URGENT HELP! One of my pigs has given birth ...

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youthnovels

youthnovels

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Oh christ, I can't stop shaking.

I came home today, looking out the window, see the smallest pig running around in their hutch. I swear I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

But no, there's a tiny baby guinea pig in the hutch.

What the hell do I do?! I feel awful, non of them looked pregnant, not that I've ever had a pregnant sow but non of them caused me any concern.

I'm 99% sure it has come from Betty and I am positive that they are all females but obviously this is going to be checked ... by a qualified vet. I am certain that one of my girls has come to me pregnant. We got them on the 7th August ..... so is it possible that one of our guinea pigs is a he rather than she? Or would the pregnancy be too short?

She's currently in a heard of five (well six now) should I move Betty and baby out? Or keep them together? Any extra things I need to know? I have NEVER had any pregnant pigs.
 
First thing to do, is take pictures of ALL FIVE piggies genitals and post them for us to see. Just to make sure you dont accidentally have a male in there. If there is a male we will have lots to do. The next is watch your piggies, and see who the babies go to feed off, then you will know who theyre mommy is. Then, you need to weigh the baby and tell us the weights (its ok to handle the baby mom wont rejct it). After this has been done, we will no more and can help you. :) Dont panic, Help is at hand!
 
OMG ..... one of my first piggies was pregnant when I got her and I didnt even have a suspicion until 2 days before she gave birth. I was lucky, with advice from here, and the fact Ebony was a natural mother to her 3 girls who I could keep - it all worked out.

Hope others more experienced on here though can offer you advice. Might be worth weighing the baby ?

I'm sure someone can tell you how to tell who has given birth ? Ebony was feeding mine when she gave birth and it was obvious (she was only with 1 other female).

Hope everything will be okay - keep us posted

x
 
Connie said:
First thing to do, is take pictures of ALL FIVE piggies genitals and post them for us to see. Just to make sure you dont accidentally have a male in there. If there is a male we will have lots to do. The next is watch your piggies, and see who the babies go to feed off, then you will know who theyre mommy is. Then, you need to weigh the baby and tell us the weights (its ok to handle the baby mom wont rejct it). After this has been done, we will no more and can help you. :) Dont panic, Help is at hand!
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Christ, thank god someones here to calm me down! I've just double checked and I am positive they are all girls but I will take photos in the next 30minutes just to get a fifth opinion (all my family have checked).

I now know it's Betty who is the mummy as the littlun (currently named Cilla (surprise, surprise!)) is feeding from. Poor little mite is only 4months max. Non of the others girls seemed phased by the latest arrival and they are all just happily wondering around getting on with life.

Right .... I've had a big glug of wine and carried out some yoga breathing. Time to take photos and start weighing.
 
When my Ebony had her babies Sherbet (her friend) stayed with her throughout.... I think there was different views on this at the time..... but Sherbet seemed to help really.... with keeping the babies in line.....

I guess it might be worth keeping an eye on how the others rspond to a new baby/new mom in the camp....and obviously you need to know asap if they are all female...

Are they outside ? (I think so from you saying looking out the window and hutch). I dont know if this makes any difference but thought worth asking in case it matters to someone who can help who looks at this later.

x
 
Oh good. Now if you have no boys, theres no panic. ( **** post photos to be super sure)

In the next day or so you need to sorce some alfalfa hay. (This is good for mom and pup while pup is nursing and growing)

If the pup is male it will need to be seperated at 3 weeks (we will help you sex when the time comes)

The most stressfull bit is over, provided the pup is a healthy weight.

What kind of cage do you have?

Is the pup clean? (as in no blood) and does mom feel as if there are more pups inside? (if she does dont bother replying just rush her STRAIGHT to the vets - although this seems unlikely as it has been a while since pup was born)
 
Hi there

Betty will have concieved around the 19th July, so before you got her.

This link will give you some homework to do once you've weighed the baby and calmed down a bit more.
http://wheekers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=library&action=display&thread=7303

I would advise giving Betty a check over to make sure she isn't bleeding - a little bloody mucus at this stage will be normal, also check her belly to make sure there are no further lumps in there, occasionally the labour stops before all the pups are passed so a quick feel will tell you.

If the pigs are outside I would advise keeping a very close eye on the weather, luckily the nightime temps are not low but the daytime temps may get higher than is safe - pigs can develop toxaemia in the two weeks after birth so make sure the cage is not in full sun.

I hope you have something in mind for the winter accommodation for the pigs, babies really shouldn't be outside at all in the winter.

Suzy x
 
Sadly I can't find the lead for my camera but I am 100% sure that they are all shes. Will post photos in a day or so if people want to see them though :)

Baby weighs 100 grams which I presume is a healthy weight. Topped up the cage full of hay, will try and find some alfalfa hay but if I'm honest I don't think there's anywhere near me that sells it so might have to have a hay experts delivery which could be a few days. Is it okay to wait until then?

