Oppps - my 4 year old piggie girl has just had a litter...

[goingupinsmoke]

What a shocking day - looked out at the run and there were two little piggies?

I have had my 2 girl guineas for 4 years, got two more in September from a pet shop, made sure I asked for 2 more girls.. well guess what... I've just had a mad panic and been prodding and poking my new girls from the shop and they have willies!!

So my other girl could potentially be pregnant.

I've now got the two boys in one hutch, the one girl in other hutch and the mum and babies in my bath, under a cover on a towel.

Based on the fact my two girls get on well do you think mum and babies would be OK going in with the other girl, seeing as she may well be pregnant too??

Any idea what age I have to take the babies aways from mum?

[guineapiglet]

Oh wow, what a shock, but a nice one. Wish I could have the new babies....... -all the girls could potentially go in together, if the babies ARE all girls, but the girl ( not the mum) may well get jealous and arsey with them, so you would be better putting them in slowly over time for them all to get used to each other ( When cage cleaning I used to put mine in a large laundry basket) - this may take time as the non mum might be aggressive.
They will need to stay inside though in this cold, or they may not survive.

TBH, whilst this process takes place, I would try and get a spare hutch ( try freecyle in your area, someone will be giving something away - or even bring outdoor run in and line it with newspaper or hay)- I wouldnt think about rehoming the babies until they are about 8 weeks if possible, keep them warm, - the longer the better gives them the best chance. If you need to take the babes from the Mum, she will be devestated without them,. thats why integration of all 4 together would be your ideal target.... so she is not left entirely on her own.. it will be a bit time consuming though, give all the girls lots of space and lots of food to distract them. If the other one is pregnant as well, she may resent the babies. You have lots to cope with here, good luck in getting them sorted, and make sure you tell the pet shop what they have landed you with!!!!!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

these were the ones you were worried about bullying?
Seems they weren't girl bullies the were young boys on the pull .

Are both of your babies boys?
You could keep them as a pair but they might get a bit arsey with each other with their being sows in the area.
Does your other sow look pg (not always easy to tell if they hide it well, especially with a small litter).

From what I can remember the sow we had weaned her pigs herself at about 4 weeks. The boar babies are fertile at a very early age (I read 4 weeks -gulp)

What are you going to do with them?
If you contact a rescue and let them know you've got babies they might have people interested in a very young boar to match up with an older male.Or they might have some lone boys that they can pair them for rehoming as a pair (much easier than 2 older ones. They'd probably want a donation though)

I'd be with the Pet Shop- you specifically wanted sows. And now you've got piglets and possibly another batch .Though they won't take responsibilty for it (caveat emptor and all that) they might give you a discount on cage, bedding, food (was it an independant or a chain shop?)

I've kept 2 mice with the litter that one had (they didn't eat them ) .If your girls get on, the should be ok, just keep an eye on them.
But keep the boars away.

And double-double check that your two babies are boar/boar not boar/sow or it might be another pitter-patter.

guineapiglet is very broody for guinea-pigs. We need to put a spoiler on Super Furry Animals for her

Warning- cute baby guinea alert

[KRITIQ]

Oh what a shock!

Your sow was very lucky, as it's my understanding that if females aren't bred within the first year, their pubic bone fuses, which makes it very difficult for them to give birth naturally if they conceive later in life. It would be worth getting the other girl checked at the vets to see if she's pregnant and if so, to ensure she is monitored closely as she could need a caesarean section.

I would suggest removing any male minipigs at about age 3 weeks. My DBoar 1 was already being "a bit Oedipal" when he was removed at 3 weeks. Leaving it too 4 weeks could be taking a chance. Little sows can stay with mum and the other adult sow can probably move back in with mum and remaining babes, so long as they get on okay.

Might be possible to re-introduce the two boars and they might bond if kept totally away from the sows. Alternatively, if one of the bubs is a boy, you could possibly introduce him to one of the older boars when he's about 3 or 4 weeks old, going through the "usual process."

Oh heavens, good luck with it all!

[BedsocksarenotsexybutIlovethem]

Just to warn you that female g pigs can mate straight away after giving birth so mummy pig could potentially be pregnant again!

