Guinea Pig age question

[sethmjh]

Hello Everyone,
My family just got 2 male guinea pigs from someone on Kijiji (similar to craigslist). Their ad said they were 2 months old. However I know for a fact they are older, they look full size to me (although I'm no expert). I obviously still took them in, because they are super cute (and i know they are less likely to be taken at a older age). But just wanted to know if there is any way of checking their age, or if anyone on here has any recommendations. There are a few reasons I'd like to know their age, (approximate birthday, lifespan) but the biggest is how hard it will be to tame them considering they were living in a very small cage for so long and were likely neglected. I'm getting a cvc? cpc? ( whatever its called) cage and will be setting it up for them tomorrow.

Thank you for your help

 

[Black piggies]

I'd love to know my piggy's proper birthdays too. I have no idea but they don't look full grown. I've had mine since Nov 2016 and they've just become tamer gradually over that whole time, so I don't think you'll have missed a taming window.

 

[sethmjh]

I'd love to know my piggy's proper birthdays too. I have no idea but they don't look full grown. I've had mine since Nov 2016 and they've just become tamer gradually over that whole time, so I don't think you'll have missed a taming window.

so if they aren't full-grown they are probably under a year which is great. Thank you for the taming info, I figured it would be more difficult to tame them if they were older. I have 2 boys (2 and 6 years old) so we will make sure to give them lots of attention.

 

[DMS260820]

so if they aren't full-grown they are probably under a year which is great. Thank you for the taming info, I figured it would be more difficult to tame them if they were older. I have 2 boys (2 and 6 years old) so we will make sure to give them lots of attention.

The claws can tell you if they are pretty young, they will be sharp and very straight. isn't massively accurate, but is a good indicator

 

[Black piggies]

so if they aren't full-grown they are probably under a year which is great. Thank you for the taming info, I figured it would be more difficult to tame them if they were older. I have 2 boys (2 and 6 years old) so we will make sure to give them lots of attention.

Being prey animals they like having hideys and taming at their pace, offer food and chat to them, pick them up in snuggle sacks rather than chase them etc. Not sure how long you've had them but good to give them a few days peace to get used to the noises and smells of a new environment. Lots of helpful guides for new owners on here. Look forward to seeing more photos!

 

[Siikibam]

They don’t look to be fully grown, but it’s hard to tell from the photos. Make sure they have plenty of hides, bottles, bowls etc. And you can also cover their cage so they feel safer. Let them settle in then you can start with handling and weighing etc. Have a read of the threads in the link below. And I would also double check their sex.
New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information

 

[Wiebke]

Hello Everyone,
My family just got 2 male guinea pigs from someone on Kijiji (similar to craigslist). Their ad said they were 2 months old. However I know for a fact they are older, they look full size to me (although I'm no expert). I obviously still took them in, because they are super cute (and i know they are less likely to be taken at a older age). But just wanted to know if there is any way of checking their age, or if anyone on here has any recommendations. There are a few reasons I'd like to know their age, (approximate birthday, lifespan) but the biggest is how hard it will be to tame them considering they were living in a very small cage for so long and were likely neglected. I'm getting a cvc? cpc? ( whatever its called) cage and will be setting it up for them tomorrow.

Thank you for your help

Hi!

What makes you think that they are older? Guinea pigs are born fully furred, with their eyes open and able to move around and nibble on hay within hours of being born; this so they can keep up with the herd on their twice daily migration to the feeding grounds.

Your two are still looking like sub-teenage youngsters to me. Birth weights can vary from about 40g-120g - that means that the largest babies can be three times the size of the smallest and that difference in weight and size will only get larger as they grow up.
Here is a video and picture diary of the first baby days, just to give you an impression of just how quickly babies develop: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/first-baby-days-a-video-and-picture-diary.162694/

Adult guinea pigs (over 15 months of age) weigh around 800-1400g.

 

[sethmjh]

Thank you all for the info. The reason I thought they were older is I went to a pet store and they had 2-month-old guinea pigs that were much much smaller and adult guinea pigs that seemed about the same size. I have already watched a tonne of videos on guinea pigs so I think I have ordered everything they need. Let me know if I'm missing anything though I ordered a C&C pen(cage), corrugated plastic, fleece blankets, nest style tunnel, 2 x log houses, and an extra water bottle (they only had one).

