Squabbling sows!

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britboyjon

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Sorry if this post is in the wrong place but I've never done this before and if some one could let me know if this is right, that would be awesome ;)

Anyway, my real problem is...
I've recently adopted another piggie from a rescue near me, she is now three months old. My plan was to introduce her to my two other guineas, Pickle & Chutney, However a couple of days after trying to introduce them, Pickle is constantly flying at Marmalade (the new pig) and nipping her on the ear. Marmalade squeals at this and tries to hide. it is constant so long as they are in the same cage. I've separated them for now for the sake of the baby. After checking her over I've seen that pickle has drawn blood. I did everything according to the book, introducing them on neutral territory, bathing them together and not inter fearing with them when first introduced.
Pickle is driving me crazy and i'm running out of options on what to do next! 8...
If anyone has any ideas on what i could try or do please let me know
Thanks, Jon
 
Welcome to you and your piggies!
I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble grouping your sows, however the general consensus is that once blood has been drawn it is extremely difficult for a pairing to happen, and often that act of aggression means that they just will not work. You may have to face that Marmalade is not likely to be able to be introduced into your group, particularly if Pickle is continuing to be aggressive. Could you consider adopting another pig to live with Marmalade? Does your rescue offer sow dating? Marmalade can then pick her own companion to live with.
Perhaps you could try putting their cages side-by-side, so they can see, hear and smell each other but are not able to get to each other. It might help them get used to each other without the risk of violence.
 
Hi there
Hehe just realized that I've watched one of your videos!

About the bonding-
I'd leave it a few days with them separate (when I first introduced my two pigs to one another I left them a week separate with a divider through the middle of the cage) and then try them all together. Wash everything in their cage before re-introducing to make sure that it doesn't smell of anybody and again (I know you said you have done this) if you can, it may be a good idea to bathe the piggies before hand.
Sometimes trios don't work out and because Pickle and Chutney are already bonded it means that it is harder to bond them all. I've heard that some people have introduced their pigs on the grass, but you would have to make sure that your run is accessible and that you can always reach in to put something their to separate them if anything gets bad. Just don't put your hand between fighting piggies - I know a few who have done so and their hands haven't looked too great for a while afterwards!
Also remove any hidies with one exit/entrance so that if Marmalade gets scared, she has an escape route if Pickle tries to block her in.

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble bonding them, I hope that I've helped you a little.
 
SapphireDreams said:
Welcome to you and your piggies!
I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble grouping your sows, however the general consensus is that once blood has been drawn it is extremely difficult for a pairing to happen, and often that act of aggression means that they just will not work. You may have to face that Marmalade is not likely to be able to be introduced into your group, particularly if Pickle is continuing to be aggressive. Could you consider adopting another pig to live with Marmalade? Does your rescue offer sow dating? Marmalade can then pick her own companion to live with.
Perhaps you could try putting their cages side-by-side, so they can see, hear and smell each other but are not able to get to each other. It might help them get used to each other without the risk of violence.
Click to expand...

I agree, if it does not work out and Pickle continues to be aggressive towards Marmalade, it might be an idea to look into getting another piggy to live with Marmalade.
 
Puzzlepigs said:
Hi there
Hehe just realized that I've watched one of your videos!

About the bonding-
I'd leave it a few days with them separate (when I first introduced my two pigs to one another I left them a week separate with a divider through the middle of the cage) and then try them all together. Wash everything in their cage before re-introducing to make sure that it doesn't smell of anybody and again (I know you said you have done this) if you can, it may be a good idea to bathe the piggies before hand.
Sometimes trios don't work out and because Pickle and Chutney are already bonded it means that it is harder to bond them all. I've heard that some people have introduced their pigs on the grass, but you would have to make sure that your run is accessible and that you can always reach in to put something their to separate them if anything gets bad. Just don't put your hand between fighting piggies - I know a few who have done so and their hands haven't looked too great for a while afterwards!
Also remove any hidies with one exit/entrance so that if Marmalade gets scared, she has an escape route if Pickle tries to block her in.

