Chirp query

[RedHerring25]

Hi, new to the forum and new to pig owning. Below is a link to a video of my boys. Would anyone be able to tell me what kind of chirps these are? I'd hate to be stressing them out. Thanks in advance

 

[Wiebke]

They are a little apprehensive, but they are not stressed out. Young piggies are the most vocal and some are more dramatic than others. Generally the higher, faster and louder the more emotionally agitated a piggy is as a rule of thumb, whether that is excitement or worry. Really frightened piggies will be screaming their heads off or are silent and unresponsive (what many new owners mistake for 'docile'). Your boy is just fine and perfectly normal for that stage.

 

[RedHerring25]

Thanks very much for your reply. That's good to hear. They seem to get more vocal when they've been out the cage for a few minutes. Also when filling their food bowl. I'm assuming that's normal?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks very much for your reply. That's good to hear. They seem to get more vocal when they've been out the cage for a few minutes. Also when filling their food bowl. I'm assuming that's normal?

Yes, guinea pigs stay in contact with their chuntering when they are out and about. It serves as a constant status update in the grasslands they have evolved in. Young guinea pigs are loudest during the time they are most vulnerable to accidents and predation.

You may find our New Owners guide collection very helpful in learning more about guinea pigs; what is normal and what not and what they are as a species (you can read up the latter in our fact guide). You should find it as interesting as it is helpful! We do not have audio guides because a lot of guinea pig communication is situational and you always have to take the context as well as body language into account. Several wheeks with different meanings sound very similar to us, but not to guinea pigs!
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Tim]

Sounds like they get excited when there is food, just like our boys!

Welcome to the forum by the way

 

[Flutterby]

Beautiful piggies, welcome to the forum!