Four piggies have arrived, just saying hello!

[NellieNooNoo]

I haven't been on here for a long time as I said I wouldn't have piggies again but I was asked to take four bonded sows in as they were being neglected.

Just trying to remember what to do with them!

They are on megazorb with hay, guinea pig nuggets and just picked some dandelions, which I will top up with cabbage, pepper and carrot later.

Should they be grazing all day?

Is there anything I've forgotten?

Thanks

 

[bubble&squeak4ever]

Hi there!
Well done you for taking them in! We'd love to see pictures rolleyes ! Hehe! Sounds like your doing everything great so far! Guinea pigs need hay 24/7 to keep their guts moving If you have a look through our sticky's you'll find loads of information! This is also a great website: http://www.guinealynx.info/

 

[LittleEskimo]

Aw yes pigtures please

Sounds like what you are doing so far is good. Remember not too many sugary veg like carrots too often. And constant hay for grazing

Hope they settle in well

 

[NellieNooNoo]

Will snort out pictures but letting them settle in first;-)

So have read cabbage is okay and not okay? Getting confused, can I give them cabbage?

 

[sport_billy]

Welcome back to the world of piggies!

Feed unlimited hay, pellets morning and evening in a small amount and fresh veggies the amount of around one cup per piggie split for breakfast and evening.
Here is a link to the shopping list which tells you food they can and can't eat http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?42-Guinea-Pig-Shopping-List also here is a link to another sticky which halfway through gives you an idea on the frequencies to feed certain foods http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...sphorus-Ratios-Explained-Diet-Advice-included

Cabbage is fine just not in big amounts and everyday as it is gasy and can upset tummies

 

[Wiebke]

Please be careful not leave piggies outside in cold and damp weather and to protect them during major temperature jumps and heat waves. Guinea pigs are adapted to a stable climate without extremes.

You can feed cabbages like sweetheart/pointed, spring greens, kale, green and savoy as part of a mix of veg about 3 times a week. The same goes for broccoli and cauliflower, especially cauli leaves. Never feed a lot at once, that can cause bloat in some piggies with a tender digestion.

Things you should not feed everyday, but can feed 2-3 times a week (just rotate between them): all brassicas; carrot and lettuce (because of their vitamin A content); tomato, all fruits and melons; sweetcorn. Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, mint, basil, fennel (1 sprig per piggy).

Things you can feed daily: cucumber, chunks of celery, 1 slice of pepper, 1 sprig of fresh coriander/cilantro.

80% of the daily food intake should be hay in order to keep the guts well balanced and the crucial back teeth ground down. 10% fresh veg and 10% pellets. Fresh water with no additives (they drink less and it will only promote the growth of algae).

If you are dealing with piggies that have grown up on a very limited diet, please introduce fresh veg gradually. If they have not had access to grass, do so slowly, as too much fresh rich spring grass can cause diarrhea or even bloat.

Sport_billy has already given you the relevant links.

 

[Dusty_bugs]

even when you are in a good routine its easy to forget how flexible the diet is and to keep it varied!