Babies

**Guinea_Pig** · #1 09-04-06, 07:58 am

In late June I bought two guinea pigs from a pet shop, they said they were both sows. So, yesterday, I come back from my trip finding a note from our petsitter that we have now have 3 baby guinea pigs. They were born about 2 weeks ago. I have no clue what I should do.
Can you help?
Thanks

**pamziaw** · #2 09-04-06, 08:56 am

First and most important thing, SEPARATE THE PARENTS. The reason being as sows can get pregnant again only a few hours after labour. Secondly, baby proof your cage as with our c&c cages they can squeeze between the bars. This is one of the reasons we don't recommend buying from pet stores as the animals are often ill or pregnant. I would also have all pigs checked out by a vet.

**Guinea_Pig** · #3 09-04-06, 09:15 am

I dont know the gender of the parents.
I doubt they can squeeze throught the bars, as they are a good 6 inches from the bedding.
I now know that I shouldnt buy them from a pet shop. Also I am calling the vet tommorow.
Thanks

**VoodooJoint** · #4 09-04-06, 09:29 am

Glad you are getting them to the vet. What Petstore did you buy these "girls" from.

**Guinea_Pig** · #5 09-04-06, 10:14 am

A small local pet store near me.
Also I dont know how or where I would put the Dad.
I think I know which one is the dad and the mom.
How should I act towards the babies?
Thanks

**Guinea_Pig** · #6 09-04-06, 10:45 am

Can I pick up the babies?

**fourbwabbys** · #7 09-04-06, 10:49 am

Yep, you can pick up the babies. Do you know exactly what day they were born? Males need to be seperated from mom and any other females at 3 weeks (21 days) or he can get them pregnant. The mom is most likely pregnant again since the dad was left in there. Seperate the dad now so she doesnt back breed again.

**Guinea_Pig** · #8 09-04-06, 11:31 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourbwabbys

Yep, you can pick up the babies. Do you know exactly what day they were born? Males need to be seperated from mom and any other females at 3 weeks (21 days) or he can get them pregnant. The mom is most likely pregnant again since the dad was left in there. Seperate the dad now so she doesnt back breed again.

Where should I put the dad? I have no other cage for him. Aug. 20-Aug.22 they were born. I am not 100% certain which one is the mom or the dad.

**Guinea_Pig** · #9 09-04-06, 11:32 am

Is there anything I should do with or for the babies?

**fourbwabbys** · #10 09-04-06, 11:36 am

You need to learn how to sex them yourself. See http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm You will also need to be able to sex the babies next week. You should also be able to feel the babies in mom soon, since she's 99.9% probably pregnant from back breeding. Make another C&C cage for dad and any male babies. The babies are fine now, they should all be eating solid foods by now.

**Guinea_Pig** · #11 09-04-06, 11:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourbwabbys

You need to learn how to sex them yourself. See http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm You will also need to be able to sex the babies next week. You should also be able to feel the babies in mom soon, since she's 99.9% probably pregnant from back breeding. Make another C&C cage for dad and any male babies. The babies are fine now, they should all be eating solid foods by now.

Bit of a problem, I dont have space for another cage. I looked into the room as they run off as soon as I enter and saw just the Mom and Dad eating, not the babies.

**fourbwabbys** · #12 09-04-06, 11:43 am

You can make a make-shift cage until you can make a permanent one. Try making a two level C&C cage, the boys on top, the girls on the bottom. For now, what I did when we figured out Trixie was a boy, we put him in a huge cardboard box with food, water, hay and a hidey house. You can also make him a floor time area for himslef until you can get the cage done. Try taking out the babies and mom and put some veggies in front of them. They should try to copy mom and eat the veggies.

**Guinea_Pig** · #13 09-04-06, 11:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourbwabbys

You can make a make-shift cage until you can make a permanent one. Try making a two level C&C cage, the boys on top, the girls on the bottom. For now, what I did when we figured out Trixie was a boy, we put him in a huge cardboard box with food, water, hay and a hidey house. You can also make him a floor time area for himslef until you can get the cage done. Try taking out the babies and mom and put some veggies in front of them. They should try to copy mom and eat the veggies.

I sexed the babies, but I cannot sex the parents. As when I pushed down it feels like the girl baby. My mom is making me get rid of the boys, as we have no room for any more guinea pigs.

**fourbwabbys** · #14 09-04-06, 11:51 am

It should be easier on the parents. You should be able to seperate the folds and pop out a penis on the dad.

**Guinea_Pig** · #15 09-04-06, 11:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourbwabbys

It should be easier on the parents. You should be able to seperate the folds and pop out a penis on the dad.

I will try again. Also, on the website, the males look like the 3 week old baby. Should I be concerned?

**fourbwabbys** · #16 09-04-06, 11:55 am

Nope, if they're not 3 weeks yet, you're still fine. If you know for sure some of the babies are males, you will need to seperate them at 3 weeks.

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