introducing an 8 week old piggy to one year old female

Question
Hi there:  We own a female potbellied pig, Jemima, one year old and spayed.  We just received an 8 week old female. Jemima has been raised in the house, toilets outside, and is very sweet.  However, the piglet came to us with an injured eye and we have been apprehensive to introduce the 2 of them yet, other than through their crates.  Jemima has approached Moo's crate and kind of charged at it a few times; she has chased after Moo outside but when I have told Jemima "no" she has cried a bit and left Moo alone.  What and when is the best way to introduce these 2 and what should I expect? I have been told that Jemima won't "kill" Moo. Thanks for any advice.

Answer
Piggy introductions can be tense, but eventually the piggies will form a deep and lasting bond. Pigs see the world as a ladder, and each pig has his, or her, own rung. When two piggies meet, they have to decide which pig is on which rung. One pig will be the dominant pig, the other will be second in command.

When two adult pigs are introduced to each other, they often fight. But, because one of your pigs is a baby and the other is still very young, chances are there will be little or no fighting. The baby will let the older pig be the dominant pig.

Your pigs have had a while to see and smell each other. The best thing to do is let them together in the yard or play room and let them work things out between them. Jemima will probably chase Moo around for a bit, but babies are nimble enough to evade adult pigs. You might want to put a bit of Vaseline or other slippery lotion on Moos' ears before the big introduction. Pigs often grab ears when they fight, the slippery lotion prevents them from latching on and doing any real damage.

It can be hard for owners to watch the introduction squabbles without interfering, but interfering just prolongs the fighting. It's ok to leave the two of them alone to work things out.