Clairabella
New Born Pup
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2020
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 4
- Points
- 70
Hi all,
We have two sows, Waffle and Boo, that are now 10 weeks. We brought them home at 8 weeks (two weeks ago) from a guinea pig breeder/farm. They seem to be settling in fairly well (given what I have read here. One is braver than the other but both seem happy to be held and cuddled by my daughter over the past week, feed from our hands, explore around us etc.). However, I'd be really grateful if you could help me out with a few things...
I am not particularly brave (in fact I'm quite nervous) and so have not felt completely relaxed around them as of yet. I've cuddled them both and it has been lovely but then I suddenly get anxious again and want to put them back into their hutch where we are all safe. I was bitten unexpectedly by a friend's dog a couple of years ago, and so I am certain that the anxiety stems from this (plus memories of a very aggressive hamster my sibling once owned could factor in because I never really thought about her again until now...). I know it is mostly irrational, considering that one actively comes up to see what is going on each morning when I clean their hutch, and loves to come near and have a sniff But, even then, I place my hand near her and get scared when she sniffs and sometimes I go to give her a little stroke before chickening out again . I am sure that they are braver than I am. Whereas, in contrast, my daughter has them snuggled with her or is holding and feeding them veggies at least once a day and is reassuring me!
I know that they still have more settling in to do yet and that this is a process for us all and it will take time. Reading through and realising how well they are doing though reassures me greatly. I also know that they have done nothing for me to feel this way and that it is just fine for us to slowly build the trust together.
Having said this however, my daughter mentions this morning, choosing her moment immediately before departing to her dad's for the week, that their privates appear to be different. I've just read a thread whereby someone mentioned 95 guineas in a house because of a case of wrong sexing and no separation and now I am very concerned. I know that I need to pick them up and take a peek myself but, honestly, I dread having to do this because I will, probably and deservedly, be bitten for being so nervous about it. If anyone could possibly offer me some tips as how best to go about this? We have a tube in their hutch that I can pick them up with (I do this to place them in the run), but in terms of then using my hands to lift and look what would be the best steps to take next?
I'm sorry, I know this sounds silly but I'd just rather be best prepared.
I realise now that I need to source some scales to weigh the girls with (I have tiny scales but I am certain these will be useless and stressful for the piggies) but I have noticed this afternoon that Boo (the more curious one) is a little larger than Waffle. This could be because she appears to be the more dominant of the two (and so likes to be in with the food first - I've now introduced two bowls and placed them apart). But, I have not noticed any mating calls or teeth chattering, and definitely no humps. If anything Waff looks to Boo for reassurance and Boo just looks for the food always, leaving Waff behind. They have only ever fallen out (which has never been more than a tiny squeaky tiff) due to Boo's dislike of sharing whatever food is dangling from her mouth, and Waffle definitely still gets to eat. So, I am not certain that a slight size difference can be attributed to a lack of, or inability to reach, food. Which is now ringing alarms moreso with my daughter dropping her observational bombshell earlier on today...
A different query that I have concerns itching. When the girls first came home, I noticed Boo scratching a few times - not relentlessly but here and there throughout the day. Waffle did not appear to scratch much. Boo also sneezed a couple of times. So, I changed the bedding in the hutch from woodshavings to wooden litter pellets. Boo doesn't appear to scratch nearly so much (so I am certain this helped her), but now they both occasionally scratch. I haven't noticed anything on their fur, but I am a little confused as to how much guineas should be expected to scratch as standard (I know that's like asking how often we are expected to scratch and so how do you even answer that) but if it was mites/lice would it be likely for them to itch persistently and with few breaks between episodes or scratching? Or can it present here and there throughout the day? Do you think that it is worth going back and mentioning this to the breeder? They told me to go back to them with any problems, rather than the vet, and they would sort it out for me.
Going back to the 95 guineas thread, I saw that it was mentioned (a few times ) that bedding should not clump. Therefore, I realise that I've probably made a mistake with the wooden pellets used under a layer of hay? I can't believe I did this when I'd read a whole other thread on bedding before purchasing, but somehow this information escaped me anyway. I change any soiled parts daily but I recognise that the broken down pellets do resemble a clump and so still wouldn't be suited regardless of scooping and replacing. What could I perhaps use as an alternative? I prefer the pellets in terms of less mess, so is there a similar alternative to these that could be used? If woodshavings are also irritating, I'd be reluctant to continue with those .
Additionally, and for peace of mind, is it about right that I used a large bag of woodshavings and a large bag if hay (both pets at home large sized) over the course of the first week, and then a massive bag of wood pellets and, again, a large bag of hay over the course of the second week? I don't really know whether this is to be expected or whether, instead, I am a little too enthusiastic with the daily spot checks? I know that they need a nice clean environment but should I worry a little less about sifting through for every single bit of poo? Or, is this about right?
I am so sorry for this HUGE essay. I have been sifting through and reading as much as I possibly can for the answers but I thought it'd just be best to join and ask directly anyway, so I know for certain that I am doing the best thing for the piggie wigs. Any help or advice would be so gratefully appreciated!
