|
Post by ShinyLuna on Dec 4, 2012 23:22:39 GMT
Hello,
We are new to breeding and are looking for the perfect pair. Well we found a respectable breeder, who seems to have good feedback.
They have a red/white silkie boy( 2 weeks ) and a PE cream/ white coronet girl ( born this morning ) that will be available around the time we are wanting to get them. (After Christmas)
I feel silly, because I can't figure out what the PE stands for? Does anyone know? Also, in your opinion, does this sound like a good pair? As far as I know, they are from good stock and have good history. These breeders breed mostly to show their piggies and better their lines.
If the boy is 2 weeks as of (12/4) and the girl is just born today (12/4) when is the safest time to start breeding them?
Sorry, but we are new to this and have been doing a lot of research, but I figure talking to people who have actually been there would be a better idea. We want them to be happy and healthy and are not breeding them for profit or to sell their offspring and only want to breed them 1 or 2 times, maybe more, but depending on their litter sizes. (If we start breeding from a young age, what is the oldest they can be bred?)
PS. The price they are asking for these pigs is between $80 and $100. Is that a reasonable price?
Thank you,
Luna
|
|
|
Post by cordane on Dec 4, 2012 23:59:44 GMT
Just realized in late for Elfynns feeding but pe is pink eyed
|
|
|
Post by ShinyLuna on Dec 5, 2012 0:03:28 GMT
Thank you. That's so simple. I'm embarrassed I didn't figure it out.
|
|
|
Post by ShinyLuna on Dec 5, 2012 0:11:43 GMT
This is the Sow born 12/4/12 (PE Cream/White Coronet Sow) This is the Boar born 11/20/12 (Red/White Silkie Boar) (He has a red patch over other eye) I'm hoping to be able to get these guys after Christmas, but will be holding off breeding until they are old enough.
|
|
|
Post by cordane on Dec 5, 2012 0:57:08 GMT
From what I have seen (I'm friends with quite a few breeders but don't breed gp's myself) a sow should be no less than 3 months old ideally before she is put to a boar. They say she should weigh more than 400g by the time she is put with a boar which can be a good thing to go by if the sow is rather small.
As for if they would be a good breeding pair, this completely depends on what your goals are.
And I cannot comment on price what-so-ever. In NZ, you usually pay between $10 and about $25 for a gp. Most of mine averaged at $15 each - many of them having pedigrees and such though I paid a fair amount to get some of them here.
|
|
|
Post by ShinyLuna on Dec 5, 2012 1:02:00 GMT
Thanks so much for the info! It really helps. I think the price is okay for where I live as I've looked in several places and the ones with pedigrees seem to fall in this price range. Heck, the ones at the pet store cost 34$ and I don't want to buy from there, obviously!
Thanks for your help.
Luna~
|
|
|
Post by cordane on Dec 5, 2012 1:05:36 GMT
You guys pay a lot for guineas.. In pet shops you are looking at $15 here and you can get ones with pedigrees for the same price. Oh. $15 NZ is about $12 US.
|
|
|
Post by ShinyLuna on Dec 5, 2012 1:51:54 GMT
Yeah, it's sad we have to pay so much, but we really love them, so it's hard to resist, right?
|
|
|
Post by Kayleigh on Dec 5, 2012 7:23:01 GMT
Hiya
A sow can be bred from 6 months of age MINIMUM and must weigh in at least 700grams. Im unsure where Cordane got her information but here in the UK and a majority of breeders i know across the seas will not breed a sow under 6 months of age. Breeding depends entirely on the sow herself, he size, weight and condition and her breed. Coronets can grow to nice sized pigs so you dont want to breed her too small, as in my opinion breeding small sows produces small pups, which isnt ideal.
They seem like a good pair they should produce some lovely offpsring.
There are alot of threads on this forum about breeding, take a look and if you have any questions no matter how silly they may seem, please ask. There are alot of people who just breed for the sake of breeding and also breed then ask questions!
