My Mum just got a guinea...

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~Em~

Hi guys!

Another newbie here, I'm them and I came to the forum as I'm a member of fancy-rats.co.uk, and was told that this is the place to come! I'm very conscientious when it comes to animal care, having a fair bit of experience with ratties now.

However, my Mum has recently adopted a gorgeous lil cavy fella called Billy, and sadly I have no idea how I can advise her on feeding, housing etc. I wanted to get the best advice I could from you guys on here! I don't live with my Mum, but I'm gonna be keeping an eye on how things are going with this lil fella, as I have fallen in love with him instantly x)

Anyway, they have him in a decent style hutch outside, with plenty of hay, newspaper and woodshavings as bedding. First question - the shavings, are these ok?! My rats have never been kept on this as it damages their delicate respiratory systems, is it not the same for guinea's? He is also out in the garden, I didn't like the thought of this, don't most guinea's prefer to live in indoor cages? Will he be ok?

I have told them to feed him on plenty plenty of fresh veg (for his vit C needs) alongside his dry mix (sorry not sure what brand of dry mix they have got for him, will have to check later). A big bottle of fresh water available. Anything else they should be aware of?

Next - my Mum was told he is around a year old, they're not sure if he is neutered. If not, should he be neutered? I know this should not be considered for rats unless absolutely necessary as tis a dangerous op for small rodents.

He is on his own - this concerns me, I imagine that guinea's are just as sociable as rats and need a friend to live with? If so what option is best, another male? (Will they fight?) Or female friends if he is in fact neutered?

Sorry for all the questions think that's all for now, thanks in advance for taking time to read/reply :)
 
Hi and welcome. Guinea pigs are social animals and should have some company. He would be best paired with a baby boar unless he has been neutered then he can be paired with a sow. Outside hutch is probably ok for the summer months but will be too cold in winter and would either need to be indoors or in a shed/garage which is heated or have heatpads in the hutch I believe! (I'm not sure about this part though as my pigs are indoors).
Got any pics? ;)
 
Hi and thanks so much for the quick reply! I thought as much that company would be essential for them. I want to encourage her to go to a rescue though as pet shops = rodent farms = horrible :(

Havent got any pics just yet unfortunately but I'll be hopping back on here tomorrow to post some hopefully! :)
 
~them~ said:
Hi guys!

Anyway, they have him in a decent style hutch outside, with plenty of hay, newspaper and woodshavings as bedding. First question - the shavings, are these ok?! My rats have never been kept on this as it damages their delicate respiratory systems, is it not the same for guinea's?
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Wood shavings really aren't the best option for piggies, as their respiratory system is fairly delicate as well. In the Housing Section on the board are all of the reviews of each type of bedding and you and your Mom can choose the best option for Billy and your needs!
 
Everyone here has pretty much summed it up! They need company and shavings are generally a no no! Please post some pigtures when you get them as we all love them here x)
 
Thank you both! I use Finacard, shredded up cardboard, for my ratlets. Would this be ok to donate to Billy? And what is the general opinion on the neutering issue. I heard somewhere that this is usually done routinely for piggies but I don't take that as gospel.

And yeah I cant wait to show off some piccies! Billy has a gorgeous coat on him.
 
~them~ said:
Thank you both! I use Finacard, shredded up cardboard, for my ratlets. Would this be ok to donate to Billy? And what is the general opinion on the neutering issue. I heard somewhere that this is usually done routinely for piggies but I don't take that as gospel.

And yeah I cant wait to show off some piccies! Billy has a gorgeous coat on him.
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They don't need to be neutered unless they are going to live with a female. If he is a bit older a baby boar may be the ideal option!
 
Briony_Y said:
They don't need to be neutered unless they are going to live with a female. If he is a bit older a baby boar may be the ideal option!
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Thanks for the advice! I think I'll encourage her to go look for a lil boar at our local rescue then :)
 
It may be cold in an outdoor hutch during the winter but it can also be too warm during the summer months. This can result in heat exhaustion leading to death.
 
alcesterpigs said:
It may be cold in an outdoor hutch during the winter but it can also be too warm during the summer months. This can result in heat exhaustion leading to death.
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I agree it can get too hot. Mine are in a shed in hutches & in the summer i put frozen water bottles (in socks) for them to lay against & drape hand-wrung wet towels at all hutch fronts to keep them cool.

I worry more about them in summer than winter as in winter they have lots of hay to snuggle in, curtains at hutch fronts, large woollen rugs up at the shed door & plastic sheeting at all windows to keep out draughts.
 
Where did your mum get him from? Has he lived with other piggies before? If so contact previous owners to get a better idea of his personality as to whether he is a dominant piggie or not. Adult males can successfully be bonded if personalities are known and is bonded with the opposite personality.

I would not suggest neutering him at this stage.
 
Oh gosh, I worry about the outdoor hutch alot now!

My Mum got Billy from a friend of my younger brother, who couldn't keep him anymore as her family members were allergic.

As far as I know this girl has had billy from birth* edited to say she didn't take him away from his mother from birth! so she must have got him at 6 weeks old (from an accidental litter from some one she knew ?/) And kept him as a lone boar, separated from his siblings (a real shame as it would have been ideal for him to be brought up with a brother I'm sure).
 
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hi just wanted to add that hay is a fantastic bedding and its more natural too.what hay has your mum got for Billy?
there arealso quite a few no-no's with food and what you should and shouldnt feed them so just research it in the food section;)
btw Welcome to TGPF:)p
 
Welcome to the board!

If you're not sure whether Billy might like some company or not (some pigs don't if they have been on their own for some time), you could ask a local rescue to "test drive" him with different guinea pigs under expert supervision, so you have a better idea what to look for - you might even find a little friend for him right away! Quite a few rescues have more guinea pigs than on the web; it's always worth ringing up.

There is a list of rescues on the guinea pig rehome website:
http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk

Hopefully, you have a splendid time with Billy, and in making him happy find that you've made yourself happy as well!
 
Yes, if Billy came from a rescue I think the best bet is to contact them and try to get some more info to see if he has been neutered by them and about his background. I think if Billy has ever been with a girl piggy it is unlikely he will accept anothr boar long term even if things seem promising whilst the new one is a baby, but if he hasn't and has a good personality this may be a good option for him. You definately need more info.

My piggies live in hutches in spring/summer/autumn. I've never had a problem with them over-heating as the hutches are located by the house out of the sun where its cool and shady. If Billy is used to being outside he'll be fine. I do bring my pigs in for a few months over winter when it gets freezing at night tho. If Billy is a lone piggy tho he might get more companionship and tlc from being inside where people are coming and going all the time...
 
I would like to add that my 11 guinea pigs live outside in hutchs all year around in the winter there get extra hay and extra food etc and there also have a hutch hugger on each cage which keeps them worm and i can roll the frount of it up in the summer there aslo have a blanket over it as well for night time to make it dark for them and there also have some palistc sheets over the top on a night as well - and this dose keep them wrom in the winter if your mum cant have them inside

In the summer i make sure there dont get too hot etc
 
my guineas have a shed, and when it is really cold i put in those head pad things, they love them.:)
 
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