should i separate the cage and see if they attack?

[Zao77]

well i finally finished construction of a large enough cage to house two pigs. with the coroplast and all. Right now my older boar (my guess is like a year old, although he could be older or younger) named Amish (appropriately since he "shuns" you) is livin in his usual house in the cage. However i want to get him another male cagemate since, 1) the cage is big enough 2) he is probably lonely. When i get the new pig home, should I separate the two w/ some grids right down the center, or see if they just squabble and take each other's heads off? some books say they will fight, others dont. the younger boar would probably be around a pound or less. Amish is 2.5 pounds.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

I would introduce them face to face on a nuetral teriitory (like your bathroom floor). If they fight, just let them do it unless there is bloodshed. Once they have calmed down, put them in the cage together and watch for a few hours.

 

[pennick]

When you get the new pig home you should quarantine him first before you introduce them.

 

[DaCourt]

Where in So Cal are you? There are so many pigs in shelters right now. You can also look on www.cavyhaven.org. Not all of the pigs are pictured.

 

[TheAlmightyMiko]

You also need to make sure that once you have introduced the pigs on neutral territory that you clean the cage out top to bottom to remove all scents. Otherwise, your first pig will be extremely territorial and may try to "dominate" the new pig despite the fact that introductions went well on neutral ground. You need to make sure that the cage seems like a new place for BOTH pigs, not just your new one!

Also, make sure to abide by the quarantine period and find a good shelter to adopt the pig from! Good luck!

 

[DocDolittle]

Often times when you partition a cage each pig will get possessive of it's own side and will cause more fighting. Do not do it unless there is serious bloodshed. Have you read cavyspirit's social life page? If not, I suggest you do, it has wonderful information on it: https://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm#Introductions