I need all the advice i can get

[MPG]

about raising pups and pregnant sows. Its possible i have a sow coming to me who is having her 2nd (possibly 3rd) back to back litter :0

Id like to know about diet, handling, and what the most common problems are during and after birth with both the mother and the pups plus anything else i might need to know or any extra supplies i need. It needs to be in simple form and a list of Dos and Donts would be good too.

I did have a book and used to be pretty up on it, but i gave it away to someone who needed it more than i did and since having a lot of involvement with the bunnies, ive forgotten what i learned about piggies!

 

[HairlessWillow7]

The pregnant piggy will need a lot of veggie's and more vitamin c. Do not feed parsley since that can cause her to have the babies prematurely. Hope this helps!

 

[MPG]

The pregnant piggy will need a lot of veggie's and more vitamin c. Do not feed parsley since that can cause her to have the babies prematurely. Hope this helps!

Thanks for that Mine currently get about a large cup of veg per day, how much should i be feeding mummy pig? is alfalfa hay ok to feed when pregnant? I know its good for babies, but is it essential? They will be having alfalfa based pellets anyway as ive just changed to SS (i cant get hold of oxbow and i dont trust excel anymore)

 

[HairlessWillow7]

A large cup of veggie's sounds fine. Alfalfa hay is really good for pregnant piggies and the babies since it has a bit of calcium in it. I don't think it's essential, but it's good to have.

 

[MPG]

I'm worried about the stress of being seperated and then travelling. one pig will be going an hour and the other half an hour. Is it safe to handle the baby pigs straight away? Is thre anything i shouldnt do with the mother?

My piggies are just starting to go back out into the run on the grass, will it be safe for mum and babies to do the same?

 

[Abi_nurse]

Just need to feed them theyre usually amount of food, as said, alfafa is good because its high in calcium and great for growing pups bones. Its important not to overfeed as it can cause babies to become v large especially if there are a small amount in the litter. Make sure she also gets plenty of vitmain C too.

You need to be aware that having a back to back pregnancy will increase the risk of stillborns. As shes had babies before she shouldnt have any trouble passing them.

It is fine to handle the babies straight away, the mums wont attack them if they smell like your hands. Try and weigh pups daily to make sure they are putting on weight nicely. they may lose a few grams int he first day of two as they are getting going. I left it a week before putting the babies out on the grass with mum. Just make sure the pups dont have too much grass as it could upset there tummy's if they scoff too much. But its good to give them some. Just slowly introduce them to the fresh veg, they usually do really well.

Sorry not much I can help with, but i tried. lol. Good luck with it all. Poor piggie.

x

 

[HairlessWillow7]

I've had to handle mine straight away. After giving birth, some of the babies were still in their amniotic sacs and the mother wasn't doing anything about it! I had to tear them out so they could breathe! One of them started breathing immediately after I took him out, the other 2 weren't! I managed to stimulate the breathing in both of them though and they are all still alive.

It's always best to be around when a piggy is giving birth. It can prevent deaths from situations like the one I went through.

 

[MPG]

Just need to feed them theyre usually amount of food, as said, alfafa is good because its high in calcium and great for growing pups bones. Its important not to overfeed as it can cause babies to become v large especially if there are a small amount in the litter. Make sure she also gets plenty of vitmain C too.

You need to be aware that having a back to back pregnancy will increase the risk of stillborns. As shes had babies before she shouldnt have any trouble passing them.

It is fine to handle the babies straight away, the mums wont attack them if they smell like your hands. Try and weigh pups daily to make sure they are putting on weight nicely. they may lose a few grams int he first day of two as they are getting going. I left it a week before putting the babies out on the grass with mum. Just make sure the pups dont have too much grass as it could upset there tummy's if they scoff too much. But its good to give them some. Just slowly introduce them to the fresh veg, they usually do really well.

Sorry not much I can help with, but i tried. lol. Good luck with it all. Poor piggie.

x

No thats really helpful, i know i can do it, i just need to feel a bit more confident, i dont want to let the mother down, poor girl! The pups could be inbred, the owner really sounds like a mallethead grrrr who leaves males and pups and moms together!!

 

[MPG]

I've had to handle mine straight away. After giving birth, some of the babies were still in their amniotic sacs and the mother wasn't doing anything about it! I had to tear them out so they could breathe! One of them started breathing immediately after I took him out, the other 2 weren't! I managed to stimulate the breathing in both of them though and they are all still alive.

It's always best to be around when a piggy is giving birth. It can prevent deaths from situations like the one I went through.

This is what I'm worried about, not being there for the birth. The mummy is going to have to go into the shed for now, as if i have her inside, its going to be a problem when it comes to seperating males from females as i dont have room for them all indoors. Its ok for them coming in from outside, but i dont want them going out from inside. I have snuggle safes, but i wouldnt be happy about it. Plus, my dad doesnt really like having the guinea pigs in the house unless its for floor time.