How much?

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Chief Guinea Pig

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I've read the back of the burgess excel tasty nuggets- how much to feed, and it says a weight, then the amount to feed! But there is no set amount for each piggie weight, and I have these food scoops- so I was thinking, can I just keep the bowl topped up? Will it over feed them if I add a bit more than I should?
 
The amounts given on the bags are intented for a very low veg diet, so you need to adjust them. You also need to take into consideration that guinea pigs don't need the same volume during their whole life. Too many pellets are one the main reason for over weight in guinea pigs, which can be an increased risk in an operation.

I would give unlimited pellets to fast growing youngsters, but rather than just topping up the bowl, rather feed in several portions throughout the day and check the bowl in between. Youngsters can pee and poo in the bowl, and it can cause an unpleasant mess at the bottom.

Once the weekly growth rate is slowing down at a few months old (the time differs quite a bit), you can then start to reduce the amount very gradually until your piggies are fully mature adults from about 12-15 month sold. By that time, they need about half to one handful (10-20g). You up the amount when a piggy has been ill and lost weight or during cold winter times when the overnight room temperature falls and give less when your piggies are eating plenty of rich, fresh grass.
 
Sounds silly, but I put a plastic shot glass in with the pellets and just feed one 'shot' between two bowls at a time. Usually fill it up twice a day.
 
I would give unlimited pellets to fast growing youngsters, but rather than just topping up the bowl, rather feed in several portions throughout the day and check the bowl in between. Youngsters can pee and poo in the bowl, and it can cause an unpleasant mess at the bottom.

Not just youngsters who pee and poo in the bowl. My 2 year old and 18month old do it and there is just a soggy mess at the bottom when it is time to feed them again.

I feed my two, a small handful of burgess and a small handful of harringtons spread across two bowls. It barely covers the bottom of the bowl but they still leave a fair amount, these two love their hay best though!
 
The amount of food I give my guinea pig was to level the top of the bowl! He eats until he's full!
 
I used to weigh my food but I worked it out to be an egg cup per pig so I use that as a guide. However I now have some younger growing girls so I'm feeding them more my older ones are getting fat though as result so may have to cut down slightly
 
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