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Original poster

Huge Problem With Guinea Pigs

41 replies

Evenstar · 19/04/2019 22:21

I posted the other week about my problems with ill Guinea pigs I have 7 separated from each other as my vet believes there is a virus. Six are healthy and in another hutch. I realised this week that one appeared to be pregnant, I got her as a baby in the middle of February with another from a different litter. After thinking it over I decided to look at the one that came with her, it turns out it is a boy confirmed by admins on an internet group.

They are all going to be pregnant aren’t they? I cannot believe the mess I am in. I am getting a separate cage tomorrow for the boy but I am really worried how I am going to cope. Any advice?

OP posts:
FunkyBarnYardBroom · 19/04/2019 22:38

Oh dear.... Some fluff balls are sure to be on the way.

Whereabouts are you?

Original poster
Evenstar · 19/04/2019 22:50

In Hampshire, I am just at my wits end, I had no plans to breed and the logistics are making my head ache. I know I am going to have to at least temporarily get more accommodation for them until the babies can leave. I am going to get the one boar neutered, but certainly any other boars will have to go and the local rescue I have a contact with is overrun with boars.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/04/2019 19:14

Oh Shock so potentially you could have how many pg females?

Hopefully , only this one is (not ideal but damage limitations)
How old are your other sows that were running about with the boar? You have to bear in mind that first time litters over the age of 10-12 months are at risk.

If you have a group of pg sows together , they can spontaneously go into labour triggered by one giving birth. It is really hard to guess the gestation, some sows look huge , others are slimmer (especially if they have one piglet )

My sows went into season within 24 hours of each other ( Ex breeders) I could tell by their evil tempers and even eviller pee . Our lovely (but dense) neutered boar didn't know what day of the week it was !

They can also 'absorb' a pregnancy if they are under stress , though I don't know how common that is.

Sadly boars are harder to place (I know when I got GP3 , all the sow piglets were reserved ) but if someone needs a boar date , a very tiny boar piglet is the optimum.

Crossing all fingers that you only have one pg sow . (And I'm guessing you've got him out of there !)

Flockingflamingo · 20/04/2019 19:20

Oh no, what a nightmare! I have very little advice, just hoping for you that you dlnt have a brood of pregnant piggies Brew

reefedsail · 20/04/2019 19:27

Uh oh!

Probably the cheapest housing solution while you have a million pigs is large plastic storage boxes. Not at all ideal for the pigs space wise, but it will be very temporary.

I think you have to separate boy piglets from the girls and mother at 3 weeks, so you could be in need of a LOT of boxes.

On the plus side think how CUTE they are going to be!!

Original poster
Evenstar · 21/04/2019 00:09

I believe I have at least another 4 who are almost certainly pregnant, as they have been sharing a hutch with him since the middle of February and two more who are possibly pregnant, so potentially 7 altogether 😱My Guineas are therapy pets and visit nursing homes and I can’t remember whether the two from the other hutch travelled with the “rogue” male on the two occasions he went out. Four out of the five who are almost definitely pregnant are rescues and I think but cannot be certain are OK age wise.

I have separated him and will be getting him neutered to keep with my girls. I am very aware of the lack of interest in boars and can only hope that I can find loving homes for the babies. Praying 🙏🏻 for lots of sows as I know the local rescue has a waiting list.

OP posts:
KC225 · 22/04/2019 10:21

That is so sad - our first ever Guinea pigs are two boys and we love them to bits. Yes, they were on Facebook as the teenager had grown bored but we love them. They have fantastic personalities - we have had them two years in July.

Original poster
Evenstar · 24/04/2019 20:27

Three babies arrived this morning, all arrived within half an hour, the other sows came and helped mum wash them. I expect more in about a month 🙄

OP posts:
KC225 · 24/04/2019 22:13

Gorgeous. How sweet that the other girls came to help, I had no idea they did that? Good luck OP. Congratulations.

