Feeding routine tips

[Jemima]

Hello! Yes, it's me again! Asking about my zillionth question! I am picking up my rescue Guinea Pigs in a week... and of course I will speak to the rescue about this anyway, but it would be lovely to hear your feeding routines.

Is it best to give piggies their 1 cup of veg in one go, say in the morning? or afternoon? What about their tablespoon of pellets? Do you do pellets in the morning, and the veg in the afternoon? Or split the veg portion in half, and do 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 in the afternoon?

They will have an abundant supply of hay daily.

I am going to be home all day working from my office - the piggies will be in there with me! Unless outside in their run when warmer and dry.

I want to set up a consistent feeding routine so they know what to expect and when. I would love my children to be involved in their feeding routine, too.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s what works for you and them!

I feed mine half their veg in the morning and the other half of veg in the evening. On the days I give them pellets (they only get pellets a few times a week, then I tend to give them in the morning. They get forage mixed in with hay every evening.
(I used to do pellets (on pellet day) in the morning and veg at night, but my piggies aren’t great at drinking, so giving them half and half seems to be working better now)

 

[Her Nibship]

Ours have pellets scattered in the morning, veggies in the evening & some yummy forage from Piggie Parcels mixed in with their hay at random points. Of course whenever we speak to them, enter the room, leave the room, or do none of the above they also take that as their cue to set up the "feed us" wheeking!

 

[Jemima]

Ours have pellets scattered in the morning, veggies in the evening & some yummy forage from Piggie Parcels mixed in with their hay at random points. Of course whenever we speak to them, enter the room, leave the room, or do none of the above they also take that as their cue to set up the "feed us" wheeking!

Awe, I am looking forward to the wheeling. I am also really looking forward to having the furry company during my working days What forage can they have? I am going to look this up! I have printed out aveg plan from the rescue, which is so helpful! Obviously I am insanely excited to see them on Saturday! I can choose a pair. There are five male pairs... So I will be looking out for, I don't know what! Goodness knows how I will choose. Hopefully I will just have a gut feeling.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Check out ‘Piggie Parcels‘ website. It is run by a member of this forum. Fantastic forage and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I buy regularly from her.
Some forage needs to be fed more sparingly (sugars and calcium content), but others can be fed daily.

 

[Her Nibship]

Check out ‘Piggie Parcels‘ website. It is run by a member of this forum. Fantastic forage and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I buy regularly from her.
Some forage needs to be fed more sparingly (sugars and calcium content), but others can be fed daily.

Yes, I would go along with that. Piggie Parcels forage is VERY well received by the wheekers & it's lovely to know that you are 'treating' them whilst still giving them high quality. Piggie Parcels' eco credentials are fantastic, too.

 

[Jemima]

Check out ‘Piggie Parcels‘ website. It is run by a member of this forum. Fantastic forage and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I buy regularly from her.
Some forage needs to be fed more sparingly (sugars and calcium content), but others can be fed daily.

Amazing, thank you - I'll do that!

 

[Her Nibship]

Awe, I am looking forward to the wheeling. I am also really looking forward to having the furry company during my working days What forage can they have? I am going to look this up! I have printed out aveg plan from the rescue, which is so helpful! Obviously I am insanely excited to see them on Saturday! I can choose a pair. There are five male pairs... So I will be looking out for, I don't know what! Goodness knows how I will choose. Hopefully I will just have a gut feeling.

I'm sure you will have an instant attraction, although to be honest it really doesn't matter, as the instant you have chosen your boys they automatically become the best!

 

[Jemima]

Yes, I would go along with that. Piggie Parcels forage is VERY well received by the wheekers & it's lovely to know that you are 'treating' them whilst still giving them high quality. Piggie Parcels' eco credentials are fantastic, too.

Just purchased their March forage parcel!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Just purchased their March forage parcel!

You (and your boys) wont be disappointed!

 

[flowerfairy]

I fell in love with all mine just from their pictures! I remember going to the rescue to pick up my two sows in my avatar, Jingle and Mistletoe (guess what time of year they came in to the rescue)?! I was utterly besotted and couldnt stop gazing at them.

I am sure you will adore your boys. 5 pairs to choose from wowser. Heaven.

 

[Her Nibship]

Just purchased their March forage parcel!

Your boys will love you for it! And when they have eaten the forage, cut some doors in it and the box makes a great hide.

