My Guinea Pig Just Had Babies?! Help!

[melissa98]

So I came home today, cut up a whole bunch of veges for my two girls, went to give it to them and I was about to give them some more hay, when I noticed that my older piggy Meadow was looking very protective of my younger one Apple. I thought it was kinda weird but I didn't think too much of it. I went to get their hay and when I came back, Meadow was on the other side of the cage munching on her veges and I could clearly see four little extra piggies huddling by Apple! They're definitely Apple's because they're all abyssinians, and Meadow is a rex. Meadow and Apple are both definitely girls, because I bought Meadow from a breeder, and she's given birth before, and, well, Apple just gave birth so she's obviously a girl. I didn't intend for this to happen!! I bought Apple from a pet store, but I don't I'll be buying from a pet store again...
Anyway, I gave them lots of hay, veges, water, and pellets... but now what?? I didn't plan on this so I don't really know what to do. Can I touch them yet? When can I sex them? I can't keep all of them so when is the ideal age to give them away (to good homes of course)? I know you have to separate the boys and girls at 3-4 weeks so they don't get their mother or sister pregnant. And I know they need alfalfa hay and lots of veges.
Apple seems to be doing a pretty good job, they all look quite healthy to me. Any help would be appreciated a lot!

[HannibalLecter]

This is one of the reasons to avoid pet stores & breeders. They are often sick, pregnant or come from horrible breeding mills which are supported by the purchase.
Make sure Meadow is a female, most breeders will try to get rid of their males first so they can continue breeding the females at a lesser overall cost. Some will lie to get rid of their "stock".

You can touch them & look them over. You need to sex & separate them at three weeks or slightly before. Males can reach sexual maturity at 3 weeks, females at 4. You can rehome them at that time.

You need to babyproof the cage, either by covering the grids, or overlapping them as their heads can get stuck in the holes which can be extremely dangerous.

Weigh the babies daily, if one of them has issues gaining weight, feeding Critical care either on a plate, or by syringe might be needed. As well as short alone time with the mother.
http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/pup_weights.html

They need either alfalfa pellets, afalfa hay (in addition to long strand grass hay) or a spring of parsley daily for their calcium needs.

[SamanthaT]

I'm really glad you posted this thread. I woke up this morning to a very skinny guinea pig and 5 adorable piggie pups!

[millsma]

Pigtures?!?! Both of you?

[melissa98]

I'll take some today and add them soon

[mommmyof2]

Good luck to the both of you with the babies. Hope mom is doing well too

[Pepperpiggie]

Awww! I bet they are so cute!

[PixieLottie]

Aww mine had 2 pups 2 days ago! same as my i didnt know mine was pregnant I thought she was fat until she started bleeding on me found out she was pregnant though and love the 2 babies at least they have been born into a loving home

Heres a pic of my cuties 2 days old today

[mommmyof2]

Aww mine had 2 pups 2 days ago! same as my i didnt know mine was pregnant I thought she was fat until she started bleeding on me found out she was pregnant though and love the 2 babies at least they have been born into a loving home

Heres a pic of my cuties 2 days old today

They are just adorable. Love their colors

[PixieLottie]

Thank you! the one is the double of her mom so i'm guessing the dad was ginger hehe
Heres there mom Pixie giving them a feed:

[mommmyof2]

awww cute. Looks like that's uncomfortable for mom.

[PixieLottie]

I know! she does it until they sleep, then goes and munches or has a lie down for a bit

[mommmyof2]

awww that's cute. I have a pregnant piggy that's due any day. Good luck with the babies and with mom

[PixieLottie]

Thank you!! gd luck with the birth! I was up all night worrying about my Piggy! make sure u update us with some pics when they arrive xx

[mommmyof2]

Thank you!! gd luck with the birth! I was up all night worrying about my Piggy! make sure u update us with some pics when they arrive xx

Aww thanks. I will post pics when they are born. I'm up most of the night worrying her and watching her for the past 3 nights. It's crazy

[cross]

congratulations on the babies

[PixieLottie]

Thank u! I know how u feel mine starting bleeding discharge about 8pm before she gave birth I rang the emergency vet and they said it doesnt seem an emergency yet just keep an eye on her breathing make sure it stays normal and she should give birth in the night they arrived about 7am I was so tired next day x

[mommmyof2]

Thank u! I know how u feel mine starting bleeding discharge about 8pm before she gave birth I rang the emergency vet and they said it doesnt seem an emergency yet just keep an eye on her breathing make sure it stays normal and she should give birth in the night they arrived about 7am I was so tired next day x

Awww. That's kind of scary to see her bleeding. Princess hasn't started bleeding or anything. I guess every pig is different just like us people. Glad everything went well.

[PixieLottie]

Thanks! Fingers crossed yours goes smoothly x

[mommmyof2]

Thank you. Keep us all updated on mo and her babies