No Illness Here, Just General Health Question Regarding Ageing

[Kizi & honey]

Hello everyone, not sure where to post at the moment but chose this as a good starting point due to the amount of current posts etc but most importantly the amount of experts who can help out.

Its a bit long so apologies .

10 weeks ago I bought 2 boars from the dreaded pets at home. (I never knew the negatives until I later read up on them.)

They were "fostered" pigs.
I was told they weren't too sure of the age and didnt have much info on them although I was given an estimate on, but at the time I didnt care they needed to come back with me to a loving home .

Its niggling me about their ages as one was definitely bigger than the other so I thought maybe they are from different litters or maybe there was a few born so one is the smallest of the litter.

Either way id really like to know their age so they can celebrate a guesstimated birthday and so I have a better idea of how long I will have the little beauties around me. They arent very old but already I dread that moment and at least if I have a clue on age I will be a bit more prepared and stop wondering. I will weigh them shortly to update everyone for their expertise to help age them. It was reported they were around 10 weeks old when I bought them. But they seem much older. Instict and getting used to them tells me, Maybe around 5 months or so.
Ive had them now for 10 weeks tomorrow. So an extra ten would make them around 7.5 months in regards to my guess of real age. Ill upload a current pic of them shortly if that helps. Ill also upload a new comment about their weight and length to help.

Ps after reading all the poo about pets at home I decided to go back and check out their foster section again. (Only a week later)

I noticed the "fostered" containers/cages were full of new animals.

When I bought my guineas apparently they had been with the store a long time. The other animals such as hamsters, rats etc. Also had the same notice by the cage.

If thats so... how can I go one week later to see the section being refreshed with different animals but still with the name sign stating they have been in the store for a long time! I'm disappointed with the store for making people feel sad over supposed unloved guineas that are actually just the new ones they have been unable to sell. Ill always go to a shelter from now on and hope other potential new owners dont have to be exploited by the stores playing on their good nature of rehousing animals in need. (Obviously from that crap store they were still in need of rehousing but oh well that's not the point. They might as well of said "sale on guinea pigs that have yet to be sold and we cant be bothered to take care of them anymore cuz we want younger models" id have still got them. I love then so much and I think they love me

 

[Gem789]

Hello everyone, not sure where to post at the moment but chose this as a good starting point due to the amount of current posts etc but most importantly the amount of experts who can help out.

Its a bit long so apologies .

10 weeks ago I bought 2 boars from the dreaded pets at home. (I never knew the negatives until I later read up on them.)

They were "fostered" pigs.
I was told they weren't too sure of the age and didnt have much info on them although I was given an estimate on, but at the time I didnt care they needed to come back with me to a loving home .

Its niggling me about their ages as one was definitely bigger than the other so I thought maybe they are from different litters or maybe there was a few born so one is the smallest of the litter.

Either way id really like to know their age so they can celebrate a guesstimated birthday and so I have a better idea of how long I will have the little beauties around me. They arent very old but already I dread that moment and at least if I have a clue on age I will be a bit more prepared and stop wondering. I will weigh them shortly to update everyone for their expertise to help age them. It was reported they were around 10 weeks old when I bought them. But they seem much older. Instict and getting used to them tells me, Maybe around 5 months or so.
Ive had them now for 10 weeks tomorrow. So an extra ten would make them around 7.5 months in regards to my guess of real age. Ill upload a current pic of them shortly if that helps. Ill also upload a new comment about their weight and length to help.

Ps after reading all the poo about pets at home I decided to go back and check out their foster section again. (Only a week later)

I noticed the "fostered" containers/cages were full of new animals.

When I bought my guineas apparently they had been with the store a long time. The other animals such as hamsters, rats etc. Also had the same notice by the cage.

If thats so... how can I go one week later to see the section being refreshed with different animals but still with the name sign stating they have been in the store for a long time! I'm disappointed with the store for making people feel sad over supposed unloved guineas that are actually just the new ones they have been unable to sell. Ill always go to a shelter from now on and hope other potential new owners dont have to be exploited by the stores playing on their good nature of rehousing animals in need. (Obviously from that crap store they were still in need of rehousing but oh well that's not the point. They might as well of said "sale on guinea pigs that have yet to be sold and we cant be bothered to take care of them anymore cuz we want younger models" id have still got them. I love then so much and I think they love me

Hi and welcome to the forum.I totally agree with you about pets at home.Ive adopted 2 lots of Guinea Pigs from the adoption section there but I have seen that a lot of the animals up for adoption are just old stock which is very sad.My Pigs did come from homes into the store but there’s not many cases of that x

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone, not sure where to post at the moment but chose this as a good starting point due to the amount of current posts etc but most importantly the amount of experts who can help out.

Its a bit long so apologies .

10 weeks ago I bought 2 boars from the dreaded pets at home. (I never knew the negatives until I later read up on them.)

