angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Oct 12, 2011 0:01:26 GMT
Some of you know the story on how I got my piggies but for those who dont, long story short, they came to me in horrible condition and already pregnant.
They have in the past always eaten their babies I am wondering if they are likely to do so again? They are now on proper diet that previous litters they were not, and the father is no longer housed with the girls.
And if they do eat thier babies, there would still be some signs that they have delivered?
I have no idea how far along they are, at least 5 weeks.
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Post by dkwannabe on Oct 12, 2011 4:50:24 GMT
Oftentimes mothers eat their young during the cleaning process. When a mother is cleaning her pups, she listens for squeaks to know when she's nipping. So if the young were already stillborn, that could result in eating the young. Don't know if that works for your case, but it's a possibility.
Typically, guinea pigs don't eat their young, so it is very intriguing that yours have.
Good luck with this litter!
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Oct 12, 2011 16:52:18 GMT
Yes. When they were eating their babies they were not with me. They were living in horrible conditions, 3 of them in a small pet store cage that was not kept clean and they were very malnourished fed only iceburg lettuce and oranges no hay or pellets or any other veggies. I am hopeing that with the proper nutrition and care that they will not eat them this time.
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Post by Kayleigh on Oct 12, 2011 20:25:03 GMT
Its usually advised not to breed from a sow if she eats her young. Its a very uncommon thing for guinea pigs to do because the pups are born "ready to go" The eating is usually an aggression thing (so iv been told) and the sow isnt sure what to do so eats them. Some sows just arent cut out for motherhood and mothernature kicks in, in a strange cruel way.
Best of luck though if you do/have bred her.
Kayleigh
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Oct 13, 2011 13:55:51 GMT
No, I dont intend on breeding them. I have separated the boar. I was going to get him fixed and put him back with the girls but he seems very happy on his own so I think I will leave him be.
I just helped recue them from being drown (the previous owner was trying to breed them but since they always ate their babies he was going to kill them) and in doing so took on 3 piggies and two of which are pregnant and I wouldnt be surprised if they had litters right before getting pregnant but I dont know for sure. One of the girls had very little hair when I got them. It has now grown back.
I have no experience in breeding guinea pigs but with the situation I have done a lot of research but of course still have questions.
I am trying my best to give them a good home that they deserve. And really hope that they dont eat their babies again. Even if their babies survive I wont be letting them breed again. There are already way too many unwanted pets in this world.
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Post by Kayleigh on Oct 13, 2011 18:13:11 GMT
You have done a great thing taking them in. Well done. I disagree with breeding from unsuitable and unhealthy animals. Also with breeding for profit.
I hope your girls do well and thrive. Im sure they are much happier now.
Kayleigh
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Post by Orlaith on Oct 14, 2011 9:32:04 GMT
A lot of rodents have a built-in instinct to eat their young if they are in bad conditions. The reasoning is that this allows them to conserve nutrients to try again when conditions are right. Given the horrible conditions your pigs arrived from, it's not surprising that the poor things ate their babies, they must have been so stressed and frightened.
Fingers crossed that now they're in a good home with you, they'll be a bit more relaxed and not feel so stressed that they feel the need to do that again.
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Katie
Special Piggy
Posts: 321
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Post by Katie on Oct 14, 2011 12:34:40 GMT
I know about hamsters eating there babies and it tends to be if they are threatened and like orlaith said if they are in bad conditions. I would assume its the same instants here and probably won't happen again as long as they are in better conditions and dont feel threatened.
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Oct 14, 2011 15:19:50 GMT
Thanks. That's what I hope for. They are in much better condition now then they were and are becoming curious of people rather than afraid. They used to shreik when they heard me coming and hide. Now they wheek and are up at the cage door waiting for their food or some run around time. Thier coats are all softer and Daisy's has grown in, she was almost hairless 6 weeks ago. Even Donald has put on some weight! He likes to popcorn around a lot, especially first thing in the morning  By thier actions I think they are much happier now. They used to be housed on home made woodchips if you can call them that. They are now on fleece so much more comfortable for them. I keep trying to feel their bellies to get somewhat of an idea of how close they are to delivering but since they were so terrified of people I let them decide what I can and can not do with them and they dont seem comfortable with me feeling their belleis so it has been tough.... |
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Post by Orlaith on Oct 17, 2011 12:12:35 GMT
You're right not to force them, they've been through a lot and they might not be ready for you feeling their bellies, especially since a lot of piggies don't like to be touched there anyway.