 

[Merab]

My routine is breakfast of their pellets and a lettuce leaf each.
Midday - a handful of herbs
Late afternoon- veggie assortment.

This works for us and the piggies have now trained us to ensure that food is not delayed.
Occasionally they have succeeded in wangling 2 midday snacks!

I too get most of my forage from Piggie Parcels and have just ordered a parcel.
I scatter forage around the cage and place a handful in a sea grass basket when I clean the cage.

Only a week to go - how exciting.
Looking forward to lots of piggy spam and as many questions as you want to ask

 

[Jemima]

My routine is breakfast of their pellets and a lettuce leaf each.
Midday - a handful of herbs
Late afternoon- veggie assortment.

This works for us and the piggies have now trained us to ensure that food is not delayed.
Occasionally they have succeeded in wangling 2 midday snacks!

I too get most of my forage from Piggie Parcels and have just ordered a parcel.
I scatter forage around the cage and place a handful in a sea grass basket when I clean the cage.

Only a week to go - how exciting.
Looking forward to lots of piggy spam and as many questions as you want to ask

Thank you for sharing your routine with me - sounds wonderful. I like the idea of a lettuce leaf in the morning and full veg in the afternoon.We will see what works for us and our routines of school etc.

I know, I am really very excited to see the piggies... I am having to be really patient and will powered not to pester the foster carer for photos! My children have a countdown by their beds, and I have one in my head! I will look forward to sharing photos of our new little pals when they are here and settled.

 

[Jemima]

Oh - one more question. I was recommended the science selective pellets, so went and bought a huge bag, but now I am reading that alfalfa meal is not healthy for the pigs? I got a 10kg bag.

They are young piggies (I am collecting them on Saturday). Will it be harmful for me to try to get through this bag and then buy the grain free version? Although now seeing the size of it and realising that they have only a spoonful a day, I reckon that might take me years!

 

[Eddie & Elvis]

I did exactly the same as you and didn't realise they were alfalfa not grass based. Piggies only need a maximum of 6g of pellets per day so I wouldn't worry too much. I'm still working my way through my bag

 

[Piggies&buns]

Alfalfa is high in calcium and is best to avoid, however, they do only have a tiny amount per day and as long as you give filtered water and don’t feed high calcium veggies often, then it is fine to feed those pellets.

If you are worried, then perhaps you could return the bag you’ve got? I would not recommend buying a 10kg bag anyway as it will take such a long time to get through and they won’t be fresh by the time you get to the end of the bag. My 1.5kg bag lasts many months.

 

[Jemima]

Alfalfa is high in calcium and is best to avoid, however, they do only have a tiny amount per day and as long as you give filtered water and don’t feed high calcium veggies often, then it is fine to feed those pellets.

If you are worried, then perhaps you could return the bag you’ve got? I would not recommend buying a 10kg bag anyway as it will take such a long time to get through and they won’t be fresh by the time you get to the end of the bag. My 1.5kg bag lasts many months.

This is a good idea. I might try to do that, although if it is not free returns, I'll have to keep it. I could ask the rescue if they need any, and donate some to them. I don't think I realised the size of the bag, and am so used to ordering massive bags for my cats!

 

[Jemima]

I did exactly the same as you and didn't realise they were alfalfa not grass based. Piggies only need a maximum of 6g of pellets per day so I wouldn't worry too much. I'm still working my way through my bag

Ha ha! Glad I'm not the only one! Did you order the 10kg bag, too?!

I will be really strict with how much they have and ensure to feed low calcium veg.

 

[Jemima]

Alfalfa is high in calcium and is best to avoid, however, they do only have a tiny amount per day and as long as you give filtered water and don’t feed high calcium veggies often, then it is fine to feed those pellets.

If you are worried, then perhaps you could return the bag you’ve got? I would not recommend buying a 10kg bag anyway as it will take such a long time to get through and they won’t be fresh by the time you get to the end of the bag. My 1.5kg bag lasts many months.

P.S. I don't have a water filter! Can I used cooled boiled water - is that the same?

 

[Eddie & Elvis]

Ha ha! Glad I'm not the only one! Did you order the 10kg bag, too?!

I will be really strict with how much they have and ensure to feed low calcium veg.

