New here and looking for some piggies.

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Quinell

I'm not sure where i should be posting this , please can it be moved if there is somewhere more appropriate?
We live in Middlesex and are looking for three friendly piggies to come and live with us. 'Us ' is My DH and I, our three DDs, our three cats and our dog. I'm telling DH the piggies are for the kids, but they are really for me ;D
He's not so keen, he wants a bunny instead but having had both in the past i'd much rather have piggies!
We'd like three ideally, probably girls who are used to each others company, also we'd like them to look different as my DDs have names for them already.
We have a secure, covered hutch with a run that is sitting empty and plan to keep them in the utility room in another hutch when it's really cold. We have a good sized garden so they will get out in the run for fresh grass whenever the weather is suitable.
I've approached a local rescue but the DD's are young- 5 and under , so we are not suitable owners in their eyes. Also i'm not sure having the dog and cats helps- but i've kept piggies with dogs and cats before and after the initial excitement , things do calm down.
I was wondering if anyone on here knew of some piggies that might need a new home? I'm happy to drive for an hour or so to pick up some that were suitable.
Q
 
Hiya,

Check out the rescue page on here you may find something suitable for you! :)

Good luck!

Louise
x
 
Hi whats DD and DH ? Sorry i dont no what that stands for ? 98)
 
Hiya

I am sure some suitable piggys will come up soon! Check out all the local animal rescues near you and also the preloved site on the internet and also any free ads... You might find some piggies looking for good homes.

You will prob need to have girlies if you are planning to get more than two (or two girls and a very lucky neutered boar!) I have heard that boars fight if they are kept more than two ... However maybe there are some exceptions to this rule!

Good luck! :) :)
 
Thank you all.
We found some piggies on a localish farm and i went out today to take a look at them when i didn't have the kiddies with me.
There were rather a lot in together , the three i selected are all girls but i can't vouch for the rest ? She didn't even know how old ( 8 weeks to 16 weeks she guessed) they were but they look okay, no runny eyes or noses and front teeth look okay, so i brought three home.
I went via Pets at home and got an indoor cage as i think it's too cold outside for them today!
I bought them some guinea pig nuggets as thats what they were on before, and the lady at P@h said i couldn't use straw for bedding as it would scratch their eyes. She sold me some sawdust instead.
What do you experienced keepers think about that- is that true?
Also re feeding- can you give them apple cores, carrot peelings, veggie scraps or is it best to stick to their usual food and hay?
How long until they start coming out for a look see in your experience? The kids will be mad to see them but i don't want to be hauling them out of their hidey area to show them.
And Last Question, i promise. One of our cats is quite interested in a sit and look sort of way. I'm pretty sure the hutch is cat proof but shall i shut puss out until the piggies are happier or is it a case of just letting them get used to each other?
Q
 
Hi
Good luck with your new piggies.
They do advise that straw is no good for piggies. It can cause damage to the eyes.
Shavings, I use them with hay over.
I have just got some Russel Rabbit bedding, as a few people recommended that.
My piggies came out for food when we first got them, if we were quiet (very) they didn't dive for cover.
I've had Harry and Nibbles 4 weeks and even now they are skittish.
I don't know about apple cores. carrot peelings ( washed) will be ok. They need some veggies every day. There is a very good list that I found helpful in the food section on here.
I don't have a cat, maybe someone else can help you out there.
Post some piccies of the piggies, would love to see them. :)
Anne.
 
:) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ARRIVALS :)

Do you know if the boars were seperate or not otherwise i would be slightly concerned that they might be pregnant.
Food wise i would avoid apple cores as i believe that they shouldn't eat the pips, the rest of the apple is fine but is best fed sparingly and in smaller chunks to prevent mouth sores. If you have a look in the food section there is a shopping list that will tell you what food are suitable. Give them some time and they will soon be running to the front of the cage demanding food and attention.
 
Congratulations on your new arrivals.
Some people use woodshavings with hay on top but research has shown that woodshavings can lead to upper respitory infections and possibly skin fungal infections in guineas. There is a list on other types of bedding in the housing section. I personally use aubiose, which is a hemp bedding commonly used for horses..it is cost effective as it comes in huge 20kg bags for about £7.
I give mine fresh veggies twice a day, a mixture of salad type stuff (no iceberg lettuce tho!) and veg. You can cut back a bit on the veg if they have been grazing on grass but it is coming towards the time of year where grass loses a lot of its nutrition.
 
I got all 4 of my piggies from a pet store took them 2 a vet a few days after i got them and they were all fine so why dont you try a pet store :) :)
 
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