Guinea Pig Weight

[Louise's Zoo]

So I weighed my girls today for the first time. Just wanted to know if you think these weights are OK as I've not idea what is normal. Thanks.

Eileen will be 6 weeks old tomorrow and was the runt of the litter. Apparently, she was so small and skinny they thought she wouldn't survive the day but, she proved them wrong! She weighs 236g

Eva is Eileen's mum and had a litter of 3, 6 weeks ago. She is now 751g

Edna had a litter of 6! around 10 weeks ago and is a 924g. I was a little worried she may be pregnant again as she is quite pear shaped but it does feel like loose baby weight from her last large litter and I can't feel any babies but I am now going to keep a check on her weight.

So, do they all sound ok?

 

[Wiebke]

So I weighed my girls today for the first time. Just wanted to know if you think these weights are OK as I've not idea what is normal. Thanks.

Eileen will be 6 weeks old tomorrow and was the runt of the litter. Apparently, she was so small and skinny they thought she wouldn't survive the day but, she proved them wrong! She weighs 236g

Eva is Eileen's mum and had a litter of 3, 6 weeks ago. She is now 751g

Edna had a litter of 6! around 10 weeks ago and is a 924g. I was a little worried she may be pregnant again as she is quite pear shaped but it does feel like loose baby weight from her last large litter and I can't feel any babies but I am now going to keep a check on her weight.

So, do they all sound ok?

Yes, considering that Eileen has just scraped through, they are all doing fine. Edna will never regain her trim figure, I am afraid...

As long as they are all either keeping their weight (in Edna's case) or keep growing, you need not worry. Stick to a normal good diet and they will realise their optimal genetically determined weight/size ratio in their own time. Eileen is very likely going to always be a dinky piggy, but as long as she is healthy and lively, that is how she is. Do not be tempted to overfeed - opt for health and fitness instead. That is far more important for longevity!
Guinea pigs reach adulthood only with 15 months, but keep the ability to make up lost ground until they reach their second birthday.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet

@pig in the city has experience with raising runts as she fosters for a rescue.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

I'm no expert but it sounds good. My Bella was the runt of her litter and she's topped out at 850 odd grams and I doubt she'll get any heavier than that. She's a lean, mean, cage destroying machine!

 

[Louise's Zoo]

Yes, considering that Eileen has just scraped through, they are all doing fine. Edna will never regain her trim figure, I am afraid...

As long as they are all either keeping their weight (in Edna's case) or keep growing, you need not worry. Stick to a normal good diet and they will realise their optimal genetically determined weight/size ratio in their own time. Eileen is very likely going to always be a dinky piggy, but as long as she is healthy and lively, that is how she is. Do not be tempted to overfeed - opt for health and fitness instead. That is far more important for longevity!
Guinea pigs reach adulthood only with 15 months, but keep the ability to make up lost ground until they reach their second birthday.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet

@pig in the city has experience with raising runts as she fosters for a rescue.

They were all on muesli so I've switched them over to pellets (Burgess Excel with mint) and I've been using the guides on here for what fruit and veg to give them all, plus they have unlimited hay. I missed the guide about weighing so I'll go have a read of that now.

I don't mind Edna being a smooshy lump. It just makes her more cuddly

Eileen is eating really well so I'm happy about that. She's so happy and vocal. She popcorns around the cage and squeaks and runs. The 2 adults are quieter. They rumble a lot and seem to be happiest when eating!

Out of interest, Is there a way to tell when the girls are in season?

 

[Wiebke]

They were all on muesli so I've switched them over to pellets (Burgess Excel with mint) and I've been using the guides on here for what fruit and veg to give them all, plus they have unlimited hay. I missed the guide about weighing so I'll go have a read of that now.

I don't mind Edna being a smooshy lump. It just makes her more cuddly

Eileen is eating really well so I'm happy about that. She's so happy and vocal. She popcorns around the cage and squeaks and runs. The 2 adults are quieter. They rumble a lot and seem to be happiest when eating!

Out of interest, Is there a way to tell when the girls are in season?

We have got lots of guides at the top of our various Care sections. You are welcome to browse (including our Caring for an ill piggy section); you may find a lot of it helpful and interesting!

This is our sow behaviour guide; it also deals with behaviours during a season. Not all seasons are strong enough for you to notice; but occasionally sows can have stronger seasons. Piggies up to around 4-6 months old are the loudest and most vocal because they are most vulnerable during this time. After that, they quieten down a lot.
Sow Behaviour

 

[Louise's Zoo]

We have got lots of guides at the top of our various Care sections. You are welcome to browse (including our Caring for an ill piggy section); you may find a lot of it helpful and interesting!

This is our sow behaviour guide; it also deals with behaviours during a season. Not all seasons are strong enough for you to notice; but occasionally sows can have stronger seasons. Piggies up to around 4-6 months old are the loudest and most vocal because they are most vulnerable during this time. After that, they quieten down a lot.
Sow Behaviour

Well I'm pretty certain Edna, the dominant girl in the group, is in season as the last 24 hours she is constantly rumblestrutting at Eva and has also tried to mount her a few times. She is also quite grumpy with me and did nip me yesterday, which could be hormones or just that she is still new and settling in.

 

[Wiebke]

Well I'm pretty certain Edna, the dominant girl in the group, is in season as the last 24 hours she is constantly rumblestrutting at Eva and has also tried to mount her a few times. She is also quite grumpy with me and did nip me yesterday, which could be hormones or just that she is still new and settling in.

Sounds like she is in season!

 

[Louise's Zoo]

I weighed Eileen again today and she is now 320g, that's an increase of 84g in 8 days.

Does this sound ok? She can't have been gaining that much each week at her previous home or she wouldn't have been so small at 6 weeks. I'm not overfeeding. Just loads of hay, some good quality pellets and daily veg (as you will have seen in my photos).

 

[Wiebke]

I weighed Eileen again today and she is now 320g, that's an increase of 84g in 8 days.

Does this sound ok? She can't have been gaining that much each week at her previous home or she wouldn't have been so small at 6 weeks. I'm not overfeeding. Just loads of hay, some good quality pellets and daily veg (as you will have seen in my photos).

Eileen has obviously lots of ground to make up and is doing so with your good care! Just keep her on a good general diet, and she will do her own thing.

 

[Louise's Zoo]

Thought I'd post the girls new weights and just ask your opinion as to whether this still looks ok? I haven't been doing them exactly weekly, apart from Eva. Eileen and Edna have slowed down now, Eva obviously hasn't!

Eileen
11/6/17 236g
21/6/17 320g
Today 368g

Edna
11/6/17 924g
22/6/17 1034g
Today 1078g

Eva
11/6/17 751g
22/6/17 902g
27/6/17 969g
Today 990g

 

[Wiebke]

Thought I'd post the girls new weights and just ask your opinion as to whether this still looks ok? I haven't been doing them exactly weekly, apart from Eva. Eileen and Edna have slowed down now, Eva obviously hasn't!

[you]Eileen[/you]
11/6/17 236g
21/6/17 320g
Today 368g

[you]Edna[/you]
11/6/17 924g
22/6/17 1034g
Today 1078g

[you]Eva [/you]
11/6/17 751g
22/6/17 902g
27/6/17 969g
Today 990g

Yes, it looks normal to me.