I don't think I ended up with one as big as a 10kg bag but it's still lasting forever

By the way in answer to your original question I don't feed anything in the morning, just top up their hay as needed. Then at around half 5 they get all their veg and later at around half 8 or 9 they get pellets and sometimes forage from Piggy Parcels.

 

[Piggies&buns]

P.S. I don't have a water filter! Can I used cooled boiled water - is that the same?

You ideally need to give them filtered water so the calcium is reduced. A brita, or supermarket own, filter jug is recommended. Unfiltered water and pellets (even the low calcium grain free pellets) contain more calcium than the highest calcium veg. If I remember rightly, Somerset is a soft water area but i would still filter, particularly if you are going to be feeding pellets which are a bit higher in calcium due to the alfalfa.
While you cannot, nor should you, give them a calcium free diet, keeping it low is all we can do as owners to reduce the risk of bladder problems

 

[Jemima]

You ideally need to give them filtered water so the calcium is reduced. A brita, or supermarket own, filter jug is recommended. Unfiltered water and pellets (even the low calcium grain free pellets) contain more calcium than the highest calcium veg. If I remember rightly, Somerset is a soft water area but i would still filter, particularly if you are going to be feeding pellets which are a bit higher in calcium due to the alfalfa.
While you cannot, nor should you, give them a calcium free diet, keeping it low is all we can do as owners to reduce the risk of bladder problems

OK - thank you. I love the fact that the piggies will be drinking filtered water and we'll be drinking tap I definitely want to do all I can to sustain their health.

 

[Piggies&buns]

OK - thank you. I love the fact that the piggies will be drinking filtered water and we'll be drinking tap I definitely want to do all I can to sustain their health.

The calcium absorption process is complicated, there’s the phosphorous to calcium ratio factored in etc but also a lot of it is down to genetics, some piggies are predisposed to such problems, but doing our bit with diet is all we can control.

 

[Swissgreys]

It has taken years to refine our feeding routine - feel free to take advantage of my experience.

6am
Come downstairs with DD1. Ruby hears DD1 and starts biting the cage bars. DD1 goes to check pellets, while I bellow about only feeding a couple.
DD1 ignores me. Ruby eats too many pellets.

6:45am
After saying goodbye to DD1 I come upstairs to make a cup of tea. I touch the fridge and Ruby shrieks like an air raid siren. I bellow at Ruby to be quiet and eat her pellets.

6:48am
I go over to give Ruby some hay and tell her to stop shrieking.

6:50am
I fling a small slice of pepper at Ruby and beat a hasty retreat to another room to get away from the shrieking.

7:30
DD2 comes downstairs to make breakfast. The shrieking (Ruby)/bellowing (me) routine starts again. At some point DD2 will invariably sneak Ruby some form of treat.

Mid-morning
I make coffee. Ruby shrieks. I bellow but get her veg out of the fridge to warm up. Shrieking continues.

15 minutes later
I chop up fresh veg for all the animals. Ruby continues shrieking until she is finally fed.

Lunchtime
More activity in the kitchen, more shrieking and bellowing. I top up hay again in case she didn't like the first type.

Late afternoon
Children return from school. Ruby shrieks. The children ask why I haven't fed Ruby who is clearly starving. I bellow and the children ignore me and fuss over 'poor Ruby'.

Dinner time
More of the same really.

Late evening
DD1 pops down to say good night to Ruby before she goes to bed. I usually hear bags rustling and the sound of crunching. I have given up bellowing and possibly pour a glass of wine instead.

And so it goes....

 

[rp1993]

Our routine is veggies first thing followed by pellets, with science selective you want grain free as they are not alfalfa based!
then they get veggies again when I finish work at 5, with unlimited top ups of hay throughout the day!
they will soon know their routine, nothing wrong with a piggie body clock!

 

[Jemima]

Our routine is veggies first thing followed by pellets, with science selective you want grain free as they are not alfalfa based!
then they get veggies again when I finish work at 5, with unlimited top ups of hay throughout the day!
they will soon know their routine, nothing wrong with a piggie body clock!

I wish I had known about the grain free thing, because now I have a gigantic 10kg bag of alfalfa based science selective. Oh dear!

 

[Jemima]

It has taken years to refine our feeding routine - feel free to take advantage of my experience.

