Old with young?

**Morningstar** · #1 03-08-08, 12:21 pm

Hello everybody. I was wondering if I should put my 1 1/2 year old male Buddy in with my 7-8 year old male Snuffles. A few months ago they lived together for a couple of weeks in a 2x3 with a 1x2 second level. I separated them when Snuffles wouldn't let Buddy come down from the upper deck. I have since built a 2x4 cage with a 1x2 level. What I was wondering, was if I should try putting them together again. I do not want to stress out Snuffles too much seeing as he he is so elderly. Do you guys think it would be better for Snuffles to be neighbours with Buddy and not have to endure the stressful introduction? Or do you think an 8 or so year old pig should be fine with the extra stress and that the outcome of the introduction could be great? Thanks everybody!

**pigsmakemesmile** · #2 03-08-08, 02:12 pm

Give it a try, reintroduce them on neutral territory and see how it goes. It would be nice to see them together given that they are social beings. Why not go the extra step and increase length on the cage even more as it sounds like they need more space to get along?? The other issue is how is the health of the older pig??? if there is an issue the younger pig might be sensing it thus giving your older pig a harder time...just something I wanted to mention. I unfortunately had to permanently separate my oldest pig (4 yrs old) from the others..he was picking on my first boy Ben. I separated their large house by a divider and put the brother in with him so he dtill had a companion. I hated to do it but it wasn't fair to the other's that he would bully them. there's been more harmony now since they've been separated.

**Morningstar** · #3 03-08-08, 02:27 pm

I'll try reintroducing them. I've had them together recently in neutral territory, and the were great! They curled up in a piggy pile and had a nap. Then when I put them in the new 2x4, Snuffy was chasing him back up to the top whenever he tried to come down. I'd love if I could expand the 2x4 but unfortunately it's filling all possible space for cages. Thanks so much for the reply!

**Fanch** · #4 03-08-08, 03:39 pm

When you put them back in the cage, is it all neutral territory as well? I introduced my 5 year old boar to a 1 year old just a few months ago, and they didn't get along very well at the beginning, I made sure that the cage was VERY well washed and different then how I had had it previously.

How long do you leave them together? (talking about your 2nd post) Sometimes they just need time to gfigure it all out. I couldn't sleep the first night my 2 boys were together there was so much racket.

Since the 2nd level seems to be a bit of a problem, maybe try not having it?

**Sammy and Peanut** · #5 03-08-08, 03:49 pm

It really depends on the personalities of the two the you are putting together. I used to have Peanut and Sammy together and Sammy was 8 months while Peanut was onlt 3 months. But soon after that Sammy died. I guess you should try it and see what happens.

**Sammy and Peanut** · #6 03-08-08, 03:49 pm

Sorry. Double post.

**Pumpkin_RIP** · #7 03-08-08, 04:15 pm

I would try a thorough(sp?) cleaning of the cage before putting them back together after the re-meet. I would also try taking down the loft since it seems to be causing a problem. Maybe after a month or so if they are getting along, you can put it back up again and see what happens.

**Morningstar** · #8 03-08-08, 06:39 pm

Thank you everybody. So you all think my 8-year-old will be able to handle the introduction?

**Fanch** · #9 03-08-08, 06:46 pm

It depends on his physical condition. My Pumpkin is showing his age and I was worried about him as whenever I touched him after the introduction, he would get upset. This was because of all the mounting. It was only for a day or 2, then he was better.

Is Snuffles is good condition? If he is, then I see no problem with the age. But if hes not very active, sits around alot, and is a bit sensitive like my boy, then I would be a little worried, but would still try it out.

**Morningstar** · #10 03-08-08, 07:30 pm

Snuff is happy and healthy. Again, thank you everybody so much for the responses.

**Morningstar** · #11 03-08-08, 09:05 pm

I'm wondering if removing the second level is a good idea. I thought having a place for Buddy to go when Snuffles is chasing him around would be a good thing.

**Fanch** · #12 03-08-08, 10:05 pm

Removing the 2nd level is what I would do personally. Its a great idea, but seems to be causing alot of problems, especially since you say they get along good when you introduced them.

I wish you the best of luck. Hope to see some picture of them happy together soon!

**Morningstar** · #13 03-09-08, 09:00 am

Thank you everybody for the help

I'll take out the second level and put them together.

Thank you pigsmakemesmile for this useful post, says:
Morningstar (03-08-08)

Thank you Fanch for this useful post, says:
Morningstar (03-08-08)

Thank you Sammy and Peanut for this useful post, says:
Morningstar (03-08-08)

Thank you Pumpkin_RIP for this useful post, says:
Morningstar (03-08-08)

Thank you Fanch for this useful post, says:
Morningstar (03-09-08)

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