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Post by Kayleigh on Jun 15, 2012 17:29:27 GMT
I thought it would be helpful to create a post about the breeding age, weight and of course the age old myth of pelvic bones fusing together.
First of all I must let you all know that a sows pelvic bones do NOT and will not fuse together.
As a sow matures the level of the hormone oxytocin decreases which can (not always) make it more difficult during labour, the pelvic bones become less flexible due to the decreased amount of the above hormone. However this does not mean you must breed a sow before a specific age. Pregnancy puts alot of stress on the body so its best to allow a sow to mature before breeding her.
If a sow is fit and healthy she can be bred up to the age of around 16 months (personal opinion) for the first time. I know many breeders who wait until the 15-18 month mark before breeding sows.
All sows are different and when choosing to breed you must think of the individual sow, her breed, weight and general health.
A sows weight should be at least 900grams (31.7ounces) before being paired with a boar. Sows should be fit and healthy, not overweight as this can cause complications during the pregnancy.
*Short and too the point*
Added information : Please remember to think about the pups when they are born, sows can litter between 1 - 6 pups sometimes more. Any boars will need to be removed at 3-4 weeks of age. Pups can be rehomed from 6 weeks of age, no earlier!! Please ensure they are fit, healthy and a good weight. If in doubt run them on until they are 8-12 weeks old.
Its always very helpful to have a good exotic vet, reputable breeder or rescue on hand just incase the sow has complications and you need assistance.
Any questions fire away
Kayleigh
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Katie
Special Piggy
Posts: 321
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Post by Katie on Jun 15, 2012 18:51:12 GMT
I've heard so many different things about he sow pelvic bones. And actually I know a woman who done a animal care course and she was told that the pelvic bones fuse together at 6 months! And I have a small animal care course which I am taking at home and that too say the pelvic bones fuse together! But I was sure it wasn't true.
Thanks for the info Kayleigh I'm sure it will help a lot of people :-)
Katie
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Post by Kayleigh on Jun 15, 2012 19:28:28 GMT
When i done my animal care course we were taught this also, but after questioning it and putting my findings forward my tutor changed his views.
The only recorded research of bones fusing..the test subjects were boars and the article very outdated.
Bones fusing is something that is in many books etc too.
Yet in my experience breeding and speaking to those who have been breeding 25yrs plus have successfully bred older sows (12 months +) and found they done far better than the younger sows both rearing the litter and they themselves kept condition.
This is why forums etc are very useful. To help educate everyone and share experiences.
Kayleigh
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Post by abberdean on Jun 15, 2012 21:43:44 GMT
Thank you so much for the information. It is always nice to be able to pick other peoples brains. I cant believe that the pelvic bone test subjects were boars!
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Post by newjohn on Jun 17, 2012 2:46:01 GMT
Thanks for this information.
One other question on breeding ages.
At what age should we stop breeding our Female Guinea Pigs ?
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Post by Kayleigh on Jun 17, 2012 7:54:20 GMT
Personally I wouldnt take more than 3 litters from a sow. And i give my sows at least 12 weeks to recondition after weaning the previous litter before pairing. Im never in a rush to re breed so its often longer.
Going by that id say retire sows at 4 years old, but again all sows are different so you must consider tue other aspects ie how the sow was during pregnancy, how the delivery went and her general well being. if a sow had complications i often retire them early for their own safety.
Kayleigh
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Post by newjohn on Jun 17, 2012 14:57:18 GMT
Kayleigh
Thank You for the information
Our Guinea Pigs are our Pets that we Breed every once in awhile.
I was just worried of the Older Sows ( 1 1/2 )
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Post by Orlaith on Jun 17, 2012 18:19:38 GMT
Thanks for a great post, Kayleigh.
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Post by lacey81 on Jul 10, 2012 2:17:21 GMT
i have a female skinny she's about 11 months old and a skinny boar he's about 5 months old....so you think it would be ok to breed them, i don't want anything bad to happen to her, how big are the risks with her age?
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Post by Kayleigh on Jul 10, 2012 6:41:51 GMT
If the sow is fit and healthy theres no reason she cant be paired now. Check her weight and general well being. Ultimately its your decison and problems can arrise during any breeding of any sow..any age ect. So research prior is needed.
Your boars a little young to breed from but again its all what you feel is best. If hes a good size and gets it right it will work. Im sure hes capable just keep an eye on them if you do choose to pair.
I find its a good idea to take a weight of each pig prior to pairing then keep track of their weight throughout.
Best of luck.
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Post by derralou on Jul 10, 2012 8:15:33 GMT
i tend to go by the wieght method rather than age, although i have had young sows running with a boar ive never had one actually "catch" and get pregnant before they have got to about 7 months old. with every litter there are risks of labour complications just as there is with every species. Ive had maiden litters as young as 5 months and was a fabulous mother, but ive also had an 18 month old sow litter with her second litter and refused to nurse any of them...
in 15 years i have never had a fused pelvis, ive had difficult births with varying outcomes.