6am
Come downstairs with DD1. Ruby hears DD1 and starts biting the cage bars. DD1 goes to check pellets, while I bellow about only feeding a couple.
DD1 ignores me. Ruby eats too many pellets.

6:45am
After saying goodbye to DD1 I come upstairs to make a cup of tea. I touch the fridge and Ruby shrieks like an air raid siren. I bellow at Ruby to be quiet and eat her pellets.

6:48am
I go over to give Ruby some hay and tell her to stop shrieking.

6:50am
I fling a small slice of pepper at Ruby and beat a hasty retreat to another room to get away from the shrieking.

7:30
DD2 comes downstairs to make breakfast. The shrieking (Ruby)/bellowing (me) routine starts again. At some point DD2 will invariably sneak Ruby some form of treat.

Mid-morning
I make coffee. Ruby shrieks. I bellow but get her veg out of the fridge to warm up. Shrieking continues.

15 minutes later
I chop up fresh veg for all the animals. Ruby continues shrieking until she is finally fed.

Lunchtime
More activity in the kitchen, more shrieking and bellowing. I top up hay again in case she didn't like the first type.

Late afternoon
Children return from school. Ruby shrieks. The children ask why I haven't fed Ruby who is clearly starving. I bellow and the children ignore me and fuss over 'poor Ruby'.

Dinner time
More of the same really.

Late evening
DD1 pops down to say good night to Ruby before she goes to bed. I usually hear bags rustling and the sound of crunching. I have given up bellowing and possibly pour a glass of wine instead.

And so it goes....

Ha! Brilliant. Thank you for sharing a day in the life of you and your family, based around Ruby's shrieking and demands!

 

[Jemima]

Alfalfa is high in calcium and is best to avoid, however, they do only have a tiny amount per day and as long as you give filtered water and don’t feed high calcium veggies often, then it is fine to feed those pellets.

If you are worried, then perhaps you could return the bag you’ve got? I would not recommend buying a 10kg bag anyway as it will take such a long time to get through and they won’t be fresh by the time you get to the end of the bag. My 1.5kg bag lasts many months.

Managed to organise for it to be returned, and have now bought the grain free version. :-) Thanks for the idea!

 

[Jemima]

It has taken years to refine our feeding routine - feel free to take advantage of my experience.

6am
Come downstairs with DD1. Ruby hears DD1 and starts biting the cage bars. DD1 goes to check pellets, while I bellow about only feeding a couple.
DD1 ignores me. Ruby eats too many pellets.

6:45am
After saying goodbye to DD1 I come upstairs to make a cup of tea. I touch the fridge and Ruby shrieks like an air raid siren. I bellow at Ruby to be quiet and eat her pellets.

6:48am
I go over to give Ruby some hay and tell her to stop shrieking.

6:50am
I fling a small slice of pepper at Ruby and beat a hasty retreat to another room to get away from the shrieking.

7:30
DD2 comes downstairs to make breakfast. The shrieking (Ruby)/bellowing (me) routine starts again. At some point DD2 will invariably sneak Ruby some form of treat.

Mid-morning
I make coffee. Ruby shrieks. I bellow but get her veg out of the fridge to warm up. Shrieking continues.

15 minutes later
I chop up fresh veg for all the animals. Ruby continues shrieking until she is finally fed.

Lunchtime
More activity in the kitchen, more shrieking and bellowing. I top up hay again in case she didn't like the first type.

Late afternoon
Children return from school. Ruby shrieks. The children ask why I haven't fed Ruby who is clearly starving. I bellow and the children ignore me and fuss over 'poor Ruby'.

Dinner time
More of the same really.

Late evening
DD1 pops down to say good night to Ruby before she goes to bed. I usually hear bags rustling and the sound of crunching. I have given up bellowing and possibly pour a glass of wine instead.

And so it goes....

@Swissgreys Hello - I see you're a staff member and wanted to just ask you about interbreeding, without creating a whole other thread. As I have now asked so many questions, it's a bit embarrassing!

So I am collecting a pair of 4 month old boars on Saturday. The rescue are absolutely brilliant and supportive and honest, and I know that these babies are a part of a massive rescue from a hoarder.

Anyway, they mentioned about the likelihood of them being inbred as they were just all in together. The boars are getting vet checked on Saturday before I collect them.

I just don't want them to die on us too soon! I know there's no real way to tell...

I assume many Guinea Pigs are inbred to some extent?