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Post by oreosmom on Aug 10, 2013 22:32:22 GMT
OK, so I just got on to see if I could get the opinion of someone more experienced as to whether or not our little piggy is pregnant. But as I'm sitting her holding her, I felt little kicks so I'm pretty sure that would be a confirmation of my suspicions? There isn't really anything else that would feel like that, is there? So I talked to the breeder we got Oreo from and she said awhile ago that pregnancy wasn't out of the question. Her daughter had let the guinea pigs out for some play time and had thought one of the boys was a girl so she knew for sure that Oreo had spent at least one afternoon shortly before we got her (July 10) with a male. Even though this wasn't planned, we're starting to get a wee bit excited. At the moment, I guess my big question is when can you normally feel the babies first kick? We don't have a male, so we know she's at least a month along, but it is possible she had contact with a male before that. Here are some pictures I took a couple days ago when I first really noticed that she was getting bigger. The little pooch to the sides is getting a little more pronounced. I'll add some more pictures later as she gets closer. You can see a little pooch. At first I thought it might just be an illusion because her rosettes make her fur poof right there. And I thought she might be getting fat because she sure loves the grasses and we're feeding them a little alfalfa every day because the other one is only two months. And I figured so long as Oreo might be pregnant, a little would help. If she didn't turn out to be pregnant, I hoped feeding her a few ounces every day for two months wouldn't matter much. And here are her little teats all popped out. And her nails that I apparently need to trim. Those were both taken 8/8. I'll take some more later. And I suppose I should weigh her, too. I don't have a beginning weight, but at least I'll be able to confirm whether or not I'm imagining that she's getting bigger!
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 11, 2013 8:31:40 GMT
I would say she is pregnant with also looking at the other photo on your other post, also if you feel little kicks etc it is a good sign. My advice would be to try to pick her up as little as you can so you have no chance in hurting her babies or stressing her out. Also I'm not sure if your cage is outside or inside but I'd advise if your cage is outside to put it somewhere safe inside a shed or your house during her special time.
Other than the babies kicking you just now have to wait until she is ready, when she gets nearer the time her pelvic bones will start to widen and you should feel a little gap at the back of the area where a tail roundabouts could be this is a sign that she could be close to giving birth. Just make sure you feed her a good variety of foods with all her vitamins in and her dried food and water is topped up and that she has a nice place to sleep (If you put a lot of hay in the bedding area you will find sometimes they make a nest which is a key sign of coming close to delivering).
Also when I used to breed I used to remove all hideys etc, and place hay as a bedding. By doing that I was able to see without going into the cage if she had delivered and actually managed to see the end of one of my girls giving birth which is truly amazing! So just a tip there is you feel you would like a chance of seeing that.
I hope everything goes well with her birth and would love to see more pictures when you are able.
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 11, 2013 12:32:07 GMT
Thanks! Her cage is inside. We have them on a table near a window so the kids can sit on a stool to watch them, but not disturb them too much. As for diet, this is what we're doing and have been since I first suspected something was going on:
Piggy pellets (I think Oxbow?) Hay rack with a bit of alfalfa and then stuffed with fresh grasses, including dandelion greens, clover, plantain and little sprigs of fresh herbs. I've been taking them out to play and graze a little every evening after it cools off. And for treats they get an assortment of cucumber, zucchini (though they only chew on the rind and the decorate the cage with it), carrot, garden fresh leaf lettuce, occasional bits of apple an asparagus spear now and again and we gave them a bit of watermelon rind once. Oreo LOVED that!
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 11, 2013 12:47:44 GMT
Oh, and I have one question. There cage has a little platform that is about four inches off the ground. We put the hay and treats up there just to encourage them to exercise a little and Oreo loves sleeping on top of the platform (I think it is cooler up there).
Anyway, should we take it out until after the babies are born? Or put the treats and hay somewhere else so she doesn't have to go up there to get to it?
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 11, 2013 14:48:02 GMT
I would personally take it out just incase, it isn't big but at the same time if she falls awkward it could hurt her babies also when she gives birth you really don't want her to choose that as her nesting spot as she could give birth there. Also tomato is a fab source of vitamin C for her if you ever have some to put in; apart from that you seem ready for the birth. I know it is early days but a quick tip (You may already know but it doesn't hurt me saying again) If you do end up having Boars in the litter they have to be separate from the Sows at 3-4 weeks just so you know. I hope everything goes well and I really look forwards to seeing the babies
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 11, 2013 20:58:21 GMT
Thank you! I've given them some bits of tomato, but nights have been cold our tomatoes stopped ripening! I have like 40 great big green tomatoes that have been like that for a couple weeks. The speed those little boys reach maturity is always a good reminder. I have a cage, I just hope there aren't any more than two or they won't be comfortable for long! Though I suppose I could do something to make our big cage work. It's full of chickens right now and is an outdoor cage with no tray or anything, but I could make a couple fleece bottoms to keep their toes off the wire.
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 12, 2013 1:10:28 GMT
More piggy chubs. The above pictures were taken 8/8. These were taken on 8/11. Nice top view: And a back view of fluffy piggy bums. Cookie (next to her) is only two months old.
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 12, 2013 4:56:41 GMT
Ohhh yeah shes pregnant alright you can't mistake the bum of a pregnant sow haha! I recon you may have about 3-4 or 2 big ones by the looks of her. Will you be keeping cookie in with her during her pregnancy? I know many people do keep two sows together while they are breeding. I never used to I was always worried one would get upset, but each to there own. Also I had a boy called cookie is your cookie a girl? Haha I was just thinking of the name, I know she probably is haha!
