Getting new babies today and I'm a newbie!!!

[my3kids]

Questions, questions! Hi everyone. So glad I found this wonderful site!!!! I'm getting 2 piggies today (from a littler of 3). My first question is.....should I worry about getting two of the same sex? If I got a m/f from the same litter, wouldn't that be bad if they mated? If I got 2 males, will they get along as they mature? Same question if I get 2 females? I do not care in the least what sex the babies are that I get, I just don't want to mix two that shouldn't be mixed. I do not know what the sexes are of the litter yet, that's why I'm not sure what I'll be getting.....I just know I would like two. The last question I have is about a litter box in the cage. What is the best thing to use for litter? Not cat litter I assume??? Thanks for any and all tips. I'm so excited!

 

[Emily F.]

I recommend getting a pair of males, or a pair of females. If you got a male and female, you would have to get the male neutered. So i wouldn't suggest getting a male and female. It's great that your getting two pigs. And for litter, some people recommend Carefresh. But that is expensive. I use kiln-dried pine, and it works great. I think you just have to try different beddings. Good luck with your pigs!

Emily

 

[ChadWPB]

Aspen shavings also work well as bedding.

May I direct you to Guinea Lynx's Care Guide? It has a lot of useful information on getting started in piggie slavedom.

https://guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html

If you have any further questions, one of us will be happy to answer them.

I agree with Emily. Get a same-sex pair so no surgery is needed. Males can work just as well as females.

 

[my3kids]

Thanks so much for the info. I will definitely get 2 of the same sex so I don't have to have one neutered. I'm kind of frustrated not knowing exactly how to take care of these little sweeties. This site is helping a bunch! I want them to be as comfy as possible. I'm also looking at everything I can to build a cage for them. Looks like I'm headed to Home Depot. Thanks for your tips! I'll send pics of them when I can.

 

[Michellec]

Personally, I vote for two girls. The possible smell and impacation issues of boy pigs turns me off. But, I know many of you are very happy with boys. Hope I didn't offend anyone.

M

 

[my3kids]

What about impaction in the boys? I don't know about this...........

 

[Michellec]

Here ya go!

https://guinealynx.info/impaction.html

 

[Katie]

The possible smell and impacation issues of boy pigs turns me off.

I have had many male pigs in my home and I have never smelled a difference between the two unless the male was close to a female. I have also only had one male with impaction.

 

[Michellec]

Yes, my comment was a huge generalization. But, simply the fear of it is enough for me to stick to girls.

M

 

[Katie]

simply the fear of it

But there's really nothing to fear...

 

[DocDolittle]

Really, Michellac, you only have to clean out their sacs with a q-tip(VERY gently), it's not much to fear. I help my neighbors with it all the time.

 

[Michellec]

Hey, my 3rd baby is finally out of diapers, so I'm officially done cleaning poop from butts!! ;-)

M

 

[CavySpirit]

Well, it's my opinion that dealing with possible ovarian/hormone problems with females is worse than dealing with possible impaction problems with males.

Don't make a decision based on sex alone. And I don't like people to throw up the possible impaction issue with males. It NEEDLESSLY scares people away from males. Please stop it.

 

[Michellec]

Okay, CavySpirit, we each have our own opinion. I thank you for sharing yours. Now, what if I came back and said to you, "Please stop bringing up possible ovarian/hormone problems in female pigs." ? That wouldn't be right. I apologize if my post scared anyone away from male pigs. But, some people might not want to handle that particular type of male issue, and then there might be another set of pigs abandoned to your rescue facility.

In my eyes, we've had a dialogue here and sharing of opinions and ideas. Many onwers refuted my concerns about impaction and that's great! And, I'm glad you brought up the possible issues with females. Helping cavy owners to be well informed is one of the goals of this forum, isn't it?

It's wonderful that we can openly share our views here. Thank you for all of your thoughts and tips on pig raising. You've been very helpful!

M

 

[my3kids]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Very helpful. Today, I'm a little disappointed, but completely understanding.........I went to pick up my little piggies last night and the manager who is "in charge" of adopting them out told me that he was mistaken about their age. The mama was brought in On Dec. 15, and the babies were born on Jan.15 (she initially thought the babies were born on Dec.15). They are too young to seperate from their mom. Let's see...that makes them only 18 days old!!! I was SO surprised to hear that. They look and act so independent, but I would NEVER EVER take a baby away from it's mom too soon. So, can you tell me what is an okay age to adopt them? Now, an alternative is that I take all four (the mom, and all 3 babies)........but then I would have to have multiple cages for m/f and I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. However, I HAVE considered it. It appears that there are 2 males and 1 female (baby) and of course another female (mom). They are SOOOOO adorable.

 

[DaCourt]

I'm sorry if this comes off weird, but when you say the MANAGER in charge of adoptions...what do you mean? WHere are you adopting them from?

Also, remember, that boars going through puberty together can be rough. I was always told that it is best to pair a young boar with one that is around a year old.

Michellac...remember, CavySpirit is the administrator of this board so her comments should be considered carefully.

 

[DaCourt]

Michellec...I received your email. I tried to respond back using the mailer but received a message that you opted to not receive emails that way. I do not want to send one to you using my actual email address so I will generically respond here.

This forum, was set up my a person who rehomes many pigs, through long hours of dedication. There are many people on this forum who are still learning. Mentioning impaction the way you did, may scare off people who could have given a boar a wonderful home.

Also, what I have learned, if you don't like what someone says, or how they say it to you, then just don't read their posts. Ignore the tone. Remember, everyone here is here for one reason. Their pigs. There are those, like the moderator, who have more experience and knowledge that I will ever have. I too have been admonished. Sometimes, I realize they were right, and sometimes, I still felt they were wrong. But, I did take the time to read what they said, and considered it. However, I will tell you, if someone makes a post that is giving wrong or dangerous info, or if they are a breeder, most of the people on this board will have something to say about it. Me included. Sometimes I am nice. Sometimes I am not.

 

[phantac]

Thats okay Michellac, I agree with you. I would prefer 2 girls over 2 boys for the same reason. Thats my perogative. Its the same with a dog, I preferred a female over a male because I found females less troublesome. They did their business outside much faster and neater. Male dogs also had the impacting of their anal glands. I had to take my dog to the vet every few months to have them released. Even though my dog was neutered he still liked to hump people every now and then. I opted to get a female dog the next time around and it was much easier. Thats my experience.

 

[Michellec]

Sorry, about the e-mail confusion, DaCourt, I'll fix that in my profile.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

M

 

[my3kids]

DaCourt - I went to the PetCo down the street from me to get my dog food, etc. and I started talking to the manager about my hamster woes and he asked me if I had ever considered Guinea Pigs. He told me that a lady had brought in a pregnant GP in December (the lady didn't want the preg.GP or the upcoming babies.....so sad). The manager told me that they could not sell the piggys (against store policy since they were not from one of their wholesalers). Consequently, they had to just hopefully find a home for them and give them away. They keep them in the back (not on the store floor where people can see them). He went back and got them for me to see........and I fell in love. Since this particular manager was the one that accepted the pregnant GP, he has taken the responsibility to find homes for the babies (and the mom). That's the story. I feel like I want them ALL!!!!! I hate the thought of seperating them.