branches for gunieas.

[skyeginger]

do the maple branches for guniea pigs have to be peeled of the bark, or do they have to be dried, or can we just break a branch off the tree?

 

[Swissgreys]

You can just offer a small part of the branch. No need to remove the bark or dry it first (although I do dry branches to feed over Winter).
Make sure it is clean, comes from a safe tree (not near a busy road or in a public park) and feed a very small amount to start with.
Don't be disappointed if they aren't keen on it though.
Many piggies simply don't chew things like branches that much.

 

[Grand Guinea Pigs]

You can feed them dried or fresh Maple leaves, but that's all i know, sorry.

 

[Piggies&buns]

You can feed them dried or fresh Maple leaves, but that's all i know, sorry.

I don’t think it is as clear cut as that - I can find sources, including on this site, which say maple leaves are toxic, but some are saying they are fine. The safest thing here is to not feed maple leaves as there doesn’t appear to be a definitive answer

 

[YvonneBlue]

My piggies love fresh twigs from my uncle's apple tree. They are having them fresh at the moment but I am drying some for the winter.

 

[Grand Guinea Pigs]

''I don’t think it is as clear cut as that - I can find sources, including on this site, which say maple leaves are toxic, but some are saying they are fine. The safest thing here is to not feed maple leaves as there doesn’t appear to be a definitive answer''
hello Piggies&buns, we have been feeding our guinea pigs Maple leaves for 6 years and our guinea pig seems absolutely healthy, happy and active as ever and he hasn't gotten sick yet, so i think it's fine to feed your piggies/piggie Maple leaves but it's up to you.

 

[artcasper]

My piggies love fresh twigs from my uncle's apple tree. They are having them fresh at the moment but I am drying some for the winter.

My neighbour has an apple tree.... I might ask for a few twigs and see what the piggies think....