Help Needed

[zachdave]

I just discovered three baby guinea pigs in the cage with my two females! I adopted Fudge about two months ago from a family who only had one pig and where the wife had an allergy. I noticed that Fudge was gaining weight, but being naive and in denial, I thought it was normal weight gain after I took her in and gave her Oxbow food, kleenmama hay, and fresh veggies twice a day. I know that my other adult is a female. It is very clear to me that Fudge must have been pregnant when I adopted her two months ago.

My cage is a 2 x 3 C&C. I need some advice about the best way to cope with these 3 babies in a 2 x3 cage with a 1 x 2 loft. Right now they are all together. My questions:

1. I know babies are supposed to get Oxbow Cavy Performance, but I can't do that without having the adults eat it too. I think the better answer is just continue to feed Cavy Cuisine. Opinions?

2. I believe I read that babies can eat veggies immediately. Please confirm.

3. I can keep them together for 3 weeks without getting any females pregnant, right? Then I have to figure out their sex and separate any males. I'm thinking I will move any males to the 1x2 loft. Opinions?

4. I can't keep them so I will have to look for homes for them after 6-8 weeks. Is that long enough?

Anything else anyone can tell me I'd appreciate it!

[salana]

1. You can continue to feed Cuisine and supplement with alfalfa hay for extra protein and calcium (mom needs those too) or switch to Performance--your choice.

2. Yes. They will learn what to eat by watching mom and auntie.

3. Yes, males can live with mom for 3 weeks. Girls can of course live with mom for 10 years if you're lucky. I would build another cage for the boys. Hopefully there are at least 2 so they will have each other. (I was lucky that way.) There are some stacked "condos" in the gallery if you need inspiration. I would definitely upgrade to at least a 2x4 or 2x5 for the ladies, and another for the boys if you have more than one. If you only have one I would say a 2x3 is good until he grows up enough to be neutered.

4. Oh, I see you're looking to rehome. Yes, 6-8 weeks is long enough. If you have only one boy and you know someone who is looking for a friend for an older male, consider rehoming him at 3 weeks so he's not alone.

5. You must post pictures!

[GPluv]

I feel your pain!

I've been through the same thing. My "males" had 5 babies a little over a month ago. Are you totally in SHOCK like I was?

I agree with Salana about the cage upgrades.

I think you are right to continue feeding the Cavy Cuisine. The babies are getting lots of nutrients from their mom's milk. If you give them alfalfa hay that will be good for extra calcium.

I didn't start feeding my babies veggies and fruit till about a week ago when I noticed them stealing mommy's : ) You may want to wait until their Gastrointestinal tract develops more before feeding that. They may get diarrhea.

You can keep them together for 3 weeks and then definitely separate the males from the females when you find out the sexes.

And 6-8 weeks is long enough! Good Luck!