Should I handle Cookie's babies?

[Skinny Piggie]

I've been wondering about this for a bit. Cookie is tamer from when I got her, but she still is very shy and she runs away quite a bit. I'm not sure- I've heard guinea pig moms will eat their babies if someone picks them up. Someone also told me that their guinea pig had a litter and she touched one and the mother ate it. I want to be careful, I don't want to kill a piggy! @)

 

[sophiew (EAGPR)]

As long as the sow isn't unduly stressed by it, it's fine to handle babies - they do not eat their babies like some other animals do, e.g rabbits. I have always handled babies here, initially to check them over when they arrive and then pretty much daily! If the sow is ok with you doing so.

Just to pre-warn -they can be VERY quick!

Sophie
x

 

[Wiebke]

If mummy is very nervous, the best time to give them a check would be when mummy is busy eating away from them.