[guineapiglet]

Thats a bit worrying Bedsocks - lets hope the babies are both girls as then they can all stay together - they will need to be sexed asap. IMO it is much to young to take them from the safety and warmth of mum, but I understand this may be necessary to avoid further litters. < I rescued a P@H home baby who was FAR too young to have been taken away, they told me she was 6 weeks, I reckon nearer to 4. Despite lots of intensive tlc and care she died very quickly after bringing her home, about 3 days, bless her. I rang up to complain about her welfare, they werent interested.... hate them>

Hope the babies are doing OK and you have sorted them out a bit, I agree with 70 - the pet shop should take responsibility and perhaps offer you some guinea supplies. Not sure where you live, but I still have some bits and bobs and if you were near enough could come and give you a hand, I do feel you have got a tough job managing it all. Hope all OK

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

guineapiglet my sow weaned her pigs herself but IKWYM about a baby pig in a Petshop. They would have been weaned, transported with a load of other piglets , put in the shop, exposed to everyone.
The stress alone must be horrendous.
At least going from one home to another would be easier for them.

When I was in P@H I saw the piglets (which were 5 weeks old from Spain).

Another time there were piglets on sale and the member of staff said there were some younger ones out in the back .The next wave of fresh guinea-pigs when the present batch got passed it

[goingupinsmoke]

70isaLimitNotaTarget YES!! it's all clear now the problems we were having.

We are in a bit of a muddle and until the babies are sexed not sure what to do at all, we will need to rehome either the mini pigs or the other males that we have only had since september.

What we have at the moment is our two old girls, mum and friend looking after the mini pigs who are doing great and growing before our eyes.

We have two males in a hutch together not getting on very well, they have taken over different areas of the hutch.

The mini pigs are either both males or both females, but what ever they are it's the same.

The pet shop is the chain, that gets bad press, be we've adopted our rabbits from them but the piggies are all new ones. I've spoken to them and they have said sorry and will take our males back and rehome them for us, seeing as they don't get on this maybe our only option.

But then if the mini pigs are boys what do we do with them...?

We have the space, big hutches coming out of our ears, but the outside space which is the cracking area for them all would be a nightmare to manage with 4 males and 2 females and would mean our old girls would be more hutch bound if we kept them all.

We can't bring inside as we just don't have the space and we have two big dogs, but I've bought a disc that goes in the microwave and gives heat for 12 hours, wrapped in a towel and in mums hutch each evening, and they are up to the roof in hay in the bed area.

Our piggies have always lived out so I would have to just hope the mini pigs will be OK. They have been named.

I'm in limbo as I can't bring myself to give the males back to pet shop on the run up to christmas..ARhhhhh.

We are also waiting to see if anymore Minipigs arrive gulp!

[goingupinsmoke]

guineapiglet that's so kind of you - we are in Hampshire - Actually if I take pictures of the mini pigs bits and bobs would anyone on here be OK to sex them? I've looked online but I'm not expert.

[fridayfreedom]

don't know where you are in Hampshire , but there is a rescue near me called Wheek and Squeak Guinea Pig rescue. We got our lovely boys from there.
The owner is very helpful and may be able to help with some advice etc

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I'd say rescue rather than return the boys to that Pet Shop (is it the one that was on WatchDog)?

Even if they have to seperate your boys- or they might be able to match them back together in a neutral environment. Or match them with a single boar they have. Or neuter and match with a sow.

I don't want to guilt trip you when all of this is outside your control.But if you give them back to 'rehome' they'll be put in the Adoption Area and most likely end up in Rescue anyway.

And people do take adult boars from rescue- my DD insisted our GPs were boys and I insisted we got rescue.
Which is why we got the 2 monsters we have.

Keep a check on the minipigs.They will cuddle up to mum, but here has been -1c the past 2 nights.

[goingupinsmoke]

70isaLimitNotaTarget thanks - I did think about neutering the boys.

I'm a bit Hummm about giving to the pet shop as well... But I have a few weeks to work out what sex the Minipigs are, and then I'll have to decide on what to do.

The boys I have here are only about 5/6 months old, but seeing as they don't get on well I figured splitting them to new homes maybe the kindest option?

We are keeping an eye on the minipigs cold wise, I'd love to bring them in but we just can't, the day I found them I brought them in and filled the bath with hay and fleece and put a house in for them - DH came home and was But it meant we could give them a good check over and make sure mum was feeding them OK.

