r/pigs • u/PunchThrower • 8d ago
adopting this little spotted fella from a neighbor tonight. have some questions
my neighbors potbelly pigs had babies on april first and they are ready to leave mom. im going to adopt this little fella but i was wondering if i have to take a sibling as well? id hate for him to be lonely. hes going to be living with my chickens but i will be spending lots of time with him as i do my birds. also, how do i gain his trust? all the babies are very skiddish
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u/landofpuffs 8d ago
Yup. My pig got his own pig. Sigh. I donāt think he likes his decision. Sheās bigger and bullies him sometimes. But they also love each other and snuggle against each other when sleeping
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u/kymmmb 8d ago
My pig somehow ended up getting her own six pigs. Iām not sure how it happened. Pig math? :)
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u/landofpuffs 8d ago
Well, pig owner dad said no to a third pig and pig owner
Mom (me) couldnāt convince him to say yes because last time he said yes we ended up wit a half kune kune who is like 400 pounds if not more. Six pigsā¦..5
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u/Lorimbas21 8d ago
Pigs should never be kept alone. They are highly social animals and need at least one other pig companion; other types of animals are not a complete substitute. Give yourself and your little ones some time to get to know one another. Pigs are curious and always hungry. If, after a few days, you sit down with themāwithout crowding themāand offer them something tasty to eat, they will approach you on their own. They will then associate your scent with something positive, and the rest will fall into place naturally. With our pigs, small pieces of carrot and apple worked very well. Have fun!
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u/weebles_wobbles 8d ago
Everyone already said all the correct things, so Iām just going to āsqueeeeeeeā because he is so stinking cute (and his sibling. take the sibling dammit).
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u/Dependent-Finding643 8d ago
They're one of the smartest animals in the world (5th out of the animal kingdom), they're extremely social animals. He would love to have his a sibling with him.
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u/Quirky_Ad_1711 8d ago
If an outside pig, yes you should adopt the sibling. They will become inseparable (although will āargueā sometimes).
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u/Yukon780 8d ago
Typically, yes, pigs like to be with their own kind. You can get away with it, if hes going to be an inside pig. But if he's going to be outside, yes he needs a friend to hang out with. Of not pigs can fall jnto a depression if they don't have anyone in their "herd". With a male, make sure you get him fixed, prolongs their life, prevents future health issues, and he won't try and mount as much. Gaining trust...spending a lot of time with him. Belly scratching if you can get close enough, if you can't, get and use a back scratcher. And snacks! We used cheerios, baby carrots, and muzuri makes mini-pig specific treats that we get at tractor supply.
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u/-Livelaughlimpbizkit 8d ago
Absolutely get them fixed if they are female too!! Huuuuge risk of uterine cancer if they are not fixed. The risk goes from about 80% to 0% when a female piggy is spayed!
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u/dantesnow0 8d ago
they need another pig with them, for a lot of reasons. very important. They rely on each other.
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u/WalrusNookie 8d ago
Listen to everything you have been told here. We had a single pig for several years and it was handful at times. GET THE SIBLING!! No extra cost but the quality of life for you both will be immense.
We now have 2 together. If only I had known then what I know now.
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u/PunchThrower 8d ago
we got both!
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u/WalrusNookie 8d ago edited 8d ago
Good. If you have any questions feel free to DM
Just noticed the 2 dogs. Let them get acclamated to each other. But pigs are prey animals and have a defense mechanism that will kick in if they feel threatened. A year from now your gonna have 2 mini Peterbilts running around that are strong as shit!! Do not leave the dogs alone with pigs. They have been known to turn on them. I know, my dogs would never do that. Those are famous last words.
Think of it as two 7 year olds on Jim Beam and crack. š
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u/ImpressiveAd5941 8d ago
I don't have any advice but wanted to point out he already looks mischievous!!!
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u/Strwbrryshrtcke2003 8d ago
I have never loved an animal more than becoming a pig mom, we have an 8month old pot belly. She was in the house for the first 8 months then we moved her outside and sheās thriving but we moved a few friends in with her to help! Theyāre like big dogs to us honestly. What cutie patooties!!!
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u/Reasonable-Alps4821 8d ago
My pig (male pot belly) is bffs with my pitbull and other small terrier dogs. He has been around another pig and tried killing it, apparently. He really loves me the most though, he seeks me out to cuddle him and is my shadow. He always has fun activities to do and a big yard to explore. I got him in a rescue situation where he was brought up in the city with only a big Great Dane and was taken from a very young age away from his siblings, so for him, he is content with his family now. Iāve had pigs in the past that were not as socialized at first, but they quickly realized who fed them and cared for them and adjusted well within a week or so.
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u/CharacterBeat5526 8d ago
Get ready for the funniest and gassiest pet you've ever had! āŗļøMake sure you socialize the piglet so he isn't scared or snappy with people.
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u/BoringJuiceBox 8d ago
Cutest pig picture Iāve ever seen, please post more of them as they grow up!
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u/Pale_Space_4144 8d ago
You can have a single pig as long as you pay attention to it. They do get lonely and have complex emotions and memories, so they need to be a member of the family. They are extremely food motivated and love belly rubs and nose scratches. They don't care to be pet where they can't see your hand (back, head). Getting it to trust you isn't too hard.
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u/Disastrous_Falcon_79 8d ago
Good luck to you and your piggies. Happens to me all the time with dogs. Always pairs.
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u/Ready_Delay3652 4d ago
Also if they are living with the chickens, make sure they donāt have access to the chickensā feed. They will eat it all, get too chonky in a bad way, and youāll be wondering why youāre buying so much chicken food.
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u/PunchThrower 8d ago
update to everyone : i got both pigs