[Gpdd] MISC: I Need Introduction Advice!

[Penny Charlesworth]

Pat,

I am so pleased that you have finally found a little friend for Olivia. You 
have had to wait so long. Yesterday I went to my local animal shelter where 
a group of 24 young sows had been brought in by the RSPCA the day before and 
there were also other sows waiting for adoption. There are to be new 
additions to the Piggyfriends herd very soon but more of that in a later 
post.

She is such a pretty piggy and her colouring reminds me somewhat of my late 
Mayflower.

When I have a new sow arrive here, if I do not know her background ( e.g. 
she has been left on the doorstep or someone has called me saying "Can you 
take my pig" ), she will be quarantined for around 3 weeks. If she has come 
from my Rodentologist or another rescue, this will have happened already and 
she will have been health checked so can she can go straight into one of my 
sow pens.

Introductions between boars usually takes more time and care but when I add 
a sow to a group it is usually a case of what I call a "Hello, let's eat" 
introduction. The dynamic of the group may change but a boss pig will always 
be a boss pig and the rest are normally quite happy to be one of the herd. 
Sometimes I think that a large group do not even notice when their number 
increases by one or two more. They are in large pens with plenty of room and 
hidey boxes for each pig.

A new piggy arriving here will, unless this has been done by my 
Rodentologist, who ensures that any piggy she rehomes is in as near perfect 
condition as she can make him/her, have a thorough shampoo and I treat all 
piggies over 3 months with a dose of Ivermectin and Panacur to ensure that 
no nasties are waiting to be passed on.

How long has your new piggy been at your local shelter? Has she been checked 
for mites or any other skin condition which may affect how quickly she can 
be intergrated into your group.She may already have been vet checked as is 
done at Raystede, which is the name of my local one. She may have been there 
long enough for the staff to be able to tell you that she is in good health.

As long as she is OK healthwise, I would put her in a cage next to Olivia so 
that they can get to know each other for a few days before introducing them 
in a neutral spot.

I have never needed to resort to bathing sows together as I might do with 
new boars.

It is a shame that Doris and Audrey do not get on with Olivia as it would be 
so nice to have one big group. Groups are fascinating to watch as they go 
about their little lives. There is always something going on.

Having successfully integrated Olivia and your new little girl, it might be 
possible, in time, to make up a foursome but I would concentrate on Olivia 
and her new companion first and see where it goes from there. Floor time may 
change considerably with a new member.

I have often added pairs and trios of new sows to an existing three or four 
with the minumum of fuss on their part, often none at all apart from 
greeting the newcomers and sharing a pile of grass with their new friends.

I do hope that all goes well. Keep us posted!

Penny and the Piggyfriends.