They were "fostered" pigs.
I was told they weren't too sure of the age and didnt have much info on them although I was given an estimate on, but at the time I didnt care they needed to come back with me to a loving home .

Its niggling me about their ages as one was definitely bigger than the other so I thought maybe they are from different litters or maybe there was a few born so one is the smallest of the litter.

Either way id really like to know their age so they can celebrate a guesstimated birthday and so I have a better idea of how long I will have the little beauties around me. They arent very old but already I dread that moment and at least if I have a clue on age I will be a bit more prepared and stop wondering. I will weigh them shortly to update everyone for their expertise to help age them. It was reported they were around 10 weeks old when I bought them. But they seem much older. Instict and getting used to them tells me, Maybe around 5 months or so.
Ive had them now for 10 weeks tomorrow. So an extra ten would make them around 7.5 months in regards to my guess of real age. Ill upload a current pic of them shortly if that helps. Ill also upload a new comment about their weight and length to help.

Ps after reading all the poo about pets at home I decided to go back and check out their foster section again. (Only a week later)

I noticed the "fostered" containers/cages were full of new animals.

When I bought my guineas apparently they had been with the store a long time. The other animals such as hamsters, rats etc. Also had the same notice by the cage.

If thats so... how can I go one week later to see the section being refreshed with different animals but still with the name sign stating they have been in the store for a long time! I'm disappointed with the store for making people feel sad over supposed unloved guineas that are actually just the new ones they have been unable to sell. Ill always go to a shelter from now on and hope other potential new owners dont have to be exploited by the stores playing on their good nature of rehousing animals in need. (Obviously from that crap store they were still in need of rehousing but oh well that's not the point. They might as well of said "sale on guinea pigs that have yet to be sold and we cant be bothered to take care of them anymore cuz we want younger models" id have still got them. I love then so much and I think they love me

Hi and welcome!

Your boys are lucky to have found you!

Please have a look at your boys' genitals; their testicles start descending around 4 months of age. That should give you the best clue about their age.
We have got pictures of baby boars and adult boars in our boar care guide:
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Guinea Pig Facts - A Short Overview

We have got lots more helpful guides for new owners here via this link: The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

 

[Kizi & honey]

Hi and welcome to the forum.I totally agree with you about pets at home.Ive adopted 2 lots of Guinea Pigs from the adoption section there but I have seen that a lot of the animals up for adoption are just old stock which is very sad.My Pigs did come from homes into the store but there’s not many cases of that x

Thanks for replying Gem, I am really happy to hear that yours did come from a home, as it gives hope to me that I have given the 2 pigs a new lease of life which is what I really wanted to do when buying them, after that I was just glad to have the little cuties in my life its just a bit suspicious that they didn't know anything about their "former life" unless I'm being paranoid for my pigs and the shop not really knowing their age might actually mean they truly did just take them in and ive been dragged into the scepticism around the store, thanks again

 

[Kizi & honey]

Hi and welcome!

Your boys are lucky to have found you!

Please have a look at your boys' genitals; their testicles start descending around 4 months of age. That should give you the best clue about their age.
We have got pictures of baby boars and adult boars in our boar care guide:
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Guinea Pig Facts - A Short Overview

We have got lots more helpful guides for new owners here via this link: The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight

Thank you very much for replying to me. I can see the 2 little testicles protruding when I pick them up and have A look I touched gently to make sure and they are definitely there and obvious, so thats been a very helpful technique to learn. At least now I know they are definitely over 4 months.

Thank you very much also for saying they are lucky to have me it makes me feel like a very proud carer to them, kizi is the black one and honey black and white they are so lovely and clever and they talk so much. I'm amazed at how quickly they have got used to the household and me. They deserve the best love and care they really do.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you very much for replying to me. I can see the 2 little testicles protruding when I pick them up and have A look I touched gently to make sure and they are definitely there and obvious, so thats been a very helpful technique to learn. At least now I know they are definitely over 4 months.

Thank you very much also for saying they are lucky to have me it makes me feel like a very proud carer to them, kizi is the black one and honey black and white they are so lovely and clever and they talk so much. I'm amazed at how quickly they have got used to the household and me. They deserve the best love and care they really do.

Just read the rest of the boar guide, so you can care for them appropriately and can spot boar problems early on or even prevent some.

What you report roughly corresponds with the age you have been told. Pets@home piggies should be around 8 weeks when they are being sold, so 10 week old babies cannot have been hanging around for ages..

 

[Kizi & honey]

Thank you for your insight weibke ive actually printed off some stuff so I can sit reading them without needing to be online lol. I've referred to it loads at the moment but I suppose the longer they are with me the less I will need to refer to "my little folder" lol and get used to the behaviour and executing what ive learnt about them and can also ask everyone here live questions.

