Don't Know Whether To Be Worried About Breeder?

[Teddy-Boys]

Hi this has been bothering me for some time now & I had just dismissed it as me being over sensitive but I wanted to get some 2nd opinions.

I bought my 2 boys from a hobby breeder I found online, I went to view them & I've never seen so many guinea pigs in my life! They were stacked about 3 cages high and probably 8 cages wide - the squeaking in there was deafening. I was shocked by this but as I've only ever had 2 guinea pigs I assumed this was the natural set up for a breeder? I could see carrots in some of the cages so the pigs were getting fresh food.

Anyway 1 of my boys had a bald patch when I bought him (see pic attached) which the breeder just assured me was a normal bite. This has healed completely fine but I do wonder how he got this in the 1st place & if this is normal for a young pig?

I've had them for a while now and the 1 still freezes whilst being held & the other wriggles non stop, which makes me wonder if they were ever handled before I bought them. So tp cut a long story short, I'm slightly concerned it could have been an unsafe set up for all those pigs.

However I don't know if I'm overreacting? I'm based in the U.K & not sure how to report an anonymous concern about animal welfare, plus I'd hate to wrongly accuse anyone.

Sorry for such a long post, just feeling a bit unsure & would appreciate any opinions

 

[VickiA]

Hi there.
As the forum is anti-breeding and pro rescue we don't have any information as to recommended set ups or standards for breeders. There is no obligation to be registered or inspected. Any person can set up as a breeder. If you have concerns about the welfare of the animals generally you could perhaps contact your local authority's animals officer or the RSPCA.
As for the injury your piggy had at the time of collection, that is a matter of concern. No pet shop should have been able to sell an injured or unwell piggy and no reputable rescue would have knowingly handed over an unwell or injured piggy to a new owner. That looks like a large bald patch for a simple bite. A patch that size could possibly be attributable to a bite that had become infected or to a biting injury by the piggy itself due to mites irritation or a fungal infection.
If your piggies do not like being handled I would be concerned that they may be in some discomfort from a skin condition. Have you had them vet checked to be sure?

 

[sport_billy]

Hello

Bald patches are not normal but could be caused by many issues.. Mites, fungal infection or possibly a fight as they said. It's all cleared up okay has it? If it has without treatment then a fight/bite would be the most likely cause.

Unfortunately there are no governing bodies for breeders You have good breeders and bad breeders. There are many out there with excellent welfare conditions but unfortunately also some who aren't it is often pot luck unless you get recommendations. As a site we are pro rescue so don't have any recommended breeders.

It doesn't sound like they would have had much handling but that is not uncommon,

Animal welfare issues in the UK are handled by the RSCPA.

 

[Teddy-Boys]

The fur did grow back pretty quickly on that patch once I got him home & now you'd never know he had that bald bit. But obviously it concerns me as I to how he lost that much fur in the 1st place. They both caught hay mites at about 5 months so they had a full vets check up for then to treat this & also be weighed etc.

It's only since I've read info about hoarders that's made me think having so many Guinea pigs in 1 shed perhaps isn't normal, but I'd hate to report anyone without good reason. That's what I'm not sure what to do

 

[flowerfairy]

Tbh I cant imagine the RSPCA doing anything if they all have shelter, food and water. It is sad to say that things have to be pretty awful for them to take action. Not their fault but there are so many cases to deal with that they tend to prioritise the worst ones.

It may be worth reporting your concerns about the breeder to the local council.

 

[sport_billy]

The fur did grow back pretty quickly on that patch once I got him home & now you'd never know he had that bald bit. But obviously it concerns me as I to how he lost that much fur in the 1st place. They both caught hay mites at about 5 months so they had a full vets check up for then to treat this & also be weighed etc.

It's only since I've read info about hoarders that's made me think having so many Guinea pigs in 1 shed perhaps isn't normal, but I'd hate to report anyone without good reason. That's what I'm not sure what to do

Breeders do pack them in to be honest.

 

[Tigermoth]

When I was first looking into getting piggies I was recommended a local guy who shows and breeds and as a consequence has a glut that just don't make the grade. I pictured half a dozen or something. When I spoke to him it turned out he had 200! I was uneasy about using him anyway and that for me was the final straw. But not hoarded, just lots in two large sheds.