The Multiple Pig Family Issues & Answers
I find pigs so fascinating to study. My observation of
pigs, both commercial and potbelly, scans a period of 25 years. I now have 23
permanent potbellied pig residents at my 200 acre farm in mid-Missouri. Most of
these are non-breeding animals — just pals from the past. I still have my
first breeding pair, Yoda and Jitterbug, who were born in 1989. I would like to
offer you my impressions, gleaned from the extensive time I’ve shared my life
with pigs, on the subject of the multiple pig family.
Pigs are herd animals so for that very reason alone one
can extrapolate that pigs living together is the most natural and thus, the most
satisfying situation. My pigs live in several "herd" settings, from
pairs to groups up to eight in number. I often house a barrow or spayed female
with a boar. This allows the boar companionship without the possibility of
breeding his house mate. My pens are various in size and configuration ranging
from 32 feet by 20 feet for the smallest pen with 32 feet by 40 feet being the
norm. My favorite pig area is a picturesque wooded site that is triangular in
shape with lots of shade trees and plenty of roaming room for my largest group
of eight who are breeding females along with different aged altered animals. In
all these groups, there is a definite pecking order.
With the exception of my boars, pigs are afforded
ranging time on the property at large (out of their respective pens) when the
weather permits. While each group of pigs lives harmoniously, when mixed for
their "yard time" experience, some altercations may occur. But since
the space is so vast, the dispute usually breaks up pretty quickly with a
minimum of damage. This time together in the yard is instrumental in allowing
the pigs to have exposure to other pig residents. This provides for
socialization experience.
I have covered this extensively in my book
in the chapter Creating
Compatible Companions. It discusses in some detail the proper way to introduce two animals who you want to
cohabitate. This yard time is less intense with the outcome simply social and
not for a permanent living situation. Just the casual passing in the common yard
and sharing of common space is valuable experience.
I spend time with all my pig on an individual basis be
they yard or house pigs. I see each yard pig twice a day at feeding time. These
pigs know their names because I talk to them constantly. Each one receives a
special rub and quality time even if only for a short time. Of course, the house
pigs get a little more attention by virtue of their location. It has not been my
experience that my pigs are so bonded to each other in their respective herds
that they do not value or ignore me as their pigstress. I find them to be
well-adjusted with their herd, yet they seek me out for that quality time that
we share. I’m certain that my pigs cherish our special time together.
All my experience comes to you as a breeder who has
many pigs to manage. While they are all treated well, house pets they all are
not. However, all my pigs, with the exception of the boars, have spent their
early post-weaning weeks in the house. I venture to say that any of these past
house pigs would gladly return to a pet house pig role with little adjustment.
In order to have a non-biased discussion regarding the
idea of having more than one pig as a family pet, I turn to my clients and
friends who have done just that. Here are some of their thoughts on the subject.
I have five potbellied pigs that I adopted
at different
times...
They are in and out of the house, like our dogs. Pigs will squabble. They
are extremely hierarchical, and will periodically test to see if their position
can change. These squabbles are generally fairly minor in the normal course of
their lives. Mine went through some pretty ugly times every time I added one. If
you get two from the same litter, I would think you would not have to go through
the really horrible fighting.
My pigs do not go after bystanders, although Charlotte
may get pushy with folks who come into our home. If the company is distressed I
do not allow Charlotte in when they are here. Most of our friends know to call
her bluff, though. None of my other pigs ever do this. In fact they usually
leave the room if we have folks over.
All five of my pigs have very different personalities,
much like kids. Charlotte is my first, and the most bonded to me and my husband.
She is always at our side, and only wants to go outside to potty. I can hug and
kiss her to my heart’s content. Charlie is my beautiful boy. He prefers to be
outside most of the time, though he does like to come in some in the evening. He
loves to be scratched and rubbed, though will jump up if he feels like he is
being (or might be) confined. He is VERY whiney, will loudly complain if he
doesn’t get what he wants (like his meals on time). Charlotte is terrified of
Charlie since he grew his tusks. He used to be afraid of her before that.
