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Post by jozette on Aug 11, 2013 21:51:38 GMT
I moved my piggies into a c&c type cage about a month ago. After I put them all in I thought the divider was solid but when I went back into their room is was knocked over.I quickly separated the boys and girls, I figured it had only been knocked over for about 5 minutes so I didnt think much could have happened. But since Milo passed away I've been handling Milly much more and about two days ago I noticed she was pregnant again, it feels like she only has two or three kids in there. I have a couple of concerns though.
My first concern being that this will be her 4th litter in a little over a year. I know B2B breeding isnt healthy and I kept them separate after the second litter but then my niece thought they were lonely while I was shopping and put them together. That was the most recent litter which is almost 4 months old now but still. I figured that when Milo passed I wouldnt have to be worry about anymore pregnancies. She is very healthy but I'm worried that so much strain on her body will catch up to her.
My second concern is that Mocha was with her as well when the separator was knocked over and hes her son. So on top of the B2B breeding this litter could also be her sons which I know cant be good. I'm worried and could use some advise or words of wisdom or something to put me at ease.
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Post by alexas on Aug 11, 2013 23:13:44 GMT
Awww. Good luck to you. I don't know anything about breeding, but babies are always a blessing.
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 12, 2013 5:11:58 GMT
All I can say is you have to be prepared for the worst and sometimes the best...B2B breeding is something not even most breeders do if they can avoid it and can cause mutation even if done carefully in some cases. My advice would be what is done is done now and looking back and crying won't change the situation, we have to learn from what we have done and put it into action for next time. I would suggest for the future never put boars and sows in the same cage with a divider you are just asking for trouble, if you are not 100% sure you can push a divider with a good force before it comes down then it is not safe at all. Also this being her 4th litter could be a breeze of she may not be able to cope, likewise you will need to deal with the situation however it pans out, I personally have never let a sow breed 3 times in one year at most 2 and normally I would only breed once a year so I can not give you too much advice then from what I have heard about it being hard on the Guinea Pig... My biggest advice would be, Buy two cages for girls and boys to avoid this ever happening again, be prepared for the worst as well as the best. I wish I could give you happier advice but due to the situation it could be risky so just need to see how it all pans out and we will take it one step at a time. I hope this helps
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Post by jozette on Aug 12, 2013 20:02:52 GMT
I already separated everyone, the girls kept the bigger open area and Mocha got moved to a cage since hes alone now. Anyway she is still acting totally normal. I upped literally everything she got before. she gets twice the hay more kale any fruits she'll eat and more. I got special vitamins for pregnant guineas. The only thing I've seen her do thats weird is she tore open her favorite pillow to live in it. She almost never leaves it now. While its adorable I'm kind of bothered by it.
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Post by wiggypiggys on Aug 12, 2013 20:14:16 GMT
She could be nesting (Some Sows do this through their whole pregnancy)It is also very good that you have separated them and are making sure to feed her more and give her special attention. I hope everything goes well with her and if you have any questions we are always here to help
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Post by oreosmom on Aug 14, 2013 3:08:15 GMT
I had an inbreeding once when I was a kid. My boar jumped out of his cage and got to his daughter. The baby's fur was different than the other guinea pigs. Kind of coarse, but she was a sweetie and lived a long, healthy life which is the main thing. I kept her because I just didn't know if issues would pop up later and it didn't seem right to pass her on, but she was a great little piggy. I don't know that really helps, but I know that kind of breeding is called linebreeding when it is intentional and inbreeding when it is not. At least in dogs, there is more concern when siblings interbreed than parents and offspring. And you really don't worry about it as much in poultry. I am guessing the problems with guinea pigs are somewhere in between.
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Post by jozette on Aug 14, 2013 4:42:05 GMT
that makes me feel a little better actually, thank you.
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Post by Kayleigh on Aug 14, 2013 6:23:48 GMT
What special vitamins are you giving? She shouldnt need anything extra. Just her pellets, hay and fruits and veggies.
With regards to b2b breeding this is when the sow is rebred just as shes litfered. Your sow has had a couple of months rest from weanung so should be fine.
I also wouldnt worry too much that it may have been her son that caught her, the offspring should be no different to other matings. Unless of course the sow or boar themselves carry something undesired.
Best of luck with her
Kayleigh
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Post by jozette on Aug 15, 2013 21:09:32 GMT
their vitamin drops my vet recommended as a precautionary measure for her and the babies. speaking of the kids, one lately has been kicking up a storm. she is only about half way done with this pregnancy I've never been able to see kids kick this early. could something he wrong?
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Post by Kayleigh on Aug 16, 2013 5:59:42 GMT
I would personally stop the vitamins. Sows do not need anything extra and neither do her pups. I dont like to supplement uneccessarily.
Good hay, veg and feed is all she needs. Kale, parsley and spinach are l good calcuim sources too. Bell peppers, sprouts and oranges for vit c.
Best of luck with her.
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Post by Kayleigh on Aug 16, 2013 6:00:41 GMT
And i doubt anything is wrong. She could have a small litter. Or could be further along than you thought. Movement can be felt usually from 6/7 weeks
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