As far as pricing goes pigs can range from £5-£25 here in the uk. I havent paid more than that for a hairy pig in my years breeding etc. ( £25 is approx $40usd) I wouldnt be paying more than that for a pedigree pig. The hairless breeds, skinnies, baldwins etc are usually £50 - £100 here in the uk so about $70usd i reckon.
So i would personally say they are asking TOO much if thats the individual price for each pig. But each breeder is entitled to ask whatever price they see fit. Im always wary of those that charge a high price though.
Good luck on your venture and do keep us posted
Kayleigh
|
|
|
Post by ShinyLuna on Dec 5, 2012 7:37:23 GMT
|
|
|
Post by ohiogoatgirl on Dec 5, 2012 7:53:44 GMT
holey canoley thats alot for a pig... actually thats about how much i'd pay here for an actual hog piglet! i'm in ohio but i'd still think it wouldnt be so much more in western states for gpigs. here they are 10-15$ but i dunno about petstores. but i dont like pet stores anyway so hooey to them haha. at the very most i've seen is $50 but thats pig with cage and all supplies.
|
|
|
Post by cordane on Dec 5, 2012 8:17:32 GMT
Hiya A sow can be bred from 6 months of age MINIMUM and must weigh in at least 700grams. Im unsure where Cordane got her information The information I said was found on pretty much all the websites I found on google and also a breeder friend though I should have also mentioned that its not uncommon here for piggies to weigh over 600g at 3 months. One of my guineas (for example) is only 9 weeks old and almost 600g. I got Cooper and Israel from the same breeder at at 3.5 months they were a little over 900g. - I should have mentioned that earlier.
|
|
|
Post by Kayleigh on Dec 5, 2012 13:02:01 GMT
I would never reccomend breeding a sow until shes 6 months at least. Its unfair to breed a 12 week old sow shes not fully grown herself. 95% of breeders would agree with me.
Sent from my e using proboards
|
|
|
Post by ShinyLuna on Dec 5, 2012 17:39:41 GMT
ohiogoatgirl: Yeah it does seem like a lot, but like I said, I'm willing to pay more, knowing they aren't B2B breeders and their pigs are actually cared for, vet care and all.
Kayleigh: I understand what you mean. We don't plan on breeding her until she is ready! The boar will be in his own sectioned off part of the cage and the girls will be on the other side.
Can I ask you, is it safe or not for healthy guinea pigs over 1-3 year to breed if they have never had a litter before? I've been reading conflicting info. We have one American and two Abys that my husband really likes and wants to possibly breed, but all the info I'm finding on their ages is conflicting. The American is 1 1/2 and the Abys are 3 and 3 1/2. (The 3 1/2 has had a normal litter before)
I won't breed them until I can get advice from an experienced breeder.
|
|
|
Post by Kayleigh on Dec 5, 2012 17:58:52 GMT
Sows can successfully breed over a year old IF they are fit and healthy (not fat) i wouldnt breed a sow over 15 months myself for the first time but i know of others who have and its been fine. Definately no sows over 2 years of age. Its too risky on the sow. A sow who has littered before can be bred again yes, but again make sure shes fit and healthy.
There is alot of conflicting information out there and it can be very confusing especially to new owners or those looking to breed. But find out the basic information ie sexing, gestation periods and all that can go wrong and your pretty much set.
Ask lots of questions and enjoy the experience.
But i will advise against breeding a sow under 6 months. I like to let my sows grow on and mature first. I find it unfair to put the stress of a pregnancy on a growing sow.
Kayleigh
Sent from my GT-9300 using proboards
|
|
|
Post by ShinyLuna on Dec 5, 2012 18:02:22 GMT
Thanks! Don't worry about the babies. We are not 100% sure if we are breeding. 6 months is a long time to think and research everything. We are getting them to be a good breeding pair, but like I said, we want to be sure about everything first.
Thanks for the advice.
|
|