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Post by lacey81 on Jul 10, 2012 19:50:02 GMT
is there any indications that a skinny pig has had a previous litter?
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Post by Kayleigh on Jul 10, 2012 20:25:33 GMT
I dont think there are any real indications if any sow has littered previously.
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Post by lacey81 on Jul 10, 2012 20:33:36 GMT
thank you!
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Post by cavylover12 on Jul 16, 2012 7:51:48 GMT
I have a boar that is 6 months and every 9-13 days he will go nuts trying to breed and then he will adjaculate. Not sure if I spelled that correctly... But after that he stops mating all at once and then the next 9-13 days it starts up again. Is this normal?
I also have a sow which I got July 4th. She's really healthy. But when we got her she was cramped into a tiny cage with her "boyfriend" and her two sons. They weren't making a fuss over mating or anything. They just sat there. She's pretty chubby but I can't feel any babies. I don't know if their pelvis bones separate or not when she's in late pregnancy. I don't know if she's pregnant or not. I am breeding my piggies. Anyways, I've charted her weight.
7/9- 1.965
7/11- 1.985
7/15- 2.17
That's what I've got so far. I've noticed she eats and drinks a lot and doesnt popcorn or run around anymore. She's in quite a pear shape. Is there any way I can tell she is pregnant? By the way, she's two years old at least but has had a litter before.
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Post by Kayleigh on Jul 16, 2012 16:45:00 GMT
I have a boar that is 6 months and every 9-13 days he will go nuts trying to breed and then he will adjaculate. Not sure if I spelled that correctly... But after that he stops mating all at once and then the next 9-13 days it starts up again. Is this normal? I also have a sow which I got July 4th. She's really healthy. But when we got her she was cramped into a tiny cage with her "boyfriend" and her two sons. They weren't making a fuss over mating or anything. They just sat there. She's pretty chubby but I can't feel any babies. I don't know if their pelvis bones separate or not when she's in late pregnancy. I don't know if she's pregnant or not. I am breeding my piggies. Anyways, I've charted her weight. 7/9- 1.965 7/11- 1.985 7/15- 2.17 That's what I've got so far. I've noticed she eats and drinks a lot and doesnt popcorn or run around anymore. She's in quite a pear shape. Is there any way I can tell she is pregnant? By the way, she's two years old at least but has had a litter before. The thing you describe about your boar is very strange, iv never had this with any boars i have. Is he paired with another pig? Or near females? With regards to your sow its highly likely she was caught by one of the boars, and looking at the weight increase id say yes shes pregnant and due fairly soon. If she has gone pear shaped, you should be able to feel pups inside her at this stage. How long was she in with her sons and the other boar? Where these pigs rescues? Do you have a picture of her? Keep a close eye on her and make sure shes left in peace. |
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Post by cavylover12 on Jul 17, 2012 5:03:28 GMT
He is paired with my sow, who I think is pregnant. She's been living with the family I adopted her from for about 2 years and they say the babies are 3-6 months. She's been living with all three of them. But they simply just sat there and didnt even try to mate.
I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while.
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Post by Kayleigh on Jul 17, 2012 5:59:47 GMT
You must seperate the sows from boars otherwise they will breed back to back.
You shouldnt keep sows with boars unless your breeding and once the sow is pregnant the boar must be removed.
Are these intentional breedings?
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Post by cavylover12 on Jul 18, 2012 6:36:36 GMT
I don't have the babies, I saw the babies with her when I got her but I only got her. Then I paired her with my boar that I had. Yes, I'm purposely breeding.
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Post by Kayleigh on Jul 18, 2012 6:41:52 GMT
I don't have the babies, I saw the babies with her when I got her but I only got her. Then I paired her with my boar that I had. Yes, I'm purposely breeding. If she is pregnant now, then the boar should be removed so that she litters alone and in peace. If the boar is left with her he will try to mate with her as soon as she has littered. |
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Post by cavylover12 on Jul 18, 2012 6:57:11 GMT
I'm going to separate them when I feel any babies kicking. Thats the thing... I don't know if she's pregnant or not, I don't feel anything but she is chubby.
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Post by Kayleigh on Jul 18, 2012 11:38:53 GMT
Beeding overweight sows isnt something that should be done, it increases the risk of toxeamia. I would strongly suggest seperating them just now, then if the sow hasnt taken already, get her fit then think about re breeding her. If they have been housed togeather for 6 weeks or so its highly likely she is pregnant.
