Introductions Introductions coming soon! Help!

[elmoabt]

Hi there. So I have read a lot on here about doing introductions, but I am going to introduce my boys this Sunday and I am looking for any last minute advice or tips! Peanut is about 7/8 months old and pretty big. Sammie is about 13 weeks old and so small. I am hoping all will go well!!

A few questions are:
What do they need for introductions? Water, pellets, hay, AND veggies?

How long should I have them in that neutral area before I can tell if they are okay and ready to go into their cage? How many hours?

Everything is okay unless there's blood drawn right? Let them chase each other around?

If it doesn't go well this time, can you try it again? Or are they never going to like each other?

I should be watching them pretty much the whole time right?

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[Princess_Piggie]

In terms of food, just put lots of different piles of veggies spread around, and two water bottles (if you only put one, they might fight).

Usually a few hours is what it takes, but be prepared for longer. However, if it gets to a point after about two hours where all seems calm, you could put them in the cage then.

Mounting, chasing, rumblestrutting (going 'drrrr' and shaking their butts slowly), nipping and nosing off are all normal. So long as there's no blood, and they don't latch on to each other to have a full on fight, leave them to it. Make sure there are no hideys in there either, just veg and the bottles of water.

If it doesn't go well, you can separate them, then give them a buddy bath in about a week before giving them neutral floor time.

I'd definitely keep my eyes on them as much as possible for at least the first hour

 

[Starthecavy123]

1. When introducing them put a big pile of veggies out for them. This will distract them and help with the bonding process.

2. Some introductions can take hours. When they stop rumble strutting, nose raising and chasing or whatever then try placing them in a cage. Remember to wash out everything in the cage, fleece, food bowls, water bottles, hideys everything. Make sure there is no piggy smell in the cage. Also rearranging the cage so it looks like a whole other cage. I would say give them at least 1 hour if not more. Bathing them together also helps. They will likely bond without knowing they did.

3.yes if you see any blood seperate immediately. But don't use your bare hands so keep some towels near.

4. No you can try again but if they keep fighting no matter what you do they probably won't get along.

5. Yes something could happen in a blink of an eye. You don't want any accidents.

Hope that helps.