[goingupinsmoke]

fridayfreedom thank you so much the rescue place is about 20 minutes away so I have just emailed them asking for some advice - The timing is awful as they will be ready to leave mum potentially christmas week -I'd hate to think they would be a gift

[guineapiglet]

Hi again, I can see you have a lot to think about with these problems - but first of all I agree with 70 - anything but P@H - I will name them at Christmas - the rescue sounds like it will be more likely to find homes for people who genuinely want a guinea not just buying one as a last resort....Some folk may also prefer to adopt slightly older guineas as well, and they will, at least, be looked after by people who have some kindness, not treated as objects with no feelings.,,... rant rant.I am also in Hampshire!!!!! You will have to message me your details and we will see if we can help in anyway. At the moment we are renting but Christmas visitors could be welcome on a temporary basis. Would also like to hear more about the rescue place, where it is etc as might be able to go and help there. I know it is a big county - we have just moved here, and not found any animal rescues looking for a kind helper yet..

It is getting very cold for guineas outside now, ice everywhere so lots and lots of insulation needed if they are still out. Could they be brought in overnight on a temporary basis if it gets worse? I used to lie awake and worry about our so much, that they did end up coming in and staying in.......but you do need space, and for them not to be doing different extremes.

[guineapiglet]

Have just had a look at their website and it looks fab and v well organised, I think I shall send them a Christmas donation for the upkeep of their guineas - the good news is that is about half an hour from us, and looks like you would get lots of good advice and help from them. Am going to go and explore round that area over the next few weeks, so will feedback on what it is like- I would definitely take my 'extra' guineas there if I felt it was a good rescue place, they will definitely monitor them more carefully than UknowWhere.

[goingupinsmoke]

Well I have some great news speaking to a client of mine and they are going to take the babies from us after christmas, they are lovely proper animal lovers and have rabbits / horses / chickens and the most amazing playhouse and run for the minipiggies - They have just lost one so this is great timing for them.

Now what to do with my two grumpy not getting on boys :-(

[goingupinsmoke]

guineapiglet welcome to hampshire!!

[guineapiglet]

THanks for the welcome!!! And really pleased you have got what sounds like a wonderful home for the piglets, well done. Others are better placed to advise you on boys, it seems from other threads that they can get arsey with each other and get very territorial, so wont share and cuddle up like girlies do. It might just be their age and the fact that it is winter so they are not out and about so much? THey need to be well occupied (!) and have times apart - ask Bonkey or 70 about their boar strategies!

Really glad you have got it sorted out. IF you ever need a guinea babysitter, let me know, we are currently living in the lovely cathedral city next to the M3 - if you are anywhere nearby......

[fridayfreedom]

glad you found the rescue. They were great re our two, I also have two sponsored piggies who can't be re-homed.
My two are going for Christmas :))
just sitting here litening to big pig wheeking at the wall, getting louder as I am not responding to his "i'm starving" pleas. I think he considers the wall as some sort of 'God' who answers his pleas for food :))

[goingupinfairylights]

They are such funny creatures and the mini pigs are amazing and zipping around everywhere

Guineapiglet in which case I'm about 10 minutes down the road!! Ohhh how exciting, where have you moved from?

[guineapiglet]

Hi all - glad to hear the babies are thriving, it is so lovely to hear - will definitely have to go to the rescue place, it looks and sounds brilliant, and like you will send some roubles to help out over Christmas - I think your guineas will have a lovely holiday there friday! Look forward to hearing all about it.

going up - we moved here three months ago from the peak district - Ive got two teenagers at school here now. It would be lovely to meet up so I can admire your babies at some stage. Do message me your details if you fancy it, I don't really know anyone here yet, so another friendly guinea lover would be so welcome:) And I meant what I said about being a sitter, let me know what you think.

[goingupinfairylights]

Friday are you hampshire too? we seem to of found a hampshire Guinea pig society!!

[fridayfreedom]

hmmm, might be :)

[goingupinfairylights]

[guineapiglet]

Come on Hampshire Guinea people, lets be having you - Im sure we can better a Star Trek convention by having one for Guinea enthusiasts! < guinea people are usually such lovely folk, said a friend of mine - it must be because we love kind and gentle little souls who wouldn't hurt a fly!>