emeraldislets
New Born Pup
Hi, would love the thoughts of experienced guinea-owners! We got what we were told were two sisters a couple of weeks ago (they were apparently 6 weeks old so would be 9 weeks old now) but we noticed that one was completely different to the other and a proper rumble-strutter and decided to double check to be sure - and lo, it turns out that Willow is more Willy or Bob..and we actually have a brother and sister!
We aren't keen on having babies but have no idea if she could be pregnant already - have seen no suspicious behaviour but have read that boars can be ready to mate at a young age and should be separated from females early on.. So today we decided to build them new separate C&C cages and put them in their own cage and see whether they could live happily side by side instead.. Buttercup was mostly fine (probably enjoyed her rumble-strutting free space!) - Willow/Bob was really upset, trying to dig out/biting bars/squealing for her/getting himself in a real state. Hating to see him so distressed, we eventually reunited them and decided to work on a Plan B (or at least let them get used their new cage before trying again - they were in an indoor hutch before today).
Has anyone else had experience of separating a bonded pair? Would getting each a new cage buddy (female for Buttercup, male for WillowBob) be a good idea.. or would they fight and then we'd be left with another two guinea pigs who couldn't live together?!
Or would neutering be a better plan? But he's still small - and I guess she could get pregnant in the time we wait for him to be ready for neutering.. Or just retry the separation until there is less distress?!
Would love any advice, thanks in advance!
We aren't keen on having babies but have no idea if she could be pregnant already - have seen no suspicious behaviour but have read that boars can be ready to mate at a young age and should be separated from females early on.. So today we decided to build them new separate C&C cages and put them in their own cage and see whether they could live happily side by side instead.. Buttercup was mostly fine (probably enjoyed her rumble-strutting free space!) - Willow/Bob was really upset, trying to dig out/biting bars/squealing for her/getting himself in a real state. Hating to see him so distressed, we eventually reunited them and decided to work on a Plan B (or at least let them get used their new cage before trying again - they were in an indoor hutch before today).
Has anyone else had experience of separating a bonded pair? Would getting each a new cage buddy (female for Buttercup, male for WillowBob) be a good idea.. or would they fight and then we'd be left with another two guinea pigs who couldn't live together?!
Or would neutering be a better plan? But he's still small - and I guess she could get pregnant in the time we wait for him to be ready for neutering.. Or just retry the separation until there is less distress?!
Would love any advice, thanks in advance!