To attempt a group bonding or not?

[Emx93]

I'm thinking of attempting to bond my two sow groups together following a bareavement. I always intended to have only one group of sows however a fall out, new companions etc turned into two groups. One of my original piggies sadly passed from a uri a couple of weeks ago, it is her who fell out with nugget (leader of the bottom trio) originally, she leaves behind a pair of rather shy and submissive almost 1yo sisters who are still looking a bit lost without their 'mummy pig' and don't seem to know who is in charge as of yet. They've said hi to the bottom trio during floor time (which happens next to nuggets groups cage) and nugget is forever trying to lick their faces, marshmallow also seems interested however mal is like who are they I'm the baby of the group the issue I have is we still have a uri circulating, while technically both groups were exposed (it seemed to get the older but none of them are actually old members of both groups) marshmallow is not quite recovered yet (but due to finish antibiotics Wednesday, but this is her 3rd extension of them) so I'm thinking I best not try anything just yet! Is there a timescale on this? it's no biggie if it doesn't work out we just keep the two groups as they are and I certainly wouldn't be taking on any more pigs id just to use one of the cages to store hay etc if it did work out.
I've never attempted a group bonding before, do I still neighbour for a couple of nights first before introducing on neutral territory? And would I do it when the antibiotics are finished or give the grieving pair a couple more weeks to work through their loss?
Thankyou and any advice appreciated

 

[Wiebke]

I'm thinking of attempting to bond my two sow groups together following a bareavement. I always intended to have only one group of sows however a fall out, new companions etc turned into two groups. One of my original piggies sadly passed from a uri a couple of weeks ago, it is her who fell out with nugget (leader of the bottom trio) originally, she leaves behind a pair of rather shy and submissive almost 1yo sisters who are still looking a bit lost without their 'mummy pig' and don't seem to know who is in charge as of yet. They've said hi to the bottom trio during floor time (which happens next to nuggets groups cage) and nugget is forever trying to lick their faces, marshmallow also seems interested however mal is like who are they I'm the baby of the group the issue I have is we still have a uri circulating, while technically both groups were exposed (it seemed to get the older but none of them are actually old members of both groups) marshmallow is not quite recovered yet (but due to finish antibiotics Wednesday, but this is her 3rd extension of them) so I'm thinking I best not try anything just yet! Is there a timescale on this? it's no biggie if it doesn't work out we just keep the two groups as they are and I certainly wouldn't be taking on any more pigs id just to use one of the cages to store hay etc if it did work out.
I've never attempted a group bonding before, do I still neighbour for a couple of nights first before introducing on neutral territory? And would I do it when the antibiotics are finished or give the grieving pair a couple more weeks to work through their loss?
Thankyou and any advice appreciated
View attachment 169823View attachment 169824

Hi!

Please give your piggies time next door to each other so they can grieve, get healthy and get to know each other for better acceptance chances. There is never a guarantee for a successful bonding because in the end it is always about the personalities involved and the dynamics that develop between them. Don't rush the run up stage.

Our comprehensive illustrated step-by-step bonding guide takes you step by step through all stages of the complex bonding process with key behaviours and dynamics you want to look out for. You will hopefully find it very helpful: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[Emx93]

Hi!

Please give your piggies time next door to each other so they can grieve, get healthy and get to know each other for better acceptance chances. There is never a guarantee for a successful bonding because in the end it is always about the personalities involved and the dynamics that develop between them. Don't rush the run up stage.

Our comprehensive illustrated step-by-step bonding guide takes you step by step through all stages of the complex bonding process with key behaviours and dynamics you want to look out for. You will hopefully find it very helpful: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Thankyou for the very helpful guide! I think I will wait until the antibiotics are finished and snuffles definitely gone then neighbour for a few days before attempting any introduction! If it doesn't look good as neighbours chances are I won't even try and will return the trio to their current cage! I can definitely see caramel doing the 'keeping her distance' thing! My main concern is not wanting to disrupt current bonds, each pig has a friend currently and that is the most important, extra friends may perk up flower and caramel but as you say there is no garuntee!

 

[Wiebke]

Thankyou for the very helpful guide! I think I will wait until the antibiotics are finished and snuffles definitely gone then neighbour for a few days before attempting any introduction! If it doesn't look good as neighbours chances are I won't even try and will return the trio to their current cage! I can definitely see caramel doing the 'keeping her distance' thing! My main concern is not wanting to disrupt current bonds, each pig has a friend currently and that is the most important, extra friends may perk up flower and caramel but as you say there is no garuntee!

All you can do is try and see how it goes. Piggies have very much got their own minds and personalities and you have deal with them as they are and not how you want things to turn out. The longer I know piggies, the more complex personalities they become; more like people in fur coats - stick them all in a Big Brother house and you get plenty of drama, too!

At least you can then take it from where you end up but they have had their chance to have their say, as it is the only way you can get their pigsonal opinions.

 

[Emx93]

All you can do is try and see how it goes. Piggies have very much got their own minds and personalities and you have deal with them as they are and not how you want things to turn out. The longer I know piggies, the more complex personalities they become; more like people in fur coats - stick them all in a Big Brother house and you get plenty of drama, too!

At least you can then take it from where you end up but they have had their chance to have their say, as it is the only way you can get their pigsonal opinions.

The big brother house comment made me chuckle fluffy was always full of drama when it came to bonding, she was pigsonally responsible for every failed rescue date and every bond I've had to do! I sure miss her! I have to say flower and caramel just had their first post bareavement seasons and wow that was dramatic! As you say what looks good on paper doesn't always work! And what looks terrible in the past has worked for us so we won't know unless we try! I think nugget would welcome them to her herd as she always has done previously but it is whether they want to be part of that group and whether marshmallow and mal will welcome them as easily they are a well bonded trio so may decide they don't want more friends I will let you all know how it goes if and when we try! First I'm just hoping the last of these snuffles go for poor marshmallow

 

[Emx93]

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, I hope the bonding works out well for all the girlies