I'm happy that my mind has been put at rest with the store I have concluded that, as they couldnt have been around for very long it must just be an advertising tactic that they use. Since the online readings for the store though, I have found a rescue center in Staffordshire which is just under an hour from where I live so thats fantastic for future reference and when I have the chance to expand the family
They Have lots of choice from younger to older some loved but not truly cared for and some really desperately needing to be taken from their home life due to unclean cages and mites etc. Many people have probably already heard about the center on here but it was a new thing for me to learn about recently and being so close to home I think it would be good to fundraise for them in some way to continue their work I'm going up to have a look on the weekend and find out some more about them and see if they need any help I suppose even donated basics make a difference to such a place especially at this time of year

 

[Kizi & honey]

I just wanted to expand on the bit about expanding the family.

I meant expanding the family by homing new ones whatever age or sex without breeding them as I dont think thats a responsible solution to a problem of all of the current unhoused piggies. Also any new additions would be housed separately and accordingly to their needs.
I would mix neutered sexes though if they developed a friendly relationship but wouldn't breed them especially due to health impacts ive heard about for sows.
Thank you, just wanted everyone to know thats not something I'd take part in.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your insight weibke ive actually printed off some stuff so I can sit reading them without needing to be online lol. I've referred to it loads at the moment but I suppose the longer they are with me the less I will need to refer to "my little folder" lol and get used to the behaviour and executing what ive learnt about them and can also ask everyone here live questions.

I'm happy that my mind has been put at rest with the store I have concluded that, as they couldnt have been around for very long it must just be an advertising tactic that they use. Since the online readings for the store though, I have found a rescue center in Staffordshire which is just under an hour from where I live so thats fantastic for future reference and when I have the chance to expand the family
They Have lots of choice from younger to older some loved but not truly cared for and some really desperately needing to be taken from their home life due to unclean cages and mites etc. Many people have probably already heard about the center on here but it was a new thing for me to learn about recently and being so close to home I think it would be good to fundraise for them in some way to continue their work I'm going up to have a look on the weekend and find out some more about them and see if they need any help I suppose even donated basics make a difference to such a place especially at this time of year

Thank you!

The two rescues in Staffordshire that we can recommend and guarantee for that you are in very safe hands are Merrypigs Sanctuary and the The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue. Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator

Unfortunately, anybody in this country can themselves a rescue or a breeder (and any mix in between) without a licence or any control, and results can be accordingly. One of the places that we had most complaints about over the years is in your area, so please be careful as it masquerades as a knowledgeable rescue. Getting guinea pigs safely is sadly a minefield for the well meaning but unwary. We have created our rescue locator on the top bar for exactly that reason.

 

[Kizi & honey]

I'm really smiling because it is the merry pigs which I have found and its so great to hear they are a trusted place thank you. It really makes me look forward to going there even more as I now I know they are genuine

 

[Wiebke]

PS: the rescues we recommend all have a mandatory quarantine, vet care and pregnancy watch. Any piggies are carefully bonded for character compatibility, they are getting used to human interaction while in rescue and are only put up for adoption when they are really ready.

Good that you have found @Merrypigs Sanctuary ; she is a forum member. I have linked her into this thread for you.

 

[Kizi & honey]

Thank you so much for involving them in the thread and also for giving a very valuable piece of advice that ill never forget and will always remember

 

[Kizi & honey]

To wiekbe and any other people to feel free on commenting on this, ive just got them out again for another play round the room I managed to hold both and weigh both also I had a better feel of their testicles as earlier I felt a bit confused after feeling and seeing them once I had put them back in their home.

For both of them they are definitely there and visible in the semi picked up position like as if they are standing or being cradled backwards In my hand, bit difficult with one hand now but I managed to feel the area good and the testicles for both of them after inspecting very carefully depsite looking like they are underneath, are actually located at the side of their penis and not below the penis as I thought it was earlier. They are definitely around either side of it and not lying underneath toward their back end.

Is this the way things are for them. Or Is it because they are still too young or could it be a position in which I'm holding them.

Thanks in advance its a little late now so understand if replies wont follow until tomorrow

 

[Kizi & honey]

Also kizi (black one with tinge of blonde)
Weighs 1lb and 12 oz and measures 9 and a quarter inch long.

Honey (black and white one) weighs 1lb and 13oz and measures 8 and a half inches long.

I was pleasantly surprised as by looking kizi looks much bigger than honey but apparently not.
Ill be weighing and measuring much more often now especially after reading it can be good in detecting early health signs

 

[Freela]

Congrats on the new additions! It's very difficult to judge age by size or by comparing them against each other, as adult guinea pigs can come in a range of sizes (right now I have one that is about 3 lbs and one that is under 2 lbs. They are both adult weights, just one is a big girl and one is a little peanut!) I did find that my pigs typically reached full size between 9 months and a year or so of age, so if you keep an eye on them to see when they hit full size you may be able to guesstimate an age for them then.