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Post by cavylover12 on Jul 19, 2012 5:08:06 GMT
It's been 2 weeks now and I think I saw/felt a baby kicking. Her abdomen is pretty tight and tense... Like strong, not fluid like. It normally feels like just fluids inside of her..
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Post by canadiancomforts on Jul 22, 2012 23:46:46 GMT
I have to say thank you! I am a pro rescue person but understand that its still better to buy from a good breeder than a pet store (IMO). What you have explained here is VERY helpful for people thinking about breeding. I personally love the mention of how many litters to have, this shows how responsible you are. I also wanted to agree with you on the age thing. My accidental litter was with a sow 9 months of age and she did amazingly as a mom, so much so that when her daughter mysteriously passed away last year she got so stressed that she passed away (sad I know) She lived with her daughter from day one and they both passed away at ages 3 (mom) and 2 (daughter). One thing I would like to add about breeding (if I may and if you get offended please edit it out if you like  ) is that breeders should take into account that they may or may not end up with one or all babies if they do not find a good home AND Always have a cavy savvy vet lined up in case of complications. cavylover12: If you have not felt the pups kick since and her tummy is hard, my questions would be what are you feeding her? It sound to me like she may have bloat. Pregnant pigs are firm to the touch but usually when they are super pregnant (ie the last few weeks) IMO. A taught tummy says to me that there might be something else at play, ie bloat. If you feed things like broccoli or cabbage, this can cause it but other fresh foods or even too many fresh foods can cause pigs to bloat. I'm sure Kayleigh will have more advice to offers (and I hope I am not stepping out of line by posting this  ) |
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Post by cavylover12 on Jul 23, 2012 2:00:44 GMT
She and my other two pigs share a salad every day. (I'll post a picture of the bowl). The salad is usually cilantro, carrots, lettuce, and kale. That's pretty much all. Sometimes there is a bit broccoli or other stuff they should have once a month. They get unlimited regular guinea pig pellets and Timothy hay. I've felt baby kicks now. She's also quite round. She is now 2.155 pounds. Well, I weighed her only yesterday.  The paw print bowl is theirs.  This is Sparkle right now. |
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Post by canadiancomforts on Jul 23, 2012 2:34:01 GMT
Watch the kale but since you felt some kicks I would say keep an eye on it. I don't know if they can get bloat pregnant (Kayleigh?). She's so pretty!
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Post by cavylover12 on Jul 23, 2012 2:44:32 GMT
Thanks so much!! Ya... If you've checked out my post, (help on breeding!) I need help but that has pics and updates of her.
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Post by Kayleigh on Jul 23, 2012 6:34:29 GMT
I have to say thank you! I am a pro rescue person but understand that its still better to buy from a good breeder than a pet store (IMO). What you have explained here is VERY helpful for people thinking about breeding. I personally love the mention of how many litters to have, this shows how responsible you are. I also wanted to agree with you on the age thing. My accidental litter was with a sow 9 months of age and she did amazingly as a mom, so much so that when her daughter mysteriously passed away last year she got so stressed that she passed away (sad I know) She lived with her daughter from day one and they both passed away at ages 3 (mom) and 2 (daughter). One thing I would like to add about breeding (if I may and if you get offended please edit it out if you like ) is that breeders should take into account that they may or may not end up with one or all babies if they do not find a good home AND Always have a cavy savvy vet lined up in case of complications. cavylover12: If you have not felt the pups kick since and her tummy is hard, my questions would be what are you feeding her? It sound to me like she may have bloat. Pregnant pigs are firm to the touch but usually when they are super pregnant (ie the last few weeks) IMO. A taught tummy says to me that there might be something else at play, ie bloat. If you feed things like broccoli or cabbage, this can cause it but other fresh foods or even too many fresh foods can cause pigs to bloat. I'm sure Kayleigh will have more advice to offers (and I hope I am not stepping out of line by posting this ) All in input is greatly received, id rather people post their thoughts and add ins. The topic was created quickly as i didnt have much time to explain 100%. I was getting questions left right and centre about breeding, pelvic bones ect so thought id create a generic post. I myself am all for rescues and have rescued pigs myself over the years and helped many many people out. YET i still get bashed with the "bad breeder" brush by so many pro rescue / anti breeder people who dont know me, they just see that i breed so i must be a BYB and cruel to my pets. But yes a good point about the pups, ill add it into the top post : ) Thank you for your valued input |
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Post by canadiancomforts on Jul 23, 2012 7:17:09 GMT
No problem. I like helping out and if it means more good breeders who care of their breeding the better  . I'm all for good breeders, its the bad ones who do back to back breeding, breed sows that are known for complications and so on that I don't like and will try and help educate. |
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Post by cavylover12 on Jul 23, 2012 19:18:22 GMT
I'm breeding mine once and being done with breeding.
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