 Guinea Pig Babies Looking For Good Homes! |
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 Oct 28 2008, 06:25 PM
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#1
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Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 27-October 08 Member No.: 6,171 registration: 15  |
Hi all,
I discovered last weekend that Almond, my guinea pig is pregnant! :-) I'm looking for good homes for the future babies! Please send me an email to szilviajuhasz at freemail dot hu if you are interested and I will email you pictures as soon as the babies are born. For now I try to post here pictures of the parents Almond and Chocolate. Thanks in advance! Szilvia
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Oct 28 2008, 10:57 PM
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#2
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 Group: Turks Posts: 2,697 Joined: 30-July 06 From: In Guinea-pig Valley, Co. Rabbit World, Big Juicey Carrot Land Member No.: 3,058 |
Has the mother been seen by a vet? Or are you just guessing that she is preggers by the size?
 You know that the male must be separated from her close to when she is due to give birth as he could both stress her out and hurt the babies. But most importantly she will become fertile again (I can't remember exactly if pigs go into heat) as soon as she has given birth and he will mate with her and you will then have more babies and unless you have homes lined up for the babies it's adviseable not to do this. Have you decided what to do with the mum and dad? Most people rehome one of the parents with one of the same sex kids after they have been properly introduced. G.pigs can be neutered however as with any small animal it is a risky procedure and if pos it would be better to separate male and female - in my opinion. Start reading up on the internet now all the stages of piggy pregnancies so that you know what to expect especially with regards to her nutrition requirements! Good luck and we are looking forward to pics of the bubs when they are born 
-------------------- The Deadly Donkey
Beware of the Deadly Donkey Falling slowly from the sky You can choose the way You live, me friend But not the way you die |
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Oct 28 2008, 11:28 PM
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#3
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 Anythin stirrin (thick Wickla accent)  Group: Members Posts: 13,999 Joined: 5-September 03 From: Kipperary (Near Tipp-Kilkenny border) Member No.: 303 |
How far along is she do you rekon? I would seperate the male before she has the babies, not too soon before so they still have the company for each other but don't risk leaving him in there for an extra week or two if you're not sure of the date. He can be housed alongside her so they can still chat to each other. Depending on the sex of the babies they can be homed in same sex pairs and then daddy neutered and introduced back to the mum after 5 to 6 weeks. Few different options if there is an odd number of females vs males but you can cross that bridge when you come to it.
Do ensure though that the babies are properly sexed and males seperated from females as soon as they are weaned. The mum may need a little extra food now as well. You might know all this just posting this just in casey. Highly recommend you get The Sex Life of Guineapigs by Peter Gurney, it will walk you through what to expect now and during and after the birth of the babies. Still borns can occur so this is something you may have to prepare for, can be a very sad sight but trick is to keep an eye if possible when she's having them to give a hand should she get into difficulty. Usually piggies get along fine by themselves but sometimes they can run into problems. Although checking her regularly is important try not to handle her as much now. Obviously the babies when born will be born and weaned over winter time so would need indoor homes only. --------------------  |
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Oct 29 2008, 06:33 PM
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#4
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Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 27-October 08 Member No.: 6,171 registration: 15 |
Hi all,
thanks so much for your kind reply!! :-) You wrote me lots of usefull information, I really appreciate that. Yes, I'm gessing the pregnancy by Almonds' size, I think I can't be wrong. :-) Since I find out about the good news I spent days educating myself about this topic! My new cage to seperate the guinea pigs is already ordered. :-) And you see I'm way ahead the time, I'm already looking for homes. I did think about all the options of keeping babies/parrents and in what combination. The only question I want to ask my vet is, that I might get the male neutered now, and if I do, could he go back to the cage with the piggy mum and babies. But I only want to go this road if I can't find a home that takes one of the parents. Anyway, thanks for all the usefull advice, and if anyone wants a guinea pig let me know! :-) |
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Oct 29 2008, 10:55 PM
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#5
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Anythin stirrin (thick Wickla accent) Group: Members Posts: 13,999 Joined: 5-September 03 From: Kipperary (Near Tipp-Kilkenny border) Member No.: 303 |
The male could be neutered now but not reintroduced to the female for 5 to 6 weeks because he will still be fertile for that time.
If he was neutered now he could be introduced back to her once the babies are weaned. I wouldn't take him out and neuter him and put him back in straight away that may upset the mum and he will be still fertile. A neutered male can live with one or more females no problem if introductions are done on neuteral territory. He'll be a bit excited at first but will calm down and settle in. I always think it's sometimes best to have at least 2 females to every neutered male so they can keep manners on him but it all depends on the male some males are less pushy and they get on fine with one female. Guineapigs need to be kept in pairs so if homing one of the parents they would need to be homed with one of the babies (of the same sex). One baby male can be introduced to the dad once it's weaned and he would not need to be neutered then. However sometimes as the baby matures the balance can be upset so new owners would have to keep an eye on that and make sure things go smoothly by providing enough hidey places and a large enclosure for them with unlimited supplies of food etc. It all depends how many baby males and females you end up with though. They can be tricky to sex at first but easy enough by the time they hit 4 to 5 weeks if unsure have an experienced vet tell you some vets don't know enough about guinea pigs so make sure you have one you can trust. Do keep in mind that if you have a pair of males together that you must keep them in a seperate room from any females because if a pair of males smell a female in heat they will fight with each other and can end up with serious injuries or worse even if they get on well. Edited to add, just noticed their piccy, very cute they look very young how old is she? She deffo looks preg. in the photo. This post has been edited by Beckys Barkery: Oct 29 2008, 11:05 PM -------------------- |
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Oct 29 2008, 11:37 PM
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#6
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Group: Turks Posts: 2,697 Joined: 30-July 06 From: In Guinea-pig Valley, Co. Rabbit World, Big Juicey Carrot Land Member No.: 3,058 |
Can I just emphasize what Becky has said above: If two males can smell a female in heat at all they will go crazy. I would almost go as far as saying if you were planning on keeping males and females you would need to change your clothes when handling each and washing your hands.
Also it can only ever be one neutered male to any number of females as they don't know they are neutered and will still fight with other males when a female is in heat and will still try and mate with her. -------------------- The Deadly Donkey
Beware of the Deadly Donkey Falling slowly from the sky You can choose the way You live, me friend But not the way you die |
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Oct 30 2008, 06:32 PM
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#7
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Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 27-October 08 Member No.: 6,171 registration: 15 |
Hi, thanks again for all the usefull info!
I think I'm going to rehome one of the parents then, seems to be the best idea! :-) To answer the question, the male is 6 months old, the female is 7. Thanks again for everything! Szilvia |
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Nov 22 2008, 10:50 AM
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#8
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 Group: Members Posts: 87 Joined: 11-September 07 From: westmeath Member No.: 4,867 registration: 15 |
can i just give you this link... its a fab site and you will get lots of piggy support and info...
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/index.php Good luck with the babies , I have 12 piggies and love them to bits, they are adorable and the site i gave you will really help alot x |
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Nov 3 2009, 08:09 PM
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#9
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Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 12-October 09 Member No.: 7,100 registration: 15 |
Guinea pigs go into heat every 15 or so days
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Nov 3 2009, 08:15 PM
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#10
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Anythin stirrin (thick Wickla accent) Group: Members Posts: 13,999 Joined: 5-September 03 From: Kipperary (Near Tipp-Kilkenny border) Member No.: 303 |
This thread methinks is around a year old lol.
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