They are here!

[Betsy]

I give mine a weekly check and weigh. I don't weigh out the pellets I just give all 5 of them a 2-3 small handfuls a day put in two food bowls. I don't weigh veg either. I just give them a bowl that is 11cms wide x 20cms long x 7cms high of mixed veggies per night spread around the hutch so that they have to find it that seems to be the right amount as there is nothing left in the morning.

 

[emellertid]

I give mine a weekly check and weigh. I don't weigh out the pellets I just give all 5 of them a 2-3 small handfuls a day put in two food bowls. I don't weigh veg either. I just give them a bowl that is 11cms wide x 20cms long x 7cms high of mixed veggies per night spread around the hutch so that they have to find it that seems to be the right amount as there is nothing left in the morning.

OK, then I can probably leave them alone for another few days before they need a check.

I’ve been weighing the veg because I’m not sure how much a cup is, but I read that 30-50 g per piggie per day is a good rule of thumb. 30 g is about 10% of the girls’ body weight. I’m not sure how much Uffe weighs, but a little too much.

 

[VickiA]

What beautiful piggies and what a fabulous set up. They are extremely lucky to have made their way into such a loving home. I’m sure the girls will soon settle. It just takes time to overcome their prey instincts.

 

[Merab]

Those are such beautiful piggies.
You sound as if you’re doing everything right so far.
When it comes to nail clipping I take mine to the vet where our lovely nurse does it for me. I’m too much of a wimp to do it myself.
It’s also useful in that she gives them a weigh and quick check so they have a constant record of the girls’ health.

 

[emellertid]

What beautiful piggies and what a fabulous set up. They are extremely lucky to have made their way into such a loving home. I’m sure the girls will soon settle. It just takes time to overcome their prey instincts.

Thank you so much! I really hope they’ll be happy here. One of the girls, Nina, already seems a little less skittish - she doesn’t like being snuck up on, but if I hum or talk a little when I’m around the cage, she sticks around (especially if there’s food). Little Julia is taking her time.

 

[emellertid]

Those are such beautiful piggies.
You sound as if you’re doing everything right so far.
When it comes to nail clipping I take mine to the vet where our lovely nurse does it for me. I’m too much of a wimp to do it myself.
It’s also useful in that she gives them a weigh and quick check so they have a constant record of the girls’ health.

Thank you!
Yeah, when their previous owner did it, it looked really easy - not so much when I tried, I was so nervous. I think I’ll learn, but if I can’t manage, I’ll take them to the vet’s as well.

 

[BlueBird]

Thank you!
Yeah, when their previous owner did it, it looked really easy - not so much when I tried, I was so nervous. I think I’ll learn, but if I can’t manage, I’ll take them to the vet’s as well.

Well my vet has said that you only need to cut their nails when the dig into their feet or they can't walk. When they are babies they have nice straight paws And toes but as they get older their toes do tend to twist to one side. I think it's basically their walking habits and the fact that their feet are way too small for their bodies. So it's when they start to get gnarly feet that you need to start worrying about cutting them as that's when their nails don't get worn down properly as they walk.

The best technique I've found is holding them with their back against your tummy and their back legs on a table or something. You can use the thumb on your supporting hand round their chest to keep their front paws in place while your other hand clips. I also find that a lot of lettuce helps to distract them while I'm clipping. They're a lot less wriggly when they are distracted with food.

 

[emellertid]

The best technique I've found is holding them with their back against your tummy and their back legs on a table or something. You can use the thumb on your supporting hand round their chest to keep their front paws in place while your other hand clips. I also find that a lot of lettuce helps to distract them while I'm clipping. They're a lot less wriggly when they are distracted with food.

Thank you! This is great advice! So far, they won’t take food from my hand, but maybe in time.

 

[emellertid]

Instead of a trail of treats on the ramp, I left some cilantro and arugula in a small bowl up on the loft overnight, and this morning it was gone. So apparently it’s being used, just not when humans are watching.

