Bonding New Guinea Pig Coming Soon, Need Help

[GeorgiasZoo]

I currently have one adult male guinea pig named Snickers. I got him almost two months ago from a reptile expo (didn't want him to be snake food, he's just too cute). I know that piggies are social herd animals and do better in pairs, so i am planning on getting another pig from the reptile expo this weekend. I am worried that there will be no adult males for sale. If there isn't, is it possible for my boy Snickers to live with a baby guinea pig? Or should i buy the baby and keep them separate until the baby grows up? I would like to bond them as early as possible, but i could wait if necessary. And I'll be sure to buy a male to prevent unwanted babies.
My current care for Snickers is a 8.95 square foot cage, timothy hay, Oxbow pellets, and a salad with collard greens and celery (with the occasional bit of carrot or apple) every other day. The bedding in his cage is fleece with towels underneath and is cleaned once a week. Am i doing everything properly?

 

[Soecara]

He should be fine to live with a baby boy (just check to make sure it is a boy) if you introduce them properly (read http://guinea-pigs.livejournal.com/3002707.html). You really shouldn't be paying these people, it encourages what they are doing. Some people on these forums have had success rescuing a guinea pig from the same situation without handing over money by confronting the people selling them (particularly if the guinea pig in question is sick). Does the reptile expo have any terms and conditions when it comes to the sale of live food?

If you do happen to go to the expo and come back with a guinea pig then I strongly advise you adhere to three weeks quarantine in a separate room to your current boy, have a read of this http://www.guinealynx.info/quarantine.html

ETA: Is there any kind of rescue organisation or similar that you can contact who would be interested to know about the sale of guinea pigs and other animals as live food at this reptile expo?

 

[mufasa]

I'll echo the importance of quarantine if you buy a feeder piggy at an expo. Someone posted recently here who rescued two feeder pigs at a reptile expo (shamed the owner into giving them up as they looked sickly), and one died by the next day. Many of those breeders don't care about their animals; after all, it's just snake food to them. As to pairing your boar up with a baby, often an older male will take on an "uncle" sort of role with the little guy. Beware of puberty, though, as hormones might start some dominance displays.

By the way, Snickers is adorable.

 

[joys_cavies]

Hey you joined lol (its @petparlor from IG)

 

[joys_cavies]

And you should probably add green bell peppers to the salad for vitamin C. And veggies everyday (unless you meant the fruit every other day, then that's to much. Normal salad everyday fruit once - twice a week)

 

[GeorgiasZoo]

Thanks for all your help The guinea pigs they sell normally go to homes as pets but there are no rules saying they can't be snake food. I will definitely choose a boy that looks healthy, but still quarantine for 3 or 4 weeks first.
I'll add green bell peppers to his salad (which will now be given daily).