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 12, 2013 5:35:44 GMT
Ohhh yeah shes pregnant alright you can't mistake the bum of a pregnant sow haha! I recon you may have about 3-4 or 2 big ones by the looks of her. Will you be keeping cookie in with her during her pregnancy? I know many people do keep two sows together while they are breeding. I never used to I was always worried one would get upset, but each to there own. Also I had a boy called cookie is your cookie a girl? Haha I was just thinking of the name, I know she probably is haha! Yeah, Cookie is a girl. At least she better be! I had assumed we would keep them together, but I'll read a little more now that you asked. When I was a kid, I had a guinea pig that got pregnant because her female friend turned out to be a male. She killed the first one because she totally freaked out. At the time, I read that they're less likely to panic if they've seen a delivery by a more experienced sow. We don't have any plans to breed Cookie, but from that I thought it was good to just keep them together.
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 12, 2013 18:59:15 GMT
There are pros and cons; me personally I had a very bad experience with leaving to sows together when one was giving birth and it ended in 2 babies dying and nearly the other two as well...So I have now always chosen to let expecting mums live alone and have privacy and that has always worked for me. But I know a good few breeders who always keep multiple sows in with their expectant mother and they do great. My advice is to monitor their behaviour see that there is no signs of violence and that they are happy together, this could be a good experience for cookie but at the same time if oreo gets agitated with cookie being around then you may have to think about separating them until after she has reared her young. We all have common sense and we know what is good or bad behaviour so do what you feel is right for you and we will be on here if you have any more questions I'm looking forwards to hearing more about Oreos pregnancy.
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 12, 2013 19:13:26 GMT
I may just get one of the other cages and set them next to each other so they can visit through the bars. Oreo does seem to want her space, though she isn't particularly cranky. She snuggles Cookie when they're outside, but in the cage, Cookie is usually in the tunnel and Oreo is usually just sprawled out in the corner. I've never seen her scold Cookie, but Cookie doesn't go over there when she's resting, either. I might have tried waiting and seeing but this weekend is the county fair, next weekend is the state fair dog show and the weekend after that is the state fair chicken show.
We have someone watching them, but it isn't the same, you know?
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 12, 2013 20:23:40 GMT
Yes I agree with you it is very daunting thinking they may end up bickering and stressing each other out and the person looking after them might not notice it. I would personally also put their cages like side by side so they can see each other etc, as it will put your mind at ease that they cannot hurt/stress each other out.
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 14, 2013 22:40:00 GMT
Here she is again, just chilling in her favorite spot in the cage. She just came in from grazing so is full and happy. Except she isn't quite as relaxed with me taking pictures. Normally she is rolled more on her side and it makes her look REALLY fat! Taken 8/14
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Post by alexas on Aug 15, 2013 0:41:19 GMT
Oh my! Look at that beautiful girl! Can't wait to see your babies!
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 15, 2013 7:40:00 GMT
Ah this part is so exciting I love guessing how many they are going to have I reckon 4 what does everyone else think? I think I am just as excited as if she was my own haha! I miss this part soooo much!!!
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 15, 2013 11:53:24 GMT
That's about what my facebook poll came to. Of course, people guessed anywhere between one and six. My piggy I had as a teenager always twinned and I was never quite sure she was actually pregnant. She only had a few litters, but that makes me think that either I wasn't very observant, or Oreo has to be having more than that!
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 29, 2013 16:12:51 GMT
Gave Oreo a bath last night and I'm pretty sure we felt four little babies. Felt some good kicks, anyway!
We're getting hit with a heat wave now, too, which I'm sure she really appreciates seeing as we don't have air conditioning. It's supposed to get to 99 today and 105 tomorrow! We moved them down to the basement for now and will probably keep her there until she delivers. It's quieter, but they don't get as much attention sitting down in the laundry room as here in our front room!
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 30, 2013 15:04:43 GMT
Even though they won't get as much attention keeping them out of the heat is the best thing to do. I hope Oreo is ok and gets through the heat wave with no problem! Keep us updated!
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Post by oreosmom on Sept 2, 2013 18:58:57 GMT
Mama had three little babies! I'll get some pictures soon. I need some help figuring out boys and girls, too, because my husband said we can keep any females but need to try to rehome the boys so we don't have any more surprises.
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Post by alexas on Sept 2, 2013 20:16:58 GMT
Congratulations!!!
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Post by oreosmom on Sept 2, 2013 21:51:12 GMT
Thanks! And here's a family photo. Mama and babies are doing well, as you can see, and enjoying their first outing together!
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Post by petlover2011 on Sept 3, 2013 0:12:41 GMT
What an adorable little family! Congratulations!
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Post by wiggypiggys on Sept 3, 2013 7:19:06 GMT
I have commented on all the other photos too! I still can't get over how cute they are!!!
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Post by oreosmom on Sept 3, 2013 15:59:19 GMT
I have commented on all the other photos too! I still can't get over how cute they are!!! Baby piggies definitely have that going for them! The little tricolored one was just running around the keyboard and wasn't even heavy enough to press down any of the keys. The kids are having so much fun with them. We bought a large fire ring yesterday to use a more secure outdoor pen than the rain gutter things we were using more as a boundary to tell the dogs where they could and couldn't go. Today we're making a lid for it with some left over fencing and I think these little things are going to be pretty spoiled. They already like zucchini slices and they're so cute when they graze. The kids put a little dollhouse in the pen for them to play in and one of them would poke her head out of the door to grab a blade of grass and then would go back in to eat it.
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Post by Orlaith on Sept 12, 2013 8:24:30 GMT
Gorgeous piggies! They look so soft!
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fee
Junior Piggy
Panda the black & white
Posts: 63
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Post by fee on Sept 13, 2013 1:09:54 GMT
Beautiful babies.
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