Introductions FINALLY getting a new piggy! Questions as well!

[Beatrix187]

Hi everyone,

It took awhile, but I'm super excited because tomorrow I am picking up Domino's new friend! He is a cute little 8 week old piggy I have some questions regarding quarantine, introductions etc.

1. We asked the rescue about how healthy the pig is and if we have to quarantine, they said he was very healthy and there shouldn't be a need too, so do you think it's necessary to quarantine still? Should we let the new piggy settle in first? The rescue even said we could bring Domino over and do intro's there, but since they're 4 hours away, we thought it would be too much stress on Domino.

2. If introductions DO go well and we can house them both together in Domino's cage, would I have to do any special cleaning to it? Like wipe down everything with vinegar, wash everything thoroughly etc? (I know you should be doing those things, but I mean like walls, grids, etc)

3. When we bring the new pig home we won't be doing introductions right away, so could I keep them both in the same room (my bedroom) for now? They wouldn't be right next to each other, at least 6 feet apart.

4. You are supposed to introduce them at a place where they've never been before, but I have literally taken Domino into every room in my house some time or another xD Should I just choose a place where he doesn't go too often? Maybe do couch introductions? (He's been on the couches before but not the downstairs one as often)

5. Lastly, I know a 2x5 is recommended for boars, but right now we have a 2x4. I hope sometime soon we can expand it but do you think for now it would be okay for them?

 

[PiggyGrandma15]

I'm no expert by far, but. From reading about on here here would be the thoughts I have:

1- I've heard mixed thoughts on skipping quarantine from a rescue. If it is a reputable one and you feel you can trust that you new piggy will be healthy, then well, you gotta do what you gotta do. But I totally wouldn't depend on my take here.

2- from what I've read a FULL on scrubbed clean with vinegar solution is recommended for post introduction cages. Grids, bowls, water bottles, coro, fleece (or whatever bedding you use) ... everything.

3- IF you are deciding to skip quarantine I don't see why not. As long as each pig has adequate space. If you plan to quarantine I'd say not as some illnesses are airborne.

4- from what I understood it was more neutral territory. A space where scents from one pig or the other aren't present. I hear you mention couch intros. I'm not sure how that would work. From my understanding they need more space to be able to work out the pecking order and / or retreat if need be. Plus it is better to keep yourself out of the intros unless a biting ball of fighting fur occurs (or bloodshed) as far as I understand. That would be hard on a couch intro. You'd have to be there as part of ensuring noone walked / fell off the edge. Intros aren't a 10 min thing.

5- a 2x4 may be just fine for your 2 piggers. It may not. Technically 2x4 is enough space for 2 pigs, just that more space is recommended for boars. Know that you may have additional squabbles in the smaller space and be prepared for that possibility. They may be fine for a bit until your new baby hits puberty.

Hope that helps. Congrats!

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[Beatrix187]

Thanks for the advice @PiggyGrandma15 , your information is very helpful to me! We actually just got the new piggy and he looks so lively and healthy that I'm pretty sure we won't do quarantine, maybe wait 1-2 days or something. But we might I don't know yet. For now they're in separate rooms with me washing hands in between handling each of them.

 

[PiggyGrandma15]

Thanks for the advice @PiggyGrandma15 , your information is very helpful to me! We actually just got the new piggy and he looks so lively and healthy that I'm pretty sure we won't do quarantine, maybe wait 1-2 days or something. But we might I don't know yet. For now they're in separate rooms with me washing hands in between handling each of them.

Keep in mind that GP are prey animals. They hide sickness VERY well. Their survival depends on it.

I'm glad he seems lively and healthy though. Congrats again, and good luck.

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[onefutui2e]

I tried my two boars in a 2x4 and they couldn't stop fighting so YMMV. But I had two very dominant ones that wouldn't back down.

Give it a shot, but try to have a spare cage in case you need to separate them. Mine are currently living in their own Midwest cages as neighbors and I plan to expand their 2x4 with another 2x4 once I move into my new house.

 

[ryliem]

I read somewhere that you should keep them in the same room so they can hear each other but not see each other, but you might want to do a bit more research on that