Questions - Our two 'Male' piggies had babies!

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jameswales

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We came back from getting groceries today, to find two cute little piggies running around the cage.

We purchased the parents two months ago from a pet store, and were told they were both male. We didn't even realize the now female was pregnant - we just thought she was getting fat.

Anyway, we now have two extra unexpected friends living with them. We're first-time piggie owners, so...

1. Is there anything we should do to help Mum and babies?

2. Should we make water available at ground level? Our original pigs drink from a regular drip bottle, but the babies can't reach it. Or, will they just suckle milk from mummy?

The new family all look very happy together. We how ever are a bit bewildered and confused, although very happy of course!

Any information would be great. Thanks.
 
Hi James,

What a shock, firstly are you sure they are both females, as if Dads is in with mum she's likely to be pregnant again.

I have very limited knowledge with babies but do give mum lots of nice veggies high vitamin C.

If your unsure of the sex of your other pig post a pic, and we can help you sex him.

The babies should take key from the adults, I wouldn't worry to much about the water bottle at this point but do make sure everyone is feeding.

:)
 
Thanks for such a quick response!

Uuuummm...bit confused with your question about both being females. We know the parents (our two original pigs) are one male and one female - although before we thought they were both male.

No idea what the sex of the newborns are - we literally found them an hour ago so haven't intruded yet.

We just want to make sure it's safe to keep Dad in the cage with them etc, and also that none of the little ones will get eaten? I hear myths about them doing this if the babies get human scent on them?

Thanks!
 
If Dad is still in the cage - please remove him. Be aware that mum is more than likely pregnant again as she comes into Season immediately after giving birth :(.
 
Hi James firstly welcome to the forum to you, the family and the piggies :)
Oh dear what a shock!
To get some more help it might be a good idea to pop a thread into our pregnancy section.
Yes well said Flinstones, remove the father now.
Best of luck to you all, if you get some time whee would love to see some pigtures of all the piggies, whee have a stories/photo's section.

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x
 
oh boy, you must have been shocked. first, check out this link: http://www.guinealynx.info/sexing.html it'll help you decide if the other pig (the one who didnt have babies) is a male or female, or you could post pics of its bits and someone can help decide. if it is a male, please seperate asap. and like someone said, it is possible she is prego again, if in fact the other pig is a male. lots of vitamin c and alafalfa hay are in order, and once you determine the sex of the babiees, remove male pigs after 2 weeks because they can impregnate mom. good luck to you!
 
jameswales said:
Thanks for such a quick response!

Uuuummm...bit confused with your question about both being females. We know the parents (our two original pigs) are one male and one female - although before we thought they were both male.

No idea what the sex of the newborns are - we literally found them an hour ago so haven't intruded yet.

We just want to make sure it's safe to keep Dad in the cage with them etc, and also that none of the little ones will get eaten? I hear myths about them doing this if the babies get human scent on them?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

As flintstones said, if the male is still in with the mum there is a high possibility that she is already pregnant again. Please take him out if you haven't already.

You can handle the babies as soon as they have been cleaned by mum and are mooching around on their own. Unlike a lot of other rodents guinea pigs are (as you've probably already realised) not nesters and are not put off their babies by scent as they are already able to communicate with each other. Mum will not feel threatened if you hold the babies. If anything she'll be thankful for a few minutes' rest!

If you want, take pictures of the babies' privates and you can post them up; we can help you sex them. Male pigs need to be taken away from their mother at 3 weeks old; any older and you run the risk of them being able to get mum and any sisters pregnant.

Babies will not need to drink water just yet so you are safe keeping the bottle where it is; babies will get all the hydration they need from mum for now. If you want in a week or two when the babies are a bit bigger you can try putting a bowl of water in the cage if they are still not able to reach the bottle as they'll start to copy off mum.

Food wise, as has been mentioned really. Keep the food bowl for mum topped up and you'll find that the babies will start nibbling at what's there very soon. Unlimited hay and water. Alfalfa if you can get some is great for the mum whilst she's nursing! Something like extra pepper or broccoli will also help mum and babies.

:) Hope that helps, and enjoy your new additions! There's probably something I've missed so come morning (UK time - I think you're on the other side of the pond?) I'm sure you'll get even more advice!
 
When my wee ones were newborns, I kept the water bottle in the same spot, and put a fairly big rock below it in case they needed a little help to reach it. The pups are so amazing with what they are able to do from day one. They learn from their mum so quickly and will repeat the actions she carries out in her daily life. Enjoy this time as it will go by so quickly! Keep a close eye on mum and babies, get them weighed regularly and ensure they get tons of cuddles right away! Best of luck to you all. :)
 
Hello and welcome to the forum - hopefully we can help!

Pregnancies last 70 days, and a female will be fertile within a couple of hours of giving birth, this is why it is very important to sex and separate the other piggy if it is male.

As you got your piggies 2 months ago (ie less than 70 days) it is quite feasible that they are both the same sex (females) and the other piggy could be pregnant too. Petshop pregnancies are common as are mis-sexed piggies, a look through the Pregnancy & Labour section will show many people who found themselves in your situation.

As has already been said, mum will feed the babies so there is no need to adapt the water bottle though a small block underneath will enable the babies to find it once they start exploring more. Keep mum's food bowl topped up and the babies will soon learn from her what to eat, plenty of good hay plus a good handful of alfalfa/lucerne hay added daily to the feed hay will help with the calcium mum and the babies need while she is nursing.

We will help with the sexing of the babies if you need it - male babies should be removed on day 21, if they weigh a minimum of 8.5 oz. Baby boys become fertile very young and will make both mum and sister pregnant at the first opportunity.

HTH

Suzy x
 
Some great advice from these guys as usual :)
PLEASE take the male out, mum will get pregnant again if she isn't already pregnant.
 
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