Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on Oct 26, 2005 8:54:19 GMT
I have news for you all. Its exciting news but its also tinged with sadness. As you may have read we lost our beloved Prince piggy at the weekend, who had been successfully paired with our delightful Spam.
Being such a social pig I felt Spam would be likely to accept another adult boar, but the very thought of it really hurt, as if some other pig could take 'Prince's place' in his affections. Well Saturday night after Prince was gone he was looking a little fed up. And I just thought I should put that aside and think about what is best for Spam... and likely what Prince would want.
And there was Bubba, living next door. a lovely friendly pig who I've wanted to pair up since his arrival but was reluctant to try him with Hugo or Rainbow given their track records. I did try him with Hugo at one point but he was chasing him around and pushing him away from food etc so I decided it wasn't fair on Bubba.
Anyway, I decided to give Hugo and Bubba a cuddle together, the first step towards introducing them in this case since they would be already familiar with each others smell living side by side.
Adam caught the moment on Camera as I did want to share it with you all but didn't want to jinx anything. As you can see it went very well... but of course usually this stage does even if the two won't get on.
Next they had a few hours of floor time... Here are their first steps!
With the usual bum sniffs
And marking with scent
I think Bubba has emerged as boss, as expeted if you know Spam. The pair even had a little nap together under the clothes horse where they like to sit because its dark.
They were then put in a fully clean temporary cage... with was placed in our bedroom at night and in the living room in the day. Its half-term so I've been able to keep a close eye on the boys who have lived together for 3 nights now. I wouldn;t get the same opportuninty for 8 weeks or so... so I had to try now.
Its gone so well, and I realise its not the same as Prince and Spam but a whole different dynamic. Prince and Spam were opposites and thats how it worked so well, Bubba and Spam are strikingly similar in tempriment... yet it still seems to work. Its been good for us all. So fingers crossed it continues! I think we have the makings of firm friends there.
They get on very well and sleep at the same end of the cage curled up together, just as Prince and Spam did when Prince was ill. I was worried for a moment last night with a threat coming from Bubba. When I looked it was Spam trying to get through the chube Bubba was sleeping in... despite having one of his own. So Bubba was right to tell Spam off. Will keep you all updated... but this has brought a little bit of happiness back that was so much needed.
Being such a social pig I felt Spam would be likely to accept another adult boar, but the very thought of it really hurt, as if some other pig could take 'Prince's place' in his affections. Well Saturday night after Prince was gone he was looking a little fed up. And I just thought I should put that aside and think about what is best for Spam... and likely what Prince would want.
And there was Bubba, living next door. a lovely friendly pig who I've wanted to pair up since his arrival but was reluctant to try him with Hugo or Rainbow given their track records. I did try him with Hugo at one point but he was chasing him around and pushing him away from food etc so I decided it wasn't fair on Bubba.
Anyway, I decided to give Hugo and Bubba a cuddle together, the first step towards introducing them in this case since they would be already familiar with each others smell living side by side.
Adam caught the moment on Camera as I did want to share it with you all but didn't want to jinx anything. As you can see it went very well... but of course usually this stage does even if the two won't get on.
Next they had a few hours of floor time... Here are their first steps!
With the usual bum sniffs
And marking with scent
I think Bubba has emerged as boss, as expeted if you know Spam. The pair even had a little nap together under the clothes horse where they like to sit because its dark.
They were then put in a fully clean temporary cage... with was placed in our bedroom at night and in the living room in the day. Its half-term so I've been able to keep a close eye on the boys who have lived together for 3 nights now. I wouldn;t get the same opportuninty for 8 weeks or so... so I had to try now.
Its gone so well, and I realise its not the same as Prince and Spam but a whole different dynamic. Prince and Spam were opposites and thats how it worked so well, Bubba and Spam are strikingly similar in tempriment... yet it still seems to work. Its been good for us all. So fingers crossed it continues! I think we have the makings of firm friends there.
They get on very well and sleep at the same end of the cage curled up together, just as Prince and Spam did when Prince was ill. I was worried for a moment last night with a threat coming from Bubba. When I looked it was Spam trying to get through the chube Bubba was sleeping in... despite having one of his own. So Bubba was right to tell Spam off. Will keep you all updated... but this has brought a little bit of happiness back that was so much needed.