 

[sethmjh]

They don’t look to be fully grown, but it’s hard to tell from the photos. Make sure they have plenty of hides, bottles, bowls etc. And you can also cover their cage so they feel safer. Let them settle in then you can start with handling and weighing etc. Have a read of the threads in the link below. And I would also double check their sex.
New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information

I will upload some more photos later tonight so you can see them better, that photo was actually the photo the seller had on the Kijiji ad.

 

[Siikibam]

Have you got two bowls for pellets as well? And what size cage have you ordered? Boys need at least a 2x5. They’re more territorial and need more space to be able to get away from each other. A lack of space can be a nail in the coffin when it comes to their teenage months (4-14 months).

 

[Black piggies]

Thank you all for the info. The reason I thought they were older is I went to a pet store and they had 2-month-old guinea pigs that were much much smaller and adult guinea pigs that seemed about the same size. I have already watched a tonne of videos on guinea pigs so I think I have ordered everything they need. Let me know if I'm missing anything though I ordered a C&C pen(cage), corrugated plastic, fleece blankets, nest style tunnel, 2 x log houses, and an extra water bottle (they only had one).

Sounds fantastic. If you're using the fleece bedding then you can buy ready made cage liners with an absorbent core sewn in, or you can use fleece blankets over towels for absorbing wee and wicking it away from the fleece. You maybe know that :-)

 

[sethmjh]

Have you got two bowls for pellets as well? And what size cage have you ordered? Boys need at least a 2x5. They’re more territorial and need more space to be able to get away from each other. A lack of space can be a nail in the coffin when it comes to their teenage months (4-14 months).

I don't have 2 bowls for pellets, I read somewhere you don't need to feed pellets though (if you are feeding them timothy hay) is that true? I did get a 2 x 5 but I didn't even know that was the least they needed so I guess I got lucky.

 

[sethmjh]

Sounds fantastic. If you're using the fleece bedding then you can buy ready made cage liners with an absorbent core sewn in, or you can use fleece blankets over towels for absorbing wee and wicking it away from the fleece. You maybe know that :-)

I was just going to use towels, but I'm interested in getting the bed liners if they are more effective for smell, what do you think?

 

[sethmjh]

So here is the cage I got them in. They are growling(or whatever sound it’s called) at each other a lot and are fighting a bit. I assume itS because the small space and they only had one hidey. It was a plastic dome. So I got 2 boxes and made them there own. There was also a ramp to small upper level but the ramp took up so much space so I took it out and added a tunnel. I’m excited for the new cage to arrive tomorrow! Let me know what you think! I also have a question, I was feeding the little guys and the Abyssinian one nibbled on my hand after when I was letting them smell me. He didn’t bite just nibbled, is this normal?

 

[Siikibam]

Yes, that cage does look really small - possibly below the recommended minimum size for two piggies. By the time you put in hides etc, there’s not much room for running around. If possible I would give them a lot of floor time until the new cage is set up.

If they’re in their teenage months then there will be some rumbling. As long as one of them submits (squeaks loudly as if in pain) then they should be fine. I don’t think what they’re doing is fighting. If they do you know it. Also be aware that new territory also triggers dominant behaviour so just be aware. I’ll link a thread below for you to have a read through.

PS yes you can not feed pellets. Just make sure that they have a good supply of hay and that they’re also getting a variety of veg to cover the vitamins that they need Hay (and grass) are high in vitamin c, which they can’t produce themselves.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonds In Trouble
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[sethmjh]

Yes, that cage does look really small - possibly below the recommended minimum size for two piggies. By the time you put in hides etc, there’s not much room for running around. If possible I would give them a lot of floor time until the new cage is set up.

If they’re in their teenage months then there will be some rumbling. As long as one of them submits (squeaks loudly as if in pain) then they should be fine. I don’t think what they’re doing is fighting. If they do you know it. Also be aware that new territory also triggers dominant behaviour so just be aware. I’ll link a thread below for you to have a read through.

