Introduction Day - We're all Nervous
I would definitely do that further down my list of options. I'm planning to introduce them again in a couple of days. They do seem to be missing each other this evening, so I hope that time apart but in close proximity will be good for them again.
It's very quiet in the cages at the moment.
I do also want to leave the buddy bath option for a while too.
Reintroduction might never work regardless. I'll have my partner film the entire retry so I have my hands free.
Exhausted mum!
It's very quiet in the cages at the moment.
I do also want to leave the buddy bath option for a while too.
Reintroduction might never work regardless. I'll have my partner film the entire retry so I have my hands free.
Exhausted mum!
I have two girls, Annie and Olive. I was hoping they would become roommates. I made a 3x4 cage and divided it in the middle (essential 2 3x2 cages put together). Annie was on one side, Olive on the other. I gave them a week to see and smell each other.
When I tried introductions after a week, it went very badly and I had to stop and put them back into their divided cage again.
I'm not giving up, however. Nor should you. I know the "rules" for introducing here, and totally respect them, but my experiences have led me to sometimes think outside the box.
I'm hoping with more time I can try introductions again - perhaps in a week. If that still doesn't work, we'll try it again a week later.
Right now, the way the cage is set up, they really could stay this way permanently if they had to, so there's no pressure.
I'd wait a few days, then maybe try again. In the meantime, you may want them to be separated by a grid so they can still see and smell each other. And definitely do away with the second story for now.
When I tried introductions after a week, it went very badly and I had to stop and put them back into their divided cage again.
I'm not giving up, however. Nor should you. I know the "rules" for introducing here, and totally respect them, but my experiences have led me to sometimes think outside the box.
I'm hoping with more time I can try introductions again - perhaps in a week. If that still doesn't work, we'll try it again a week later.
Right now, the way the cage is set up, they really could stay this way permanently if they had to, so there's no pressure.
I'd wait a few days, then maybe try again. In the meantime, you may want them to be separated by a grid so they can still see and smell each other. And definitely do away with the second story for now.
I admire your determination! If I recall correctly Annie was in with your lethal pigs? I thought that was going okay!
The fact that my boys spent 24hours together happily gives me hope. I'll put them side by side today and see how they respond to closeness. I mean, Harvey truly isn't himself right now, I think they can work.
It may have been a mum error that tipped tension over the edge. They were fine with towel tents, the second I put in actual tunnels t
hey just got more and more 'upset'
Taking away the ramps and using towel tents might keep the peace. I was thinking of doing an introduction tomorrow. Is that too soon?
The fact that my boys spent 24hours together happily gives me hope. I'll put them side by side today and see how they respond to closeness. I mean, Harvey truly isn't himself right now, I think they can work.
It may have been a mum error that tipped tension over the edge. They were fine with towel tents, the second I put in actual tunnels t
hey just got more and more 'upset'
Taking away the ramps and using towel tents might keep the peace. I was thinking of doing an introduction tomorrow. Is that too soon?
Poor Annie was in with two lethals and Elaine. In a months time the two lethals and Elaine all died, so Annie went from having 3 cagemates to being alone.
One of the things I've done is to keep the divider attached, but moveable. So I would give them (I actually forget which grouping of piggies I did this with!) longer and longer times together when I could supervise. At night, and when I was at work, I'd keep the divider up. I know it's not the standard for introductions, but in this situation it worked. Eventually, after several days, they didn't need the divider any longer.
Meal times are the hardest, so maybe keep them divided especially then.
Have you tried a buddy bath yet?
One of the things I've done is to keep the divider attached, but moveable. So I would give them (I actually forget which grouping of piggies I did this with!) longer and longer times together when I could supervise. At night, and when I was at work, I'd keep the divider up. I know it's not the standard for introductions, but in this situation it worked. Eventually, after several days, they didn't need the divider any longer.
Meal times are the hardest, so maybe keep them divided especially then.
Have you tried a buddy bath yet?
My boys ate breakfast together the next morning fine, I set their bowls in opposite ends of the cage and watched, no incidents whatsoever. I think tge ramps and adding in tunnels set them off.
I'll keep them divided until the weekend. I really want a full day to reintroduce. I'm so sorry about Annie btw, losing 3 pigs must have been hard on you all!
A buddy bath is on my list! But it's further down, I want to try tour idea first :-)
I'll keep them divided until the weekend. I really want a full day to reintroduce. I'm so sorry about Annie btw, losing 3 pigs must have been hard on you all!
A buddy bath is on my list! But it's further down, I want to try tour idea first :-)
My boys were like that for a month before settling down. They never injured each other and both were eating so I let them be. I think it might have been harder on me then it was on them. It's been 5 months now and while they are not friends they do live fairly peacefully together. I don't get to see cute piggy cuddles or anything but that's ok. Once a month they go through it for a day or two so I put a stuffed duck in to cut down on the drama. It has helped a lot, my bog guy Popper will mount the duck after a small amount of chasing Moe. Good luck, I hope it works out. Your boys are both so adorable!
My four boys are all like that as well. They're fine about 80% of the time. then there are the days when one of them decides he wants to be the king of all he surveys and there's chasing and mounting. Boys will be boys.
I do also notice that when there's a storm brewing, they get much worse - I do think the weather affects their little boy hormones!
I do also notice that when there's a storm brewing, they get much worse - I do think the weather affects their little boy hormones!
I know, I know, it's not the best way to go. I'm not even trying to suggest it is. Seriously. I just know that sometimes it seems to work
The weather did just turn from sunny to god awful here, I'll admit.
Well, I've had them in a divided cage all day and it's annoying if I'm honest.
Harvey has done nothing but chew on the bars to get to Charlie and I'm concerned about his teeth. Like he's very violently yanking at them. He wants to mount Charlie so badly lol.
They are both rumblestrutting back and forth against the barrier. No jumping at it, no real aggression, a little bit of chattering.
My cold turkey intro seemed to work, it turned ugly after a day. I'll give this a go until Saturday. Hopefully they'll get more familiar and calm with each other being side by side. Then I'm going to reintroduce from scratch on Saturday. Can I use the same place I did before?
I'm glad you're encouraging to keep at this Jacqueline, they seem to really love each other when they get along, if I can get them through the initial meeting and settling roles phase I'm convinced they'll be great buds.
I think Charlie being around adolescence and Harvey not too long out of it might be a part of the issue. So time will tell...
I will continue to try and try.
Well, I've had them in a divided cage all day and it's annoying if I'm honest.
Harvey has done nothing but chew on the bars to get to Charlie and I'm concerned about his teeth. Like he's very violently yanking at them. He wants to mount Charlie so badly lol.
They are both rumblestrutting back and forth against the barrier. No jumping at it, no real aggression, a little bit of chattering.
My cold turkey intro seemed to work, it turned ugly after a day. I'll give this a go until Saturday. Hopefully they'll get more familiar and calm with each other being side by side. Then I'm going to reintroduce from scratch on Saturday. Can I use the same place I did before?
I'm glad you're encouraging to keep at this Jacqueline, they seem to really love each other when they get along, if I can get them through the initial meeting and settling roles phase I'm convinced they'll be great buds.
I think Charlie being around adolescence and Harvey not too long out of it might be a part of the issue. So time will tell...
I will continue to try and try.
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