It sounds like they're really coming out of their shells with you, you're doing a great job. Well done for rescuing them from such a heartless person.
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Oct 30, 2011 2:22:35 GMT
I thought I would try and put pictures to show you thier progress. Here is Daisy from the first night to now...  And here is all three of them,  Daisy's coat is so glossy, I think that is due to the pregnancy? I am thinking that Clover is not pregnant but I could still be wrong. She would be at least 7 1/2 weeks, same as Daisy. (Please excuse Clovers messy cage, it was right before fleece change and she is my messy one!) |
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Post by piggylover on Oct 30, 2011 9:16:44 GMT
It's amazing what a bit of food and love can do they look great
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Post by dkwannabe on Oct 30, 2011 16:58:59 GMT
I'm glad that they are doing well. Keep us posted.
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Nov 17, 2011 0:02:57 GMT
Babies on the way!!! So far there are 2, one not even clean yet!  Not sure which of the sows is the new Mommy yet as they were both cleaning babies... |
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 17, 2011 20:29:06 GMT
Thats fantastic news. Would love to see some sneeky snaps!!!
Kayleigh
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Nov 17, 2011 20:44:03 GMT
Here is 3 of 5. Please excuse the mess, I couldnt clean that area of the cage, Mom's are being very protective. I think this is just one litter and another yet to come but am not sure whos they are as both girls are cleaning and feeding all of them. And I cant get a really good look because the girls are nervous so I'm not pushing them...  |
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 17, 2011 21:08:31 GMT
Oh wow look at the coat on the front black one. Looks teddy like!!! I hope mum and pups all thrive over night. They look gorgeous!! A huge congratulations
Kayleigh
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Nov 17, 2011 21:59:24 GMT
Yeah, there is a black and white one with a coat like that, looks just like a little teddy bear! So cute! I'm so glad I was able to get their health up that they could finally have a healthy litter, they seem very happy about it too |
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Post by Orlaith on Nov 18, 2011 10:28:07 GMT
They're gorgeous! Hehe, mum really looks like "Hey! What are you doing taking pictures?!"
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Post by dkwannabe on Nov 19, 2011 1:15:01 GMT
They are beautiful!
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Nov 19, 2011 4:07:31 GMT
Cage cleaning day I got a picture of all 5! Both Mom's have delivered so it is good knowing that in rescuing 3 I didnt end up with 20! I've seen all the babies eat and a couple I've seen drink from their water bottle. How much extra fresh veggies should I be feeding?  |
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Nov 19, 2011 4:09:13 GMT
And that little black crinkely coat one is soo friendly! I think we will be keeping that one |
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 20, 2011 19:30:29 GMT
I wouldnt worry about feeding extra just yet, they are still a little young to be eating the veg themselves. They will nibble ect. Keep them on good dry food and lots of hay. Chop veggies small to give the pups a little nibble. But it will more than likely be the mum eating the most just now.
Have you sexed the youngsters yet?
Kayleigh
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angey
Baby Piggy
Posts: 46
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Post by angey on Nov 21, 2011 0:07:32 GMT
No I havent sexed them yet. Soon. I need to look into that more.
The babies have nibbled on veggies but havent eaten much, mostly just hay. I havent seen them eat the pebbles yet.
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Post by dkwannabe on Nov 21, 2011 1:57:46 GMT
Those are some gorgeous pups.
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 21, 2011 8:03:58 GMT
Im glad they are all doing well. They are lovely looking pups
Kayleigh
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Post by Orlaith on Nov 22, 2011 10:14:59 GMT
Very cute! Lovely colours. I love the crinkley one!
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