The Wheaky Beans herd

Truffolo said:
I wonder if being neutered makes a difference to their place in the hierarchy. It might be making it less easy to predict where Espresso first in. She was spayed to save her life and she is in every sense a lovely piggy. Perhaps she would get on better with a young female piggy?
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That's something Wiebke might know.
 
Remember that you aren’t only finding a friend for Espresso but also a friend for you too! If it is going to make you anxious/stressed leaving them alone together then there is no shame/judgement taking Aperol back to the rescue and trying with a different piggy - your feelings matter too here! If you don’t feel comfortable you don’t feel comfortable, and I am sure Aperol will find the right family to be with 🫶
 
If they really hold a grudge, it will show quickly.

But a lot of bondings aren't for the faint-hearted. There's a fine line between a bonding going wrong and the normal upsets during establishing the hierarchy.
Sometimes it can make things more difficult if piggies are separated during a squabble. But yes, bondings can go downhill quickly.
 
Good luck for the next try.
But give them a little space. Piggies are extremely perceptive to emotions and if you hoover above them like a hawk they will get a bad feeling form the start.

Except for creating the right surroundings, we can't do much to make a bonding go well. But we can create too nervous or anxious energy that can make a bonding more difficult than it could be.
If your mindset at the beginning of the new bonding is that it's going to go terribly wrong, it probably will.
Piggies can hurt each other during a fight but their fur protects them pretty good in minor fights.
 
Good luck I hope round two is for good 🤞🏻

Can you keep them in the bonding pen all day and overnight? I’ve always kept them longer in the bonding pen just to make absolutely sure.
 
The bonding attempt #2 has commenced!

I kept them in the bonding pen for 24 hrs last time, might even leave them in there for a couple of days this time (if they last that long!).

Also going to use all new boxes as hidies so their scent isn’t marked on anything whatsoever when I do put them back in their main cage.
 

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thewheakybeans said:
The bonding attempt #2 has commenced!

I kept them in the bonding pen for 24 hrs last time, might even leave them in there for a couple of days this time (if they last that long!).

Also going to use all new boxes as hidies so their scent isn’t marked on anything whatsoever when I do put them back in their main cage.
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Good luck Espresso and Aperol! :luv:
 
thewheakybeans said:
This is my plan B I think if today doesn’t work out as I’ve fallen in love with my gorgeous ginger boy and they get plenty of interaction through the divider.
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Good idea.

My boys actually seem happy that way. Stripe was a very insecure leader. Chez tried a hostile takeover when Stripe got sick and my vet recommended separation.

There are benefits to having them separate. You never need to worry about their bond, you don't have to handle the dominant first, etc.

I like it.
 
Mrs Tiggy Winkle said:
That's something Wiebke might know.
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thewheakybeans said:
Thanks everyone, it’s nice having moral support during this difficult piggy phase!
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Sorry, I have taken time off the forum this weekend but I hope that all goes well.

Dynamics are always difficult to predict. Sometimes, sows growing in confidence can take over the leadership after neutering when the big testosterone production gradually (not instantly) dies down.
 
It’s been a thankfully drama-free 24 hr reunion so far here at Wheaky Beans HQ. Espresso is clearly the dominant one and Aperol has been going along with it for now…
Espresso has dropped 40g in the last few days but I reckon it’s the constant running around, asserting herself. She’s had an Emeraid top-up from the nugget trough which she happily lapped up! They’re both taking a power nap in the box together 🥰
Meanwhile pig mum had several rounds of piggy laundry to get through after all these cage changes!
 
I know what you mean with the extra laundry from cage changes - just about caught up myself! I was wondering how you were getting on last night and glad everything is going well so far 🥰
 
Aperol has now started to chase Espresso across the cage and have a stand off with her. She’s quite clingy and likes to be close to him so not sure if he’s wanting his own space or he’s just getting more confident in his cage to try for dominance now. She doesn’t try and defend herself/put him in line so he sees a weakness and launches at her. Both of them chattering and squaring off…
 
thewheakybeans said:
Aperol has now started to chase Espresso across the cage and have a stand off with her. She’s quite clingy and likes to be close to him so not sure if he’s wanting his own space or he’s just getting more confident in his cage to try for dominance now. She doesn’t try and defend herself/put him in line so he sees a weakness and launches at her. Both of them chattering and squaring off…
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After about 20 minutes of this, they then took a nap right next to each other in their box. I have no idea whether to leave them together tonight! Their whole dynamic is so complicated and changeable.
 

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Bonding is very stressful for us and can seem quite distressing
When Jemimah and Priscilla were bonding we had chattering, nipping, fur pulling, chasing and face offs until after about 2 weeks they decided they were best friends.

Unless there is full on fighting and risk of serious injury you may just have to hold your nerve and let them work it out.

I recommend coffee and chocolate to help with the stress of bonding
 
Merab said:
Bonding is very stressful for us and can seem quite distressing
When Jemimah and Priscilla were bonding we had chattering, nipping, fur pulling, chasing and face offs until after about 2 weeks they decided they were best friends.

Unless there is full on fighting and risk of serious injury you may just have to hold your nerve and let them work it out.

I recommend coffee and chocolate to help with the stress of bonding
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If this goes on for a fortnight or more, I’ll need all of the above and plenty of wine! Thanks though, it puts things into perspective. It’s hard to know if what they’re doing is the normal bonding process or not but what you listed sounds similar to how they are :)
 
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