeps pushing their point.

Sounds like they have a dominance lie-in...

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Lunging is actually more a defence gesture - it is a strongly worded "stay away from me". It is only a problem if it is so strong that it is a flying tackle or if the other party keeps pushing their point.

Sounds like they have a dominance lie-in...

Sorry it wasn't like a stand off kind of lunging it was jumping on each other. I didn't word that very well!

What's that? Like a staring contest? Is it a good thing?

 

[Wiebke]

Sorry it wasn't like a stand off kind of lunging it was jumping on each other. I didn't word that very well!

What's that? Like a staring contest? Is it a good thing?

Sadly not; neither of them seem to be minded to step down unfortunately and it is rather turning into a grudge match.

I don't think they will now. Generally dominance issues should be sorted on the second day if tensions have been very high on the first one. The second day should be a lot more relaxed. If the hierarchy standing is not sorted by then, then it is likely not to be sorted as opinions and positions harden. I've had a number of cross gender bondings fail at this stage because neither piggy would step down gracefully.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Sadly not; neither of them seem to be minded to step down unfortunately and it is rather turning into a grudge match.

I don't think they will now. Generally dominance issues should be sorted on the second day if tensions have been very high on the first one. The second day should be a lot more relaxed. If the hierarchy standing is not sorted by then, then it is likely not to be sorted as opinions harden.

Oh

Would it be different if it was her season that has caused tensions? I'm gutted I didnt wait a few days for bonding...

 

[Wiebke]

Oh

Would it be different if it was her season that has caused tensions? I'm gutted I didnt wait a few days for bonding...

Generally a sow in season will accept a boar when she is ready to mate, but that doesn't mean that she will accept him as a group member. My Ffwlbri has pulled that one me and has taught me not try to use a season for bonding.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Generally a sow in season will accept a boar when she is ready to mate, but that doesn't mean that she will accept him as a group member. My Ffwlbri has pulled that one me and has taught me not try to use a season for bonding.

Ah okay, she won't let him mount her or anything, no one will.

I didn't realise that she was coming into season so I hope it hasn't messed things up!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Just tried the bonding again, I'm so lost as I don't think it's going to work

Iggy is rumble strutting all over the show and popcorning about but he and Drommy can't seem to work out who's getting that #3 spot

They've been chattering their teeth at each other and it's not been great, still no injuries but it was getting heated.

I'm sure I know the answer @Wiebke but is there any hope? I'm so gutted that everything was perfect for ages and all of a sudden they've just changed their minds?

The other 3 pigs are fine with him

With the divider he chews at it to get back in with them and they all go to visit him and it seems fine, it's really sad

 

[Louise's Zoo]

I really feel for you and also know how frustrating it can be. I have the same issue with my girls. All 5 will not work. 4 would be fine. Eva and Edna just can't work it out any more and it's so annoying because Eva and the other 3 or Edna and the other 3 works fine. With the groups separated all 5 will happily sniff and communicate through the grid, even Eva and Edna!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

I really feel for you and also know how frustrating it can be. I have the same issue with my girls. All 5 will not work. 4 would be fine. Eva and Edna just can't work it out any more and it's so annoying because Eva and the other 3 or Edna and the other 3 works fine. With the groups separated all 5 will happily sniff and communicate through the grid, even Eva and Edna!

Yea it's really upsetting. I wish I had been able to bond him earlier but he was so poorly.

It doesn't help that he's 9 months old now so he's in his prime hormonal stage. It's like he's in season 24/7 =/

I'm wondering if it's worth keeping them as neighbours for a month or so and see if he calms down?

 

[flowerfairy]

It is almost time to try and bond my neutered boar, Caramel with the lovely sows Mistletoe and Jingle. Will watch your bond with i terest.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It is almost time to try and bond my neutered boar, Caramel with the lovely sows Mistletoe and Jingle. Will watch your bond with i terest.

Good luck! It's been touch and go but it's screeched to a halt for a while lol.

I'm very disheartened but I'm hoping time will make the heart grow fonder and hormones grow weaker

 

[Janice C]

How are the piggies today?

 

[Piggy mum]

Plenty of bickering after the previous rest, everyone has come out for a check over and a cuddle to give them a break and now have Iggy out. The girls are so happy without him haha.

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I'm not sure how he's comfy, I'm certainly not

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But that's how he wanted to rest!

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He's now having a cuddle and a sleep with his nanny, hopefully he'll be nicer after a sleep!

No more injuries to report, Bella and Tonks are a bit fed up of the dramas I think. They both clung on for dear life when I put them back.

Iggy is a really cute pig I know how you feel though, the bonding can feel like a full time job!

 

[Piggy mum]

In the end I separated them, at 2:30am when I couldn't stay awake any longer to see if they'd settle. Iggy and Drom had a bit of a launch at each other a few times but no injuries to report.

I fed them together and they were fine but it was a bit later they flared up again. I've noticed that Drom is also in season which isn't helping!

Ironically since the separation grids have gone up, Drom hasn't left Iggy's side

View attachment 70926

Sitting by the divider the whole time.

View attachment 70927
View attachment 70928
View attachment 70929

They need to sort it out We'll be trying again later so fingers crossed!

My pigs sit by their divider now they've been separated, they seem to like snuggling with the mesh in between

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

How are the piggies today?

I've taken a rest day today, hoping to see if absence will make the hear grow fonder... Wishful thinking maybe

They keep visiting the prisoner and he's been rumbling away, he's certainly depressed since he's been separated again

Iggy is a really cute pig I know how you feel though, the bonding can feel like a full time job!

I hate bonding with a passion! Even my last bond wasn't as confusing as this. I just want to sit them both down and give them a stern talking to... Again!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

They eat perfectly well together, it's when the food is gone they start getting on each other's nerves!