PS yes you can not feed pellets. Just make sure that they have a good supply of hay and that they’re also getting a variety of veg to cover the vitamins that they need Hay (and grass) are high in vitamin c, which they can’t produce themselves.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonds In Trouble
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Thank you for all of those links and the advice. I have read through a few of them and will continue but what I have noticed has popped up a few times so far is that they could fight more when I set up this new cage for them. Is this something I should be seriously worried about? Currently there is no lining in there cage since it’s so small (other then the wood chips. Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[sethmjh]

My last comment didn’t explain how the link said to put the same lining or cloth from the old cage into the new cage so it’s familiar. So since I don’t have that I was wondering how much of a concern a new cage in a new house would be. Especially since most of you seem to think they are “teenagers” which means more dominance displays then usual.

 

[Siikibam]

What you see isn’t fighting, it’s them sorting out the hierarchy. There can only be one top pig, although there are some cases (on here too) where the top pig isn’t as obvious as in other pairings. For example, with my boars it’s obvious.

You are correct in that teenage months will see an assertion of dominance, especially during the hormone spikes. What you can do is transfer some of the soiled bedding from the old cage to their new one. And I would also put in any hides you’re using there.

I wouldn’t worry unless you see something extreme. The lack of space may be making it worse so hopefully once they move they will improve. It can look a lot worse than it is, so try not to worry but just be aware.

Do they both rumble strut? Has there been any chasing? Who chases whom? And does one of them squeak in submission?

 

[Swissgreys]

I just wanted to add that you are doing a fantastic job with your new boys.
Their old cage was awful, and it is clear you are going to be a wonderful owner for them.
Even small things like replacing their single plastic hide with 2 boxes will make them much happier and their lives less stressful.
Welcome to the Forum - I hope you stick around and keep us updated on your lovely boys.

 

[Wiebke]

I don't have 2 bowls for pellets, I read somewhere you don't need to feed pellets though (if you are feeding them timothy hay) is that true? I did get a 2 x 5 but I didn't even know that was the least they needed so I guess I got lucky.

We recommend 1 tablespoon of pellets per piggy per day (as per UK welfare recommendations) but you can sprinkle feed.
You can find our diet with all the information in our very useful New Owners collection, which contains lots of information on housing, feeding, daily care, settling in and making friends with your piggies (including a spot of piggy whispering), understanding their behaviour, learning what is normal and not, spotting early signs of illness (including the most common problems that come with new piggies), weekly health and weight monitoring, important information on vet access and fees etc.
Here is our New Owners guide collection, which can be constantly updated, unlike a book and which is worth bookmarking and using a resource: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Here is the diet guide, which looks at all food groups in detail: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Black piggies]

I was just going to use towels, but I'm interested in getting the bed liners if they are more effective for smell, what do you think?

I've aways found the fleece cage liners with absorbent core easy to use. People have different preferences. Guess if you have any spare towels you could try fleece on towel to see if you like it.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Those 2 gorgeous boys have really landed on their paws with you.
Well done for giving them the chance of a great life.

I only have 1 out of 4 piggies whose age I know for sure, 1 I have a rough idea and 2 I have no idea at all.
The ones I don’t know I have just allocated them a birthday based on an approximate date.

Hope you find the forum both helpful and fun

 

[sethmjh]

Thanks again to everyone for all the info. I finished there new cage and they seem much happier. They are Popcorning and running around like crazy! Here is a picture of the setup (still waiting on some things from amazon.

 

[Siikibam]

Looks good. Is it possible for you to stretch it to a 2x5?

 

[sethmjh]

Looks good. Is it possible for you to stretch it to a 2x5?

yea, those white panels can be placed on the side instead of creating a canopy and i have a lot of extra corrugated plastic. I thought the kit I got came with 12 of the CPC pieces plus 4 of the white pieces but that wasn't the case.

 

[Siikibam]

I would make it a 2x5 then. Even more room for zoomies and popcorning.

 

[sethmjh]

I would make it a 2x5 then. Even more room for zoomies and popcorning.

Will do I was surprised how fast these little guys are! they are sprinting through the tunnels like lightning.