With thanks and best wishes,
Claire
We have two sows, Waffle and Boo, that are now 10 weeks. We brought them home at 8 weeks (two weeks ago) from a guinea pig breeder/farm. They seem to be settling in fairly well (given what I have read here. One is braver than the other but both seem happy to be held and cuddled by my daughter over the past week, feed from our hands, explore around us etc.). However, I'd be really grateful if you could help me out with a few things...
I am not particularly brave (in fact I'm quite nervous) and so have not felt completely relaxed around them as of yet. I've cuddled them both and it has been lovely but then I suddenly get anxious again and want to put them back into their hutch where we are all safe. I was bitten unexpectedly by a friend's dog a couple of years ago, and so I am certain that the anxiety stems from this (plus memories of a very aggressive hamster my sibling once owned could factor in because I never really thought about her again until now...). I know it is mostly irrational, considering that one actively comes up to see what is going on each morning when I clean their hutch, and loves to come near and have a sniff But, even then, I place my hand near her and get scared when she sniffs and sometimes I go to give her a little stroke before chickening out again . I am sure that they are braver than I am. Whereas, in contrast, my daughter has them snuggled with her or is holding and feeding them veggies at least once a day and is reassuring me!
I know that they still have more settling in to do yet and that this is a process for us all and it will take time. Reading through and realising how well they are doing though reassures me greatly. I also know that they have done nothing for me to feel this way and that it is just fine for us to slowly build the trust together.
Having said this however, my daughter mentions this morning, choosing her moment immediately before departing to her dad's for the week, that their privates appear to be different. I've just read a thread whereby someone mentioned 95 guineas in a house because of a case of wrong sexing and no separation and now I am very concerned. I know that I need to pick them up and take a peek myself but, honestly, I dread having to do this because I will, probably and deservedly, be bitten for being so nervous about it. If anyone could possibly offer me some tips as how best to go about this? We have a tube in their hutch that I can pick them up with (I do this to place them in the run), but in terms of then using my hands to lift and look what would be the best steps to take next?
I'm sorry, I know this sounds silly but I'd just rather be best prepared.
I realise now that I need to source some scales to weigh the girls with (I have tiny scales but I am certain these will be useless and stressful for the piggies) but I have noticed this afternoon that Boo (the more curious one) is a little larger than Waffle. This could be because she appears to be the more dominant of the two (and so likes to be in with the food first - I've now introduced two bowls and placed them apart). But, I have not noticed any mating calls or teeth chattering, and definitely no humps. If anything Waff looks to Boo for reassurance and Boo just looks for the food always, leaving Waff behind. They have only ever fallen out (which has never been more than a tiny squeaky tiff) due to Boo's dislike of sharing whatever food is dangling from her mouth, and Waffle definitely still gets to eat. So, I am not certain that a slight size difference can be attributed to a lack of, or inability to reach, food. Which is now ringing alarms moreso with my daughter dropping her observational bombshell earlier on today...
A different query that I have concerns itching. When the girls first came home, I noticed Boo scratching a few times - not relentlessly but here and there throughout the day. Waffle did not appear to scratch much. Boo also sneezed a couple of times. So, I changed the bedding in the hutch from woodshavings to wooden litter pellets. Boo doesn't appear to scratch nearly so much (so I am certain this helped her), but now they both occasionally scratch. I haven't noticed anything on their fur, but I am a little confused as to how much guineas should be expected to scratch as standard (I know that's like asking how often we are expected to scratch and so how do you even answer that) but if it was mites/lice would it be likely for them to itch persistently and with few breaks between episodes or scratching? Or can it present here and there throughout the day? Do you think that it is worth going back and mentioning this to the breeder? They told me to go back to them with any problems, rather than the vet, and they would sort it out for me.
Going back to the 95 guineas thread, I saw that it was mentioned (a few times ) that bedding should not clump. Therefore, I realise that I've probably made a mistake with the wooden pellets used under a layer of hay? I can't believe I did this when I'd read a whole other thread on bedding before purchasing, but somehow this information escaped me anyway. I change any soiled parts daily but I recognise that the broken down pellets do resemble a clump and so still wouldn't be suited regardless of scooping and replacing. What could I perhaps use as an alternative? I prefer the pellets in terms of less mess, so is there a similar alternative to these that could be used? If woodshavings are also irritating, I'd be reluctant to continue with those .
Additionally, and for peace of mind, is it about right that I used a large bag of woodshavings and a large bag if hay (both pets at home large sized) over the course of the first week, and then a massive bag of wood pellets and, again, a large bag of hay over the course of the second week? I don't really know whether this is to be expected or whether, instead, I am a little too enthusiastic with the daily spot checks? I know that they need a nice clean environment but should I worry a little less about sifting through for every single bit of poo? Or, is this about right?
I am so sorry for this HUGE essay. I have been sifting through and reading as much as I possibly can for the answers but I thought it'd just be best to join and ask directly anyway, so I know for certain that I am doing the best thing for the piggie wigs. Any help or advice would be so gratefully appreciated!
With thanks and best wishes,
Claire