Sweet Pea is extremely shy. She is very bonded to
Charlie and is almost always at his side. We have to approach Sweetie very
slowly and carefully, or she will shy away. She does not tolerate being around
other people at all. We try to get her to come inside for a little attention
each evening, but she is very slow and nervous about coming in. Glory is my
"badass". She will not start fights but she is not taking guff off of
anyone. She likes to get attention, but wants to be the instigator. She seems to
pull away if it gets too lovey. She will sleep and hang out with any of the
other pigs. Donna Jean is our baby, the one we call our "little
princess". She is very cuddly with us, but does not get along with the
other pigs. She is not inside as much as Charlotte, but much more than the other
pigs.
All of this is to say each of these animals is an
individual with his/her own personality. We love all of our pigs and feel that
five is just the right number — for now.
-- Louise Baldwin, Texas
Two pigs are better than one for a host of reasons...
I
do think that with children involved two would be a better option than one.
There are people who have had problems with children and pigs. I believe that
the children came after the pig was grown and the pig was defending its family,
as he saw it. With two pigs the chances of that aggression rearing its head is
almost totally reduced. My sister has a seven month old baby and he loves the
pigs to death. My sister and I have a brother/sister pig pair, Boggie and Garbo.
Two pigs in my opinion are better than one in any case.
If you get them at the same time then you will avoid fighting to establish
dominance. The pair will still want and need your love and attention. They will
do their "piggy" things with each other and won’t try to treat you
as if you are a pig.
-- Alice Butler, Texas
The boys are doing GREAT!!!
Toby and Tito come when
called, sit, circle and lay on command. They aren’t having any problems going
down or coming up the ramp to their yard. In fact, they mostly do all of their
business outside and just play and tear up the paper in their litter box.
Anyway, the litter box will be a thing of the past soon.
Their personalities are so different. Toby is coming
out of his shell. His most favorite thing in the whole world to do is ROOT. He
roots in the grass, he roots in blankets, he roots on Tito, he roots on ME! It’s
really funny. Toby falls down on his side when you barely touch him and lays
there indefinitely as long as someone is touching him.
Tito is much friskier. He is the first to go up and
down the ramp. He heads up all investigations. Tito is in to ramming Toby and
aggravating him. He wears the harness well and lets us lead him a little better
than Toby. He is very talkative and gets really miffed easily. We are so glad we
made the decision to adopt our brother piglets — they are such pals.
-- Catherine Spangler, Illinois
I have eight pigs...
...who live in the house and each pig
has a best friend. Each pig came into the house one at a time, and after the
initial scuffles, they became friends with the established pigs. Bacon was first
into the house, and when Porkchop came to live with us, Bacon was furious. It
seemed as if Bacon wanted to kill Porkchop. But after a few days, the scuffles
ended and the friendship began. Now Bacon and Porkchop are very good friends;
they play together and they sleep together. Bacon’s friendship with Porkchop
never affected his relationship with me — Bacon is still my friend. It became
obvious that even though Bacon and I were friends, and even though we lived with
other animals (dogs and cats), Bacon was especially happy to have a pig friend.
This was confirmed as we got more pigs and these pigs would pair up: Hambone
with Zoro, Hoover with Top Hog, and Hamlet with Hamburger. Pigs like pigs and I
think it’s best to have two of each type animal just like in nature.
The hard part to believe is that, in the long run, a
second pig takes up no more space and no more work than one. It’s no harder to
take two scoops of food, or cut one carrot into two pieces, or set two bowls on
the floor instead of one. Two pigs keep each other company and occupied. With a
second pig, they become more interested in training, are more stable and well
adjusted. Most importantly, they get more time to act like pigs.
-- John Vincent, Colorado
"The Pig Person's Perfect
Pet"
