Xena Has Just Had 4 Tiny Babies

[Stewybus]

One of my rescue girls, Xena has just given birth to 4 tiny babies weighing from 83g to 104g. These are very small compared to the 2 previous litters born here. But the previous litters were just triplets & twins. They all appear healthy but should I be on alert because of low weights x
their low weights x

 

[xxaimeexx]

Sweeties!

 

[helen105281]

Oh they're lovely, I would not be too concerned about their weights but Wiebke is probably the best person to answer.

 

[Stewybus]

They take after their mother on the right in this picture x

 

[Tim]

Four very cute piggies! 8 must has cuddles!

 

[Stewybus]

Oh they're lovely, I would not be too concerned about their weights but Wiebke is probably the best person to answer.

Thanks Helen, I'll tag her here @Wiebke just in case. I have Alfalfa hay in but won't give them that for a couple of days x

 

[Freela]

They are are adorable! I don't know the first thing about babies, but I hope they all do well for you!

 

[Wiebke]

One of my rescue girls, Xena has just given birth to 4 tiny babies weighing from 83g to 104g. These are very small compared to the 2 previous litters born here. But the previous litters were just triplets & twins. They all appear healthy but should I be on alert because of low weights x
their low weights xView attachment 38226

70-100g is considered the ideal birth weight for babies for a smooth birth. Not too big to cause problems with getting stuck, but also not so small that they need support (below 60g, you want to give newborns one-on-one time with mum 2-3 times a day, below 50g they may need extra, but extremely careful hand feeding, ideally not with a syringe). Babies over 100g, especially once you get towards 120-140g are no fun for mum to get out and are the most likely to cause often fatal problems to themselves, any unborn siblings and not rarely to the mum as well. If you regularly have got too large babies, please reduce the amount of pellets you feed in the last 3 weeks before birth.

Glad that all haas gone well!

 

[madd]

Cute! Lots of icle fffffggfeeeeeetttttttt! X

 

[madd]

Pops fffffeeeeeetttttt!

 

[madd]

Dam you auto correct lol

 

[Julesie]

Oh they are all such cuties!

 

[biscandmatt]

soooo cute!

 

[Abi_nurse]

My Lord, they are cute!

They're perfect weights, especially considering their were four. Keep an eye on the weights but don't be concerned they're average size.

x

 

[Stewybus]

Thanks Wiebke & Abi_nurse. Until these babies I'd only experienced twins & triplets so I thought that the lower weights would be because there were more of them. They're all doing well this morning & Xena has moved them from under the log bridge to inside the plastic igloo house. I'll leave them for the rest of the day & sex them tonight x

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Helen, I'll tag her here @Wiebke just in case. I have Alfalfa hay in but won't give them that for a couple of days x

Here are our tips for a pregnancy and nursing diet with amounts of how much extra of what is needed: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-and-nursing-diet.109377/

Alfalfa/lucerne you give about one handful in addition to the normal hay. Once the babies are starting to seriously eat hay, you can add another handful with larger litter. Please remember that most available pellets are also alfalfa based.

 

[Gimz]

Oh wow what wonderfully cute little bundles.

 

[piggieminder]

Adorable babies, hope all goes well.

 

[GPTV]

Oh wow! Gorgeous piggies
Sorry no idea on weights but love the photo's
Xx

 

[VickiA]

Congratulations Xena. What adorable babies x