What is the best colony size

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Multleypig

Hi all,

I am new to the forum but not to pigs. I have kept them since I was 8 years old so which is a long time since I am now 38! Anyway we now have 6 pigs, 1 is an unneutered male who doesn't get on with other pigs so he stays on his own. We have another lone male who is about to be neutered that we want to put with our two girls. We also have to males who are a happy bonded pair who can stay together as they are.

My question is how many more girls should we get to go into the colony of three. Is there an optimum size? Can more than one neutered male work in a colony or does there need to be a certain number before it would work?

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated. We are in Bury St Edmunds if any one has pigs for rehoming.

Anna
 
Hi Anna,

Welcome to the forum. One neutered male per group of sows is the general rule. If you think of it as a pack of lions, one male to the group of females.

As for the amount of numbers how big is the space where you want them to live? It is 4x2 for 2 pigs then add a foot for each pig 5x2 for 3, 6x2 for 4 etc.

One thing to bear in mind though is that just because females are easier to bond doesn't mean it will work. I had 7 girls in one group and 2 of my newer ones became stressed and withdrawn, and got mites because of bullying, they are now happy on their own. My original 4 are back together and seems much happier as my other new girl passed away over Christmas.

So it may not always work with sows so just be aware if it doesn't then have you the space to seperate?

Good luck with it (any piccies)

Louise (and 14 pigs, 2 bunnies ;-))
x
 
Totally agree with Louise, i had a neutered male with one female & another with 2 females. Run time i'd put them all together & the feistier boy would not only chatter at the other boy but chase & nip the other girls.
My run was approx 14ft x 11ft so space wasn't an issue. :)
 
I've had one male and five females together, if the personalities are right you can put lots of females in. Bear in mind that any infectious illnesses could affect the whole group.
 
Hi there and welcome to the forum,

I've got a big group of pigs in the shed, one neutered boar with 10 girls (he's a very lucky pig!) and that works well but you do have to be very vigilant that no-one is getting picked on or missing out on food.

I think one boar to 5 or 6 sows is nice, if you've got the space.

I'm near Harleston - about half an hour from Bury - and I rescue and rehome pigs, so if you would like any more then come and see me! I've got lots here at the moment....

Sophie
x
 
Welcome to the forum Anna.

I love the combination of neutered male and plenty of ladies, and have always had this scenario. Presently I have two groups like this. One group is three girls in with one boy, and they are the most contented group I have known.

While the neutered male and lots of girls situation sounds great and does usually work well, it is the reality of lots of women that is the tricky part. Personalities of pigs are bound to clash at some point, and in my experience it is almost always between the women. I have just had to split my newly united group of four (one neutered male, three females) up due to the utter nastiness of one of the new girls (Meghan) towards the other girls! Some ladies, it would seem, do not wish to share their man. :)
I have done difficult pairings a few times; this one was very peaceful, but the more Meghan settled in, the more her personality came out and she showed herself as a very dominant - and pretty selfish! - lady. On the other hand, the younger new girl, Willa, fits into the group beautifully.

As long as everyone in the group is happy, you can go with as many girls as you have the time, momey and space for!
 
Years ago I had 12 girls together, all happy, til they caught some bug and I lost three in a short space of time, no symptoms at all..:( Now though I have a gang of 3 girls, a 4 and a 7, all matched for temprement, I think you can have a large group together as long as they have space and are happy:)
 
I keep all my girls (9 at the mo) in with Merlin a neutered boar
he has had up to 13 ladies! i did try putting in another neutered boar when their was 15 But the other boar went a bit loopy and attacked everything so i'd lave that up to you! LOL
But i find my shy sows cope better in the big group and i can heartly aprove sophiews guineas lovely set up! and i'm part of the same rescue network x
 
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