Weight gain

[slendermella]

Is it normal for two sibling sows to gain weight at different rates? One of my girls weighed in at 489 grams on March 25th and today she weighed in at 526 grams (gain of 37 grams). Her sister weighed in at 478 grams on March 25th and today she weighed in at 565 grams (gain of 87 grams). Is this pretty normal? I see them eat all the time and can confirm that one is not a food hog over the other. They both look healthy with shiny coats and bright eyes. The heavier one does look heavier, but nothing insane. It's probably normal, but it just surprised me!

 

[PiggieWigglies]

Did you get them from a petstore? Some pigs are bigger/smaller and some are plump-er/skinnier. If they are under 6 months they will gain weight a lot. My pig went from 2.6lbs to 2.8-9lbs in a week! My pigs normally gain 1 ounce a month for me but his gain was rapid.

 

[slendermella]

Yes, they were purchased at a pet store. Okay, I figured it could be normal, just seemed like a big difference!

 

[Starthecavy123]

You really shouldn't buy from pet stores. But thats a new piggy owner mistake. Pets stores dont really know what their doing. And only view their animals as products. And will sell sick or miss sexed pigs to.

 

[maddy harper]

its amazing how fast they grow isnt it.

 

[slendermella]

Yes, I have been schooled by people on this forum already about pet stores. I just didn't want to keep repeating that I didn't know better...unfortunately can't turn back the hands of time and I love my piggies regardless of their atrocious source. As I said, they seem healthy and happy, just have one sister growing more quickly than the other I guess, lol!

 

[Rywen]

I'm just curious, is it possible the one who gained more weight is pregnant?

 

[slendermella]

Definitely. I mean, I only say that because of the fact that she came from a pet store. I know for certain that I have no males, but can't account for what went on prior to her coming home with me.

 

[slendermella]

She isn't even that big but has continued to gain. She was 589 last night and 610 today. I had her on my chest and I swear I not only felt kicks but I saw movement in her tummy. It's like a pup rolled because her stomach slowly pushed out in that manner. I didn't think she could possibly be this far IF she was pregnant because she just isn't huge like so many if the photos I have seen. I'm kind of in shock.

 

[Rywen]

I think you can start to see the pups move at 6 weeks. It sounds like you might be a piggie grandparent soon.

 

[PiggieWigglies]

I wasnt wondering if you bought from a petstore to scold you lol I was thinking like Rywen that one might be pregnant. That is a very rapid weight gain, but its in grams and I weigh pigs in lbs/oz. IMO she's pregnant.

 

[slendermella]

I wasnt wondering if you bought from a petstore to scold you lol I was thinking like Rywen that one might be pregnant. That is a very rapid weight gain, but its in grams and I weigh pigs in lbs/oz. IMO she's pregnant.

She was only 559g on Sunday! It's like she has just started to put weight on like it's going out of style. That said, like I said, she really isn't that big at all (compared to the photos I have seen).

 

[slendermella]

This was taken April 7th. She is the one with the white belt


This was taken tonight:


It's interesting cuz at one angle, she looks really quite big and at another angle, she looks much smaller. I mean, that makes sense, but it's one of the biggest reason I kept thinking "no...she isn't pregnant, just pudgy." Guess not, eh?

 

[Princess_Piggie]

That sticky-out bit on her stomach certainly looks pregnant-ish! Keep weighing her daily, and obviously if you start seeing movement and hearing the pups teeth gnashing, you've got your answer lol

 

[lunarminx]

That sticky-out bit on her stomach certainly looks pregnant-ish! Keep weighing her daily, and obviously if you start seeing movement and hearing the pups teeth gnashing, you've got your answer lol

LOL...I am so glad you couldn't hear human babies while they are in your belly.

 

[slendermella]

Oh I saw pups moving lol. One side of her tummy rolled like a baby was turning over. Definitely felt kicking as well. If that was gas, she has MAJOR problems! There is no doubt in my mind at this point, not after what happened last night.

 

[PiggieWigglies]

Keep us posted! Try not to handle her and research as much as you can Post pictures of the babies (and momma pig too lol) I hope all goes well!

 

[slendermella]

Just a quick update...turns out BOTH sisters are pregnant :/ I saw pups moving in Mia's tummy this morning and she is gaining quickly all of a sudden as well. It should be an interesting next couple of weeks...fingers crossed both my girls do well with the births.

 

[PiggieWigglies]

Just remeber to babyproof and since the two mommas are under 6 months, give all the piggies parlsey and make sure they get vitamin C. Boys should be seperated at 3 weeks. Let us know how it goes!

 

[foggycreekcavy]

How old were they when you bought them? Most pet stores sell them at around 4 weeks of age, and that's the earliest they can conceive. Count out 70 days from the day you got them (the last possible day they could have been with a male). Usually it's not until the past couple of weeks of the gestation period that they really start gaining.

Guinea pigs gain weight at various rates. Even pigs from the same litter may look totally different as far as weight gain. Here's a weight gain chart that has examples of the weight gain in female guinea pigs--
http://www.guinealynx.info/photos/female_weights.jpg