 

[emellertid]

I also did a quick cage clean this morning (it’s 9am here), just changed the big fleece liners on the bottom of the cage and checked that everything was dry underneath. (The pee pads and litter box are changed daily.) They seemed a little alarmed, but went back to breakfast as soon as I was done. Man, those double fleece liners with whatever magical absorbent stuff there is in the middle are efficient! They went three days on the first ones (in summer warmth) and there was only slight odor this morning. Keeping their home clean and fresh is (so far) much easier than I had anticipated.

I’ve found poop smears from Uffe in the houses, though. Wondering if I should check his bum. He looks clean, but I don’t know how much you can tell from just watching him walk around. I read that boars sometimes need help with their butts. Are smears normal? There’s no blood.

 

[emellertid]

Julia (the mostly black little fluff ball) was brave enough to stick around outside the house for a moment while I chatted to the piggies. That’s a first!

 

[Merab]

She’s so pretty.
It’s lovely when you realise they are feeling safer and braver.

 

[emellertid]

She’s so pretty.
It’s lovely when you realise they are feeling safer and braver.

Thank you! And yes! Especially this one, she’s been so shy these first few days.

 

[emellertid]

It’s day five and all three piggies came out of their hidey to have a look and chat for a bit when I did some spot cleaning tonight. I think we’re becoming friends!

 

[DMS260820]

Here’s Uffe hiding out:

View attachment 93191

The girls get nervous when I approach them, so I don’t yet.

Thats one neat house with the rack on the side. Whoever designed it needs a pat on the back

 

[emellertid]

Thats one neat house with the rack on the side. Whoever designed it needs a pat on the back

Yes, I like it! All I know is that it’s German. Pat on the back for Germany!

 

[DMS260820]

Julia (the mostly black little fluff ball) was brave enough to stick around outside the house for a moment while I chatted to the piggies. That’s a first!

View attachment 93312

The black pig is tiny! How old is julia?

 

[Tiamolly123]

Awwww what cute piggies, seems ages since my were that small.

 

[emellertid]

The black pig is tiny! How old is julia?

She is! She will be 6 weeks tomorrow.

 

[emellertid]

Awwww what cute piggies, seems ages since my were that small.

When people come around they’re actually surprised that baby piggies are bigger than they thought. Guinea pigs are not very common pets where I live, so many expect them to be the size of hamsters. When I was preparing for them to move in, people would ask ”when the hamsters are coming” all the time.

 

[emellertid]

I’ve found poop smears from Uffe in the houses, though. Wondering if I should check his bum. He looks clean, but I don’t know how much you can tell from just watching him walk around. I read that boars sometimes need help with their butts.

This feels a little wrong, but here’s a picture of his butt:



Is that a normal boy bum? Or one that needs attention in some way?

 

[emellertid]

First lap time happened earlier than I had planned. My kids’ dad came by yesterday and he’s not really a pet person, but he loved the pigs. So as soon as I was done explaining to him that they are not to be touched yet, he picked Uffe up when I was looking away. And then Julia. (It happened so quickly and quietly, he can’t have chased them around, so I was surprised, because I can’t get too close to them with my hands yet, and I’m the food person!)

It went well, though! They seemed a little tense at first, but no panicking or biting or teeth chattering. They got some basil to munch on and I took the opportunity to check nails and weights and the boar butt.




Uffe’s rear end will need a bath, there was some dried up stuff close to his belly that I couldn’t get off with a babywipe, but I didn’t want to stress him out with that yesterday, so I’ll do it as soon as possible. Any tips on what to absolutely do (and absolutely not do) are welcome! I have some ”Kind ’n’ Gentle” shampoo from Gorgeous Guineas in the UK, I’m hoping that’ll do the trick.

 

[Betsy]

When I give Betsy a bum bath I wrap her body and head up in a towel so only her bum is exposed. This seems to calm her and stop her from struggling so much. It may not work with Uffe as all piggies are different.

 

[emellertid]

When I give Betsy a bum bath I wrap her body and head up in a towel so only her bum is exposed. This seems to calm her and stop her from struggling so much. It may not work with Uffe as all piggies are different.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[emellertid]

@Betsy Thank you again for the tip! Uffe clearly didn’t like the butt bath, it was the first time he’s tried to bite me (not very agressively, but he was tugging at my shirt, apparently to signal that he wasn’t feeling safe), but your towel technique calmed him down so much! So that was really helpful.