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble bonding them, I hope that I've helped you a little.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your help and advise, I'm pretty sure it's not going to work out between my pigs :0 It looks like i'm going to have to give marmalade back to the rescue since getting a companion for marmalade isn't an option as i don't have the space or parental permission")
I'm sure she will be re homed very quickly since she is a gorgeous and sweet pig. And btw, would you mind giving me your YouTube name so i can subscribe and at least know who you are?
 
SapphireDreams said:
Welcome to you and your piggies!
I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble grouping your sows, however the general consensus is that once blood has been drawn it is extremely difficult for a pairing to happen, and often that act of aggression means that they just will not work. You may have to face that Marmalade is not likely to be able to be introduced into your group, particularly if Pickle is continuing to be aggressive. Could you consider adopting another pig to live with Marmalade? Does your rescue offer sow dating? Marmalade can then pick her own companion to live with.
Perhaps you could try putting their cages side-by-side, so they can see, hear and smell each other but are not able to get to each other. It might help them get used to each other without the risk of violence.
Click to expand...

Also i was wandering, is your pig (Bernadette) From Wythall rescue center because if she is she is Marmalade's sister!
 
britboyjon said:
Thank you for your help and advise, I'm pretty sure it's not going to work out between my pigs :0 It looks like i'm going to have to give marmalade back to the rescue since getting a companion for marmalade isn't an option as i don't have the space or parental permission")
I'm sure she will be re homed very quickly since she is a gorgeous and sweet pig. And btw, would you mind giving me your YouTube name so i can subscribe and at least know who you are?
Click to expand...

I haven't actually got a youtube account - I just enjoy watching all the videos!
 
britboyjon said:
Also i was wandering, is your pig (Bernadette) From Wythall rescue center because if she is she is Marmalade's sister!
Click to expand...

She isn't, she is from Milhaven Guinea Pig Rescue in Keighley. So unless she's been on her travels I don't think they are!
 
Puzzlepigs said:
I haven't actually got a youtube account - I just enjoy watching all the videos!
Click to expand...

Oh, hehe :(|)! you should defiantly consider making one, even if you don't wan't to make videos, its a great way to find more piggie owners and interact with other enthusiasts.
 
Understandable, she's definitely unique and a very beautiful ladypig :) I don't know if she has any siblings though.
 
NEW PIG! advise?

Hello all :)

In case you don't know my situation, here it is;
I had 2 female sows (a year and a half old now) then i adopted another sow from a rescue (now 3 months old) however when i introduced them all together, one of my first pigs rejected Marmalade, the newest one. After a while my other older pig (Chutney) started to pick on Marmalade but not as severe as Pickle. I've now separated Marmalade since pickle drew a little blood when nipping Marmalade's ear.
Now my sister's friend has just lost one of her pigs so the other one needs a new home. Naturally i jumped at the chance of a new pig:<> but now i don't quite no what arrangement to set them up in. So i need every pig to have a companion...
Pickle (i think) will not happily live with Marmalade
Chutney (With some bonding) may be able to live with Marmalade
Marmalade needs somebody but is now quite afraid of Pickle
Maggie (my sister's friend's pig) needs at least one companion.

Is it possible that once Maggie is added to the herd Pickle may stop bullying Marmalade? Should i introduce them all together after a bath in a neutral territory or should i not bother introducing Marmalade and Pickle ever again?

As you can tell this is a very complicated situation so i would appreciate some expert advice.:)p if anybody has any experience like this please let me know!
 
If you have a cage big enough for 4 sows then I would put them all together on neutral ground with a pile of grass, hay or veggies & no hideys that have one entrance.
If Marmalade's ear was nipped then it's perfectly normal sow behaviour as is chasing, mounting, brrring & strutting. The time to separate is if the pig that is being chased etc can not exhibit normal behaviour ie. is not allowed to drink or eat or walk around without fear.

It seems Pickle is the head sow & she needs to ensure everyone knows this, hence her behaviour towards Marmalade.
If Pickle doesn't allow the other 2 sows to live with her & Chutney then I would leave her & Chutney as they are & bond Marmalade with Maggie.

Don't separate them too soon, the behaviour they exhibit is generally far worse than it looks eventhough you may hear loud squeaks from the pig that's being put in it's place. :)
 
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