Zero to Eight in 2 Weeks

[Raene]

I'm not new to guinea pigs, but after my last one died I took a few years off. I just got one a few weeks ago, felt badly about not getting two, went back two days later and got the sister. A few days later I went on CL and fell for a sob story and ended up with five more. Meanwhile I had two already in mind. One of my friends took one of the dominant pigs from the group of five to be her class pet, and that pig has never been happier! There were 3 dominants in the cage of 5 (one dominant mama and her two dominant babies) so I don't think the five together was ideal.

Anyway, here I am with 2 short haired, 5 Abyssinian, and a Teddy. All girls.

So far I have the 4 pigs that came together in one cage and the two older babies in one cage, and the two very young babies in yet another cage. I'd like to combine the older babies (approximately 3 months old) with the new babies (6 weeks) at some point, but I'm not sure when would be good to do this as the babies are quite small. Also wondering how long they need to be in separate rooms to "quarantine" them, or if this is necessary at all. I had thought when I first got them that I would eventually try to combine all eight, but I don't think that will actually happen. It seems pretty intense to attempt that. Thoughts appreciated.

I love my girls. I work from home so they get lots of attention and care.

 

[bpatters]

If you've got the four adults already together, and if you've got room for a huge cage, I'd at least try putting them all together. The babies are young enough that the adults should accept them pretty easily, and the younger they are, the easier the introductions go. If it doesn't work, you can go ahead and put the babies all together and have two cages.

See http://guinea-pigs.livejournal.com/3002707.html on how to introduce pigs.

 

[Raene]

If you've got the four adults already together, and if you've got room for a huge cage, I'd at least try putting them all together. The babies are young enough that the adults should accept them pretty easily, and the younger they are, the easier the introductions go. If it doesn't work, you can go ahead and put the babies all together and have two cages.

See http://guinea-pigs.livejournal.com/3002707.html on how to introduce pigs.

Thank you!! And do you feel that 2x10 is big enough for the 8 pigs, or no? I have plenty of grids. Just need to adjust coroplast.

 

[bpatters]

It should be large enough. A 2x6 is recommended for four pigs, with an additional grid length for each additional pig.

 

[lisa325]

Wow!! Must be a case of guinea pigs are like potato chips.
Welcome! and the best of luck integrating them. Please post pics when they're all together in their new digs.

 

[rotto77]

Hello and Welcome to the forums.