Baby Guinea Pigs

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Sjlh

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Hi, My parents bought my daughter two female piggies for her birthday back in June. Today i came down to find that one has given birth to 4 pups. I obviously had a good idea she was pregnant as she was huge.

Mummy is eating and drinking well and babies seem very happy and active too. My question is should I remove the other female? I have read conflicting advice and i'm unsure what to do for the best. I haven't seen any sign pf aggression, in fact the other female seems to mostly be keeping out of the way.
 
It was a bit! All my other pets are rescues, now I know why!
 
Sjlh said:
Hi, My parents bought my daughter two female piggies for her birthday back in June. Today i came down to find that one has given birth to 4 pups. I obviously had a good idea she was pregnant as she was huge.

Mummy is eating and drinking well and babies seem very happy and active too. My question is should I remove the other female? I have read conflicting advice and i'm unsure what to do for the best. I haven't seen any sign pf aggression, in fact the other female seems to mostly be keeping out of the way.
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Hi and welcome!

You can complain to the shop your parents got the piggies from (including to the local council about trading standards).

If the companion is tolerated, you do not need to separate. This is only recommended if both sows are pregnant, if there is aggression between the sows or if mum is ignoring her babies to be with her friend(s). You may see some major dominance once the babies are being weaned and lose their special protection; they are usually put at the bottom of the hoerarchy quite emphatically. Please separate any baby boys at 3 weeks of age unless they are very large or very small. Our separating thread will give you the guidelines and a sexing link, but you are welcome to ask any questions you may have in this thread here.

Here are our tips for baby care. You can find what you need to look out for in mum in the next few days at the end of the labour thread.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/labor-and-birth.109382/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/after-birth-and-baby-care.109389/

As we have got members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can tailor any advice as efficiently as possible to what is available and doable where you are.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/separating-baby-boars-and-rehoming-babies.109391/
 
Thank you. I'm not sure why anyone would choose to breed, i'm worried sick about them all :-(
 
Thank you. Another question....how do I know if she is nursing them? They are usually huddled away in the bedroom part together so I can't actually see.
 
Sjlh said:
Thank you. Another question....how do I know if she is nursing them? They are usually huddled away in the bedroom part together so I can't actually see.
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Weigh your pups daily at the same time. the ideal birth weight is 70-100g. You should see a weight gain from day 2-3 once the digestive tract has started working (you may see mum licking bums in the next few days for that purpose). Until then, they are provided for and may lose jus the odd gram. Weigh mum every second day instead of weekly as you should with every healthy piggy.
If just one pup is losing weight or not putting on any weight, then it is a problem with the pup. If all pups are not thriving (i.e. not putting on weight steadily), have mum seen by a vet promptly.
 
All the best! Make sure that you take plenty of pictures; babies grow up so very quickly!
 
Thank you all. I've hardl slept worrying about them but they al look bouncy this morning :-)
 
Mummy pig feels very thin. Her spine feels very prominent. She is eating really well tho.
 
Bless you all. What a shock. Baby piggies are the cutest babies (after humans) IMHO all feet and ears. As Wiebke says take plenty of pictures as they grow so fast x
 
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