[Bioman]

Hi

I am thinking of going for two groups of weaners to fatten over the winter from two different breeders. My question is how do you introduce one group of weaners to another? As I believe they may fight. Is there any way to reduce the risk of this happening?

Not the best worded question, my brain doesnt want to do english 

Thanks!

[violet]

In my limited personal experience of this I have found that they don't fight.

But I know friends who have had that experience. But at that age they won't do each other much damage. But there are perhaps disease control precautions that you might like to take.
I believe that the answer is to divide them, perhaps by string an electric fence wire across the paddock, and then to feed them either side of this untill you feel they have got to know each other.

When I did this once ( different litters with no previous contact, but both my own bred weaners) - they just ignored the dividing wire, jumped over it went through and sorted themselves out into two groups  yet they were still happy enough to be scared of the perimeter electric fence.

Someone hopefully with greater experience than mine will be along soon. 

[oaklandspigs]

We mix weaners all the time, either for us to fatten or because our customers like to mix breeds from different litters.

As weaners there may be some pushing and shoving, and there may be the occasional skin scratch as they jossle for a while, or they may just all meet and then go to sleep together.

The only rule is not to mix in transport, so socialise at source for 24 hours (which is what we do for customers) prior to collection or colect seperately and introduce when they get home.

Give them room to run away (opposite to rams who you mix in as small a space as possible), with pigs they need room to run away, so the loser can run.

[Padge]

what about mixing weaners with older pigs.......we have 2 girls approx 20 weeks   and now 3 weaners at 10 weeks   2 boars and a gilt    currently they are kept separately but ideally need to put them together when and if at all possible

[oaklandspigs]

Pigs of different ages generally mix very easily.  Small ones don't chllange the big ones, and big ones see small ones as posing no threat, so they tend to sniff, and the little ones run away.  You may get some jossling, but generally within 24 hours all sleeping together.

[benkt]

We combined a group of GOS with a group of saddlebacks who were about a month younger this year. Kept them on separate sides of an electric fence for a couple of weeks and then moved the groups round so all the boys were together and all the girls were together. We had no significant problems from this.

[Barrett]

I have mixed lately and had a few squabbles but only with the Saddlebacks they do tend to pick on the smaller ones, I have a pen for little weaner's 2 months to 5 months then move the older ones out into another pen were they can all behave like hoody yobs and fight and squabble then at 7 months they are moved again into a finishing pen. As most of mine are GOS which are pretty calm and placid you put a young Saddleback in the mix and all hell broke loose the saddleback was bleeding from the mouth and all sorts they did calm down though once the Saddleback was put in his place.  On the whole mixing is not a problem just keep and eye on them for about 15 mins, they do sort themselves out in the end.

[violet]

BUT how about mixing pigs from different breeders?

Are there any precautions that should be taken first?

[Barrett]

Very good point, yes there should be, be interesting to hear some suggestions.

[robert waddell]

this mixing       the best parallel is humans         children (strangers )will mix and play together as will small pigs  may be a few tantrums but peace will prevail            teenagers  can be a bit anti social big strops others will saddle to others (either sex) there may be a few bust ups but they get on just like gilts and boars       now adults they are set in there ways and generally co-exist amicably but there are the many exceptions some want total dominance others just want a bit of peace and others just cant stand there equals and want solitude just like adult pigs with the odd bitching and full scale battle when intervention has to take place         take away the human aspect and you have the pig world simplified

[Barrett]

Robert, couldn't have put it better myself, my pens are like nursery school right up to comprehensive school.

[Tudful Tamworths]

BUT how about mixing pigs from different breeders?

Are there any precautions that should be taken first?

The first logical step would be quarantine - to make sure neither batch was carrying something the other could catch. It's always worth having at least two isolation units on your holding (not difficult to get sorted - ask your vet for advice, as the local vet usually carries out the inspection).

As soon as you are ready to mix them, I would swap bedding from one pen/paddock to another, so they get used to one another's smell. Mixing batches of any ages will always result in a few skirmishes, but, as the others have said, they soon blow over.

Smaller ones learn that it makes sense to run away from trouble. You will see a few cuts, particularly on the ears and shoulders, but just keep an eye on them and make sure any serious wounds (if any) are treated. You may find that some spend the night sleeping outside the ark at first, but normally, by the second night, they are all snuggled up together.
Good luck.

[Padge]

Thanks     all reassuring advice