Do I need to leave unlimited pellets in the cage? And I take it I should introduce greens slowly? It says on that link from 1/2weeks ... is this correct?

Oh my lord, still in shock!
 
youthnovels said:
Oh christ, I can't stop shaking.

I came home today, looking out the window, see the smallest pig running around in their hutch. I swear I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

But no, there's a tiny baby guinea pig in the hutch.

What the hell do I do?! I feel awful, non of them looked pregnant, not that I've ever had a pregnant sow but non of them caused me any concern.

I'm 99% sure it has come from Betty and I am positive that they are all females but obviously this is going to be checked ... by a qualified vet. I am certain that one of my girls has come to me pregnant. We got them on the 7th August ..... so is it possible that one of our guinea pigs is a he rather than she? Or would the pregnancy be too short?

She's currently in a heard of five (well six now) should I move Betty and baby out? Or keep them together? Any extra things I need to know? I have NEVER had any pregnant pigs.
Click to expand...

I know exactly how you feel, I'd had my two girls for 7 weeks when I came in from work to find a baby in the cage! he's 5 week old on Friday and coming along just nicely, he's full of character! :))
 
100g is a very good weight, you can give greens to mum and the others by placing it on a platform the baby can't access. I usually start introducing them to the babies from 1 week. Until you can get the alfalfa you can give mum broccoli stalks instead - an inch or two will be enough. It contains plenty of calcium, unlike the florets which are very low. Unlimited pellets, ensure lots of good quality hay and refresh the water bottles every day.

Do check the piggy that came in with Betty as there is a chance that she is expecting too.

Suzy x
 
All the informations youve just stated is correct. 100grams in VERY healthy.

Veg needs to be introduced slowly, unlimited pellets, (alfalfa asap so if that means you cant get any accept for delivery that will be ok) :)

As said above, babies really shouldnt be out all winter, I would do everything possible to bring mum and baby in, (even if this means a temporary seperationg from the herd)

You want baby to be using all calories for growing, instead of lots for keeping warm.

The important thing now is to make sure mums weight is stable, and baby is putting on weight, and they both look lively and healthy.
 
100gms is very good. Rebel didn't weigh 100gms until he was 4 days old. ;)
 
Thankyou everyone! Means a lot. Luckily I have three indoor cages and a spare outdoor 5x2 hutch. So every eventuality is covered! If baby is a girl she will be staying with the heard, if a boy we will separate and get a cage mate for him.

What rate should baby be putting on weight roughly? If I'm honest they both seem in good condition. If I hadnt of seen baby running around the cage I wouldn't of even noticed as generally I don't disturb their pigloo/ sleeping area.

I know I said I wanted more guineas but this I wasn't expecting ... Mum doesn't have any lumps or bumps and no blood at all, considering she's a long haired piggy she has done a good job of keeping clean!

Ill stock up on alfalfa hay and broccoli ASAP.
 
I know as piggies grow (i got mine at 4 months) they put on 25g per week, not sure if thats more or less for babies. Sorry i cant be more help.

Sounds like your very organised. As was said above please keep an eye on the piggy who came with betty for more babs!
 
Rebel put on 25 gms by day 6, a further 50 gms by day 10 and was a whopping 225 gms at 2 weeks old, he now weighs 475 gms at 4 and a half weeks old. :)
 
Connie said:
I know as piggies grow (i got mine at 4 months) they put on 25g per week, not sure if thats more or less for babies. Sorry i cant be more help.

Sounds like your very organised. As was said above please keep an eye on the piggy who came with betty for more babs!
Click to expand...

With every animal we take in, we get an indoor cage for "just incase" and nights like bonfire night. Definitely going to keep an eye on Elsie, she's so tiny though I just don't see her being pregnant. Then again, I didn't expect this either ....
 
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Baby pig.

Borrowed my brothers phone to take photos whilst I weighed baby. Non of their bits yet as they're on my proper camera but I will post them tomorrow :)
 
awww how cute and she only has had one so thats not too bad and the little one looks very healthy:))
 
Congratulations on the new little one, is it a little boy or girl? Hope mummy (and you!) are coping well xxxxxx
 
Oh my god I just read all this! You must have been seriously shocked. I know I would have had a heart attack! Thank goodness there was only one baby and not six!:)) This is actually pretty exciting news. A little baby to love and watch grow. How exciting! How is the baby and Cilla doing? Congratulations on being a granmother!
 
No wonder you were shocked! I would have been too. You sound like you are coping really well with the unexpected arrival and baby looks so cute. I am amazed at how they are up and running as soon as they are born, with teeth, fur and everything.
Keep us updated with pics please.
 
firstly i'd like to say

THANKYOU TO EVERYONE..........what a wonderful group you are to totally calm Youthnovel down first off and then give fantastic advice! xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>

this is what this forum is all about.......helping and supporting x)
 
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