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Post by texasreb on Nov 28, 2012 18:38:43 GMT
I have two Guinea Pigs that were given to me as boars. The source seemed reliable and I did not do my own double checking. I'm embarrassed about this.
Well my boars have both gained weight in their lower abdomen area and I'm not too sure that they are boars at all. I suspect that they might be pregnant females.
They are skittish and hard to catch, but I did take a few pictures. One set turned out much better than the second.
Will you please help me determine whether or not I have males or females and if they are females--do they look pregnant.
Here is a link to their photobucket album. I hope the pictures are good enough to tell. I was told that they were both two year old sibling boars.
The tri-colored is Sparkle and the red is Ginger. The black is Midnight, a known male.
Thank you so much!
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 28, 2012 19:18:27 GMT
Can you post the link to the web album  I always check the sex of pigs, even if im getting them from good friends/breeders. I also show new owners how to sex and i usually have young stock to show the difference in the "growing" pig Kayleigh * ps dont worry we all make mistakes, its how we learn* |
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Post by texasreb on Nov 28, 2012 19:33:28 GMT
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 28, 2012 19:48:13 GMT
Ok got them This pig is sow- its the only clear picture. Your red/ginger pig looks female too but the pictures arent clear enough.  The below pic im sure is a sow too.  If you can get 2 good pictures of each pig that would help if your still unsure. |
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 28, 2012 19:50:52 GMT
If they have been with boars its highly likely they are inpig. In a couple of the pictures it looks like they are indeed pregnant. Oh and on a quiet note, if you havent already, they need their nails clipped, they are very long |
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Post by texasreb on Nov 28, 2012 19:53:04 GMT
Oh dear! Then I'm sure both of them are pregnant as Midnight is a confirmed (by vet) male.
What do I do now, besides separate Midnight?
Their age in unknown as is their previous breeding history.
Oh dear, dear...
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 28, 2012 19:57:31 GMT
Dont worry Yes seperate your boar. How long have you had them togeather? (might be able to work out a guesstimate due date) Keep the sows togeather and make sure they get plenty of hay, and veg and of course food. Where did you get them and how old approx are they? Kayleigh Do you only have 3 guinea pigs? The two girls and midnight? |
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Post by texasreb on Nov 28, 2012 19:59:03 GMT
Thank you for the help!
I've been working on their nails--just nipping the tips really as I don't want to quick them. They were much, MUCH longer--they actually curled into circles especially on their hinds!
They were introduced to Midnight on Sept. 25--so that is the earliest they could have been bred. Going by that date, they could be due any day now, right?
Oy. Do I need to take them to a vet? Help!
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 28, 2012 20:02:19 GMT
Just to verify as i wouldnt want you to back to back breed anyone.
Can you take a single photo of each pig, Like the first one iv posted (as thats a perfect picture, light, still, and focused)
Just to determine the sexes 100%
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 28, 2012 20:06:00 GMT
Ahh ok, then they are due from now, and can go up to two weeks ahead (approx) The same as my rex sow whose due from now also No i wouldnt stress them out by taking them to the vets. As for the nails, you can clip to just infront of the pink line you see. luckily you can see the quicks on the sows very easily. Any questions ask away Dont panic and just ensure the girls are togeather and midnight is on his own. Here to help |
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Post by texasreb on Nov 28, 2012 20:13:53 GMT
Okay thank you again!
Would it be okay to just take the ramp off of the cage and give Midnight the upstairs section and the girls the lower section? It would give Midnight a 2x2 section with a tunnel that connects to a 1x2 section. The girls would have the entire 5X2 lower section.
I guess I'll hope for a least one boy so that Midnight will have a bud!
I won't have my helper until tomorrow, but we'll try again with the photos especially of Ginger. She is the least tame/most skittish and least cooperative! I'll also nip the nails a bit more.
I'm worried about this whole older sows not being able to birth babies thing I keep reading about.
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 28, 2012 20:19:45 GMT
Aslong as midnight cannot get to the girls then its fine. Boars can be very determined!!
Dont worry to much about the sows delivering, pelvic bones do not fuse, its a decrese in oxytocin that can cause problems. If in doubt and if you catch them in labour, you can rush them to a vet if need be.
Breeding any animal, any age has risks. So i wouldnt worry to much, aslong as you do what you can and hope for the best
Kayleigh
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Post by texasreb on Nov 28, 2012 20:58:46 GMT
They are getting good food and good care--so I guess I'll just wait and hope for the best!
Thanks again for all of your help and kindness. I'll keep you posted.
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Post by Orlaith on Nov 29, 2012 12:15:29 GMT
Keep us updated on how things are going.
In the meantime I would try to find the details of a 24 hour vet, just to have the number on hand. Chances are everything will be fine and the girls will be great mums, but it can be hard to look up numbers if you're in a panic. :-)
Hehe, my first pig turned from being Zelda into Xander after a week. The pet shop swore blind he was a she and I never checked myself. So these things happen.
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Post by texasreb on Nov 29, 2012 17:50:38 GMT
I'm fairly certain (almost 100%) that Ginger is also a female. She is actually the one who looks the most pregnant. I'm hesitant to catch and flip her over as I think she is imminently due.
I took the cage apart and built Midnight his own bachelor father pad. My coroplast is cut wrong for the job, but it will work until I get another piece and cut it properly. He has a 3X2 CC cage.
The girls got the entire bottom of the original cage--it's 5x2.
I cut Midnight's nails when I moved him. I'm a bit hesitant to cut the girls' nails as it is so stressful on them. If you think it's more dangerous to not cut them--I'll get it done.
The funny thing about these girls is their names. I was so suspicious of them at first because they had feminine names (Sparkle and Ginger). The previous owner assured me that they were indeed males and showed me "proof"--we flipped them over and I got a quick lesson on gender--a lesson that turned out to be a bunch of hogwash...
Live and learn...I just hope the girls don't suffer too much from my gullibleness.
I'll update as the situation progresses.
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Post by Kayleigh on Nov 29, 2012 18:31:00 GMT
Dont worry we all trust the wrong people at some point. If the girls will sit on your lap and sit still you can clip their nails one foot at a time this way. If they are long and pointy they can be uncomfortable and id dread a sow to stand on a pup by accident and jag them. Long front nails often cause discomfort when walking.
So do you have 3 females and 1 male?
Im sure they will be fine, just ensure you speak to them and keep an eye on them. Plenty of veg and hay.
Keep us posted, its an exciting time.
Kayleigh
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Post by texasreb on Nov 29, 2012 21:05:20 GMT
I'll give it a go with their nails. You raise good points that I hadn't thought of.
I have two females, Sparkle and Ginger and one male, Midnight. So three total...that is until the babes arrive!
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