Twillow · 24/04/2019 22:38

As long as you keep the male elsewhere you can house together as many mums and babies as you want.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/04/2019 18:31

Awww they are gorgeous . Is Mum a Teddy? When you look at the size of the piglets and the Mum, you think :
"How the Jeff did they all fit in there"?
She looks relieved , knackered and judgey in equal measure Grin

ATowelAndAPotato · 25/04/2019 18:31

ahhh they are lovely though :)

We are near Hampshire and looking to get our first guinea pigs. can I ask which rescue you have contacts with? maybe we can free up some room for you!

Original poster
Evenstar · 26/04/2019 14:16

Yes Mum is a Teddy, Dad is a Black and White Sheltie so not sure how they are all white! Unless one of her littermates is the father, so far it looks like 2 sows and one boar, 2 pink eyed and 1 dark eyed. I don’t expect any more arrivals for 3 weeks to a month based on how long the male was in there. Couldn’t believe there were 3 and how big considering she is so young.

ATowelAndAPotato the rescue is northhampshirerabbits.weebly.com/

They do have Guineas as well!

OP posts:
MIA12 · 26/04/2019 14:19

Sorry to hear you’ve got such a mess to contend with but, my god, they’re gorgeous Envy

Peachy85 · 26/04/2019 14:24

I have Degus (both boys) and your situation is a reoccurring dream of mine....

I come down in the morning(dream) and theres suddenly 10 or so pups the cage and they keep breeding.... Im running around looking for extra cages for them but there aren't any... I usually wake up sweating and have to go and check them lol....

I hope you cope better than my dream self and i really hope you can find good homes for all the cutie critters xxx

DOLLYDAYDREAMER · 26/04/2019 22:22

Northhampshire rabbit rescue do have guineas too - also Furlock Holmes in Whitchurch - they are both really good

FunkyBarnYardBroom · 12/05/2019 18:01

How is it all going? Any more cuties?

BumbleBeeWineGlass · 12/05/2019 18:23

I have lots of piggies,

I have unknowingly had 3 boys living with 3 girls for a while (now separated) I don't think any of them are pregnant though but they must be surely? They've been together for about 6-8 weeks!
I also have another 2 girls who thankfully haven't been in with the boys.
The 3 boys were from the rescue section of P@H and I was told they were girls. 2 of my girls are fatties but always have been a bit chunky.

RavenLG · 12/05/2019 18:27

Eek! What a predicament OP. How are the other pigs?
Remember to separate boys from mums at no later than 3 weeks or you’ll end up with more pregnant piggies!

IncrediblySadToo · 12/05/2019 18:34

Baby guinea pigs are one of the cutest things EVER.

I can’t have any right now, I wish I could!

Looking forward to more photos!

Good luck with getting them all sorted out, that’s a lot of squeakers!

78percentLindt · 12/05/2019 18:36

Ohhh. I want guineas again, but I let all my things go....... We had 2 boys - brothers and they were lovely and very happy.
Also had a girl who hated other guineas later. She ruled the house with a paw of iron.

Original poster
Evenstar · 12/05/2019 18:46

No more so far, I think he got the one he came with first as she was the same size, they were only 8 weeks old. I have 3 who are definitely pregnant, 2 of them I can hear the babies teeth chattering which means a week or less apparently, with the other one I can hear heartbeats and 2 more, the largest ones who are still on pregnancy watch as they have gained some weight. I have to separate any boys from the first litter this week or risk starting all over again, luckily I have a friend whose husband is an experienced breeder who will double check them all again. My boy is still in another cage, but doing well after his neuter. Will post more baby pictures when they arrive, the first thing I do every morning is check the hutch.

OP posts:
IncrediblySadToo · 12/05/2019 20:00

Has he got a box of cigars?! 🤣

Are they all looking well? (You said the vet thought they might have a virus?)

I didn’t know you could hear the babies teeth chattering. I can’t decide if that’s cute or creepy!!

Feel free to post photos of any of them. You can never have too many guinea pig photos 😊💕

Original poster
Evenstar · 13/05/2019 08:25

All looking well at the moment, none in quarantine now, so just hoping for safe deliveries and healthy babies 🐹

OP posts:
vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 13/05/2019 08:29

They are born fluffy? I thought they'd be like rabbits, ugly little things till their eyes open.

Cute babies.

Bloody nightmare, though.