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Halley & Phoebe's Thread

LightSeeker

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Hi!

Just wanted to introduce myself.
I am a stay at home wife, turn 29 Saturday. We currently have 2 cats, and going to be adding 2 guinea pigs to the family :) (my cats have already been around small animals before and are just fine)

I do plan on building a C&C cage. Have just a couple questions.

Is a 2x4 C&C enough for 2 piggies? I will do bigger if space allows, but I know at a min I can do that (I also plan to try and do a little nook area on top for feed)

Also, I plan to use fleece for bedding. But if I can't get a hold of uhaul pads, what else could be used for absorbing under the fleece?

Also any tips would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance :D
 

FailedFoster

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Hello LightSeeker, and welcome!

2x4 may be big enough if you're getting sows. However, two boars need at least 2x5, if not more.

For the nook, most pigs prefer their food on the same level. In my experience, pigs love running around on a single level more than going up and down levels. Just to save you some time and effort. :)

I've heard of people using puppy pads instead of uhaul pads, but uhaul pads are way more absorbent, so I'd stick with those if you're able.

Good luck! It sounds like you're already off to a fantastic start. :) Feel free to ask us any other questions you may have!
 

bpatters

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Wood pellets work wonderfully well under fleece. They're the cheapest, most absorbent bedding you can buy. Besides that, they're the absolute best at odor control, and only have to be changed every six months or so.
 

LightSeeker

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Thank you!

Alright! I'll keep it one level if it's better, anything I can do to make it better for them I'm game :)

My plan IS to get sows, but you know, sometimes plans change in that area haha.

If I can get the pads I definitely will. It just may be hard to find, don't really have a uhaul near us. I don't really want to order offline if I can avoid it (to impatient to wait lol) As it is, I have to wait a couple months to put back to be able to get everything.

Thanks for the tip on the wood pellets! I'll keep that in mind as well.
 

LightSeeker

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Well plans changed haha.

Actually getting my GP tomorrow :)
Found these girls who needed a home. They are about 7 months old.
When I get them home and set up I'll make a separate post for them 20180223_142308.jpg
 

LightSeeker

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Ok I will! Thanks! I'll probably request the title change afterwards when I decided on names. Should I send a PM for it or just post here?

Thank you for the links! I'll be sure to check them out.
 

bpatters

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Either way, doesn't matter.
 

LightSeeker

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Alright, thanks :)
 

LightSeeker

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Re: Hello from TX :)

They are home and cage is almost completely put together. Was able to do a 2x5 so the girls have lots of room :)
Still gotta finish last half of lid, but they are in now and settling great!
Just from the little time handling them. Between putting them into the carrier and then to the cage, they handle great! Easy to get and pick up. Both seem to love to snuggle :) Now to figure out names! I am open to any suggestions :D

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LightSeeker

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Thank you! I love their coloring too :)

I have no idea where the chair came from, all their stuff came with them. Only thing I had to buy today was their hay.

I looked it up for you though :)
It's this chair here --> (broken link removed)

The one in it, she absolutely loves that chair. She's constantly in it haha.
 

LightSeeker

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Re: Hello from TX :)

in that link it's sold out, just noticed that.

But here is one that isn't sold out yet (broken link removed) :)
 

LightSeeker

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Re: Hello from TX :)

Names! The ginger and white girl is named Halley and the ginger and black patch girl is Phoebe :)
both names I got from looking up planets/moons and comet names.
[MENTION=13820]bpatters[/MENTION] could you please rename the thread to Halley & Phoebe

Thank you!
 

Guinea Pig Papa

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Congratulations on your new furever girls, and welcome to the forum family!

They are very cute, the one in the chair looks like the queen on her throne!
 

LightSeeker

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Thank you!

Haha! Yes! Phoebe loves the chair! It seems to be her favorite spot to chill :D
 

LightSeeker

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So we broke down the girls cage and move it to our room. We did this because I couldn't really access them to give pets and interact and such very well with the lid we had made. We had the lid in the first place cause of our 2 cats.
I wasn't totally sure I'd be able to make their 2x5 cage in the room, but we made it work so they still habe their space :) i will take a new picture of it in the morning.

Also, is the 2x5 big enough for 3 piggies?
Halley and Phoebe are pretty nervous girls. They wont even take yummy fresh veggies/fruits from us or even eat them in the cage. Anytime any of us walk by or make sudden moves. It freaks them out and they run and go hide (even in the middle of esting or using the litter box. They stop and go hide)
I was thinking maybe adding a 3rd piggy that was more confident could possibly help them become more confident as well.
Could adding a 3rd work? I just want my girls to be more confidnet/comfortable and not be so afraid.
 

LightSeeker

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Ooo also found out Phoebe loves her chin scratched :D
And they ate their first veggies/fruits today too. A little cilantro, strawberries and cherry tomatoes. They also had dried sweet potato sticks :p
 

bpatters

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A 2x6 would really be better for three pigs.

Don't go overboard on the fruit -- guinea pigs weren't designed to process sugar. And dried sweet things, such as sweet potato, are really concentrated in sugar.

The cats may not be as much of a problem as you think. Kittens usually try to play with guinea pigs, and guinea pig pups can trigger any cat's prey drive. But adult cats and adult pigs can coexist pretty peaceably. Our cat hops in the cage occasionally for a nap, but doesn't bother the pigs at all. But if you do decide to let them visit, do watch them very carefully over a period of weeks to make sure your cats are ok with the arrangement.
 

LightSeeker

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I only gave them a strawberry each, they were small ones too. I know to only give them it rarely.
I didnt know about the dried sweet potato. Ill be sure to give it to them every once in awhile.

One of our cats isnt all that interested. He is curious but doesnt really care (he is probably about 10 yrs ) my younger cat(she will be 4 in a couple months) wont hurt them either (shes played eith rats and rabbits without issue) she has even been in the piggies cage. She just gets so interested and tries to be so close to see them it makes them run and hide which makes her go and get close again. If it wasnt for that id leave it.

I really dont have any room rather it be in our room or back out where it was before to make a 2x6. Would if work if maybe i add a second level? Like maybe a 1x2 on each end and a 1x1 path way across the back?
 
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LightSeeker

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Their updated cage after moving it. (don't mind the messes lol wasn't able to vacuum it up, very bad back this morning. Hubby will get it when he gets off work tonight)

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