Question on weaning

[cavysrcool]

Hi, a couple of months ago I was given a young female and she turned out to be pregnant. Well she had 2 females and 1 male, they are 3 weeks old today and I understand that I should separate the male now. My question is will he be alright on his own, I have no other male guineapigs to put him with. It is winter here and I am worried he will get cold on his own. Do you have any suggestions ? Thanks

 

[dagwellismypigy]

He'll be fine but he will really miss his mom and sisters, and will probably wheek to go back in with them. Don't listen to him, you don't want another pregnant pig. Though it will probably be heart breaking for you.

 

[NewGPMom]

Cavycool, I seperated our male from the litter a couple of days before they were three weeks. He did wheek alot to be back with the girls but he did fine on his own. He should have been eating regular food now for over two weeks therefore, he will thrive on his own.

 

[kat_0521]

Sometimes it helps to have a small stuffed animal in the cage with the boy. I had to go through the same thing you did, and yes, he will cry for his mom and sisters. And yes, more than likely, it will break your heart and you'll feel like a bad human. At least, that's what I went through when it happened. Make sure the stuffed animal doesn't have really long whiskers, or clothes, or other choking hazards. And put the stuffed animal in the cage with mom and the girls to pick up their scent. The male will then see the stuffed animal as a "comfort zone".
He'll be OK in about 5-7 days. This is a good opportunity for you to take him out (daily)and socialize with you, so he'll be people-friendly if you are re-homing.

 

[cavysrcool]

Thanks for your replies, I have separated him now and yes it is breaking my heart I have put a teddy in with him and he seems to like cuddling up to it. Should I put his cage close to the girls cage or separate him completely? At the moment I've got it so that he can still see them, but I'm wondering if this is making it harder for him?

 

[AmiableAnimals]

I would keep him as close to them as possible and give him as much attention as you can. I hope you will have him neutered when he is old enough so he can go back to living with them.

 

[alfieiheartu]

Keep lots of bedding and stuff in there so hes nice and warm.