Adding a 3rd piggy to the mix

[cara74]

I would first like to say thank you for all this great information. I have learned so much.
I got a pair of female piggys a few weeks ago. They are a mother/daughter pair. (I got them from a woman who couldn't keep them anymore) They were very much loved and taken very good care of. Anyway, I got another guinea pig yesterday. She is a baby, only 5 weeks old. (The vet said that she could be seperated from the mom when she went for her checkup). I understand that she needs to be seperated from the other guinea pigs for 3 weeks to make sure everyone is healthy. I've read about socializing them, but I'm afraid that they will hurt her since she is so little.

I guess my question is, was it a mistake to have gotten a 3rd. Is it going to be difficult to get the older girls (2 & 1 1/2) to accept the baby. Is it better to have an even number versus odd. I plan on doing tons of reading in the next 3 weeks, but I figured I would ask since I'm sure there are a few people that have gone through this and would love to hear how they introduced them.


They are all so darn cute I just couldn't help myself getting another one. My husband thinks I'm going crazy. :0)

Thanks again and sorry for the long post.

Once I figure out how to post pictures here I will post a picture of them.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

They will most likely accept her since she is so little. Just introduce on neutral territory and make sure the cage is clean. If you adopted her from a shelter or rescue, it is fine you got a third.

 

[AmiableAnimals]

Chances are things will go fine and she will bring out some "mothering" instincts in your older girls. Baby pigs can be weaned at the age of 3 weeks, but do need adult mentors to help them learn the ropes. Hopefully at 5 weeks of age, she has learned to use the water bottle and what types of food are good to eat. If you do decide you'd like to even out your numbers, though, we've plenty of piggies - females and neutered boys, here at Amiable Animals piggie rescue looking for great homes . . .

 

[cara74]

I got that baby from a women who's daughters guinea pig had babies. She's not a breeder, just someone who got a guinea pig from the pet store pregnant. (Another typical pet store story). The mother guinea pig had been to the vets (once after she broght her home from the store just to have her checked out to make sure that she was healthy and another time after she had the babies to check her out and the new babies) Everyone got a clean bill of health. The vet also told her to remove the boy guinea pig after 3 weeks so no one would have more babies. (she had 2 girls and 1 boy). She kept one of the babies to stay with the mother, a friend of theirs took the boy to keep her male company and I took the 3rd to be with my girls. (Hopefully they will like each other).

I can't wait for the quarantine to be over. I feel bad that the baby is all alone. She is drinking from the water bottle and eatting her pellets but isn't eatting the greens yet. (I have only tried Romaine I have red leaf that I will try tomorrow) She is eatting her hay, had a few nibbles of an apple and a few nibbles of a baby carrot. I know it's very important to get her to eat the greens so I will just keep on trying. I'm sure in time she will (It's only been 1 day). I suppose once she adjusts to everything she will ok.

The babies name is Dora (My 3 year old named her).

The other 2 are Bubbles and Princes (named by my son (4) and niece(7)).

Hopefully I will be able to post pictures tomorrow.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Her new roomies will teach her to eat the lettuces once she is out of quarantine and is introduced to them.

 

[Teria]

They are all so darn cute I just couldn't help myself getting another one. My husband thinks I'm crazy.

Hehee, welcome to the club. I started with two, now I have four and I'm thinking of getting a fifth. It's the guinea pig virus, and women fall much easier to it than men.

You can add a picture by uploading it from your pc. Click "Manage Attachments" in the "Advanced Reply" option to find out how.

 

[Denise]

For a while I thought that getting a third was a mistake, and now I feel bad for thinking that way. Though, we did have our share of introduction mishaps, so I guess you can't blame me for feeling that way! Good luck.

 

[Nellie]

How large are your accomodations for the piggies?


Just wondering... I'm tempted to add a third as well.

 

[Wheekwheek]

Yup yup, after 2 you just gotta have more. I have 5 right now, I think I'm stopping at 5 lol. Soon as my younger girl is better another 2x5 will go on order. Right now I have one 2x5 which is minimal but its only for another week or so and chocolatte is out of quarentine and much happier being with the other piggies.

Wheekwheek

 

[Eventrocker33]

Wow someone so close to me and has piggies, Cara74- I live in W. Bridgewater.

 

[cara74]

It's been a few weeks but I have put all 3 girls together and things are going well. The older girls (Princess and Bubbles) nip a little at Dora and chase her around a little, but all is well. For the most part they get along well

I have a 2x5 cage which I use fleece on and when there was only 2 girls I didn't notice it smelling so bad, but now that I have 3, pee you it stinks. I've even put in a few pottys which they use now and then (still working on potty training them). I'm really thinking about giving up on the fleece and switching over to KD pine. Of course that would mean getting some coroplast as I have them on a table with a plastic table cloth, newspapers, some puppy pads and then the fleece. I do spot clean at least 2-3 times a day. I think my nose is just sensitive as my husband doesn't notice the smell. (which I guess is a good thing).

Eventrocker33, what a small world. Your just a stone throw away. We will have to swap stories and find out where you get your supplies, what vet you use, etc.

 

[Nellie]

Cara, what a SWEET group of girlies you have!

Are you finding that the 2x5 cage is enough??

By the way, I do the coroplast and litter thing... it really is very easy. With all the layers and multiple cleaning jobs you're doing, you will thoroughly enjoy the switch! (And if you put newspaper under the litter, all you need to do is roll the whole thing up!!)

Also... on bedding advice: I place a layer of unscented Pine under a layer of Carefresh. The most effecient way for me to get all the litter is to send for it via Petco.com. They often offer deals like 10% off or free shipping, etc. It makes my life a bit easier!!