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Post by elisharenee on Jun 23, 2017 1:05:52 GMT
Hello, we are preparing to rescue a couple of Guinea pigs from a local shelter. We are setting up a 2X4 C&C cage with a wide loft. We have had Timothy hay around the house to make sure no one is allergic to it. ☺
My questions, is there a preferred gender for kids to handle? Such as their temperament. Our kids our 18, 14, 9 and almost 5. Very mature boys and sweet with animals.
I have been studying up on their nutrition and care. I was wondering if the colorful dyed wooden chews are dangerous? Should we stay away from that? We purchased a bungalow made from Timothy hay, and we have fleece bedding. We stayed away from plastic feeders and homed because that doesn't seem good for them to chew on.
Please let me know if there are any products we should stay clear from.
Elisha
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Post by Bean on Jun 23, 2017 8:03:38 GMT
Hello and welcome to Wheekers! This is a great page for ideas on toys/ entertainment - most of which can be made from things you have at home. It also tells you what to avoid. I don't think there's a major difference in temperament between the sexes. Guinea pigs are generally creatures who are happy to have lots of handling, and it sounds like your boys will be great at getting the guinea pigs to trust them. I have two females which both came from homes where very young children were allowed to handle them unsupervised. So at first when they came to us they were very reluctant to be picked up, and just didn't have that trust when they were being handled. But it really didn't take them long to be won round, and they're really relaxed now. We also have two boys who we've had since they were young. Both have always been very mellow and trusting, but while one will flop out on your lap happily (until he needs the loo - then he starts getting fidgety!), the other is just king of the explorers, so sitting still simply isn't on his agenda! He loves being out and interacting though, and my kids find it hilarious to have him jumping and climbing all over them! Another fantastic thing about visiting a shelter is that you can meet the guinea pigs first and find out about their personalities. Good call making sure no one has a hay allergy first too - not many people think of that! Please keep us posted!
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Post by elisharenee on Jun 23, 2017 15:12:13 GMT
Hello and welcome to Wheekers! This is a great page for ideas on toys/ entertainment - most of which can be made from things you have at home. It also tells you what to avoid. I don't think there's a major difference in temperament between the sexes. Guinea pigs are generally creatures who are happy to have lots of handling, and it sounds like your boys will be great at getting the guinea pigs to trust them. I have two females which both came from homes where very young children were allowed to handle them unsupervised. So at first when they came to us they were very reluctant to be picked up, and just didn't have that trust when they were being handled. But it really didn't take them long to be won round, and they're really relaxed now. We also have two boys who we've had since they were young. Both have always been very mellow and trusting, but while one will flop out on your lap happily (until he needs the loo - then he starts getting fidgety!), the other is just king of the explorers, so sitting still simply isn't on his agenda! He loves being out and interacting though, and my kids find it hilarious to have him jumping and climbing all over them! Another fantastic thing about visiting a shelter is that you can meet the guinea pigs first and find out about their personalities. Good call making sure no one has a hay allergy first too - not many people think of that! Please keep us posted! Thank you so much for the information!
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 23, 2017 16:24:08 GMT
Hello and welcome Glad you found a rescue, and are getting your piggies there. Unlike stores, rescues make sure they're pigs are as healthy as it's possible to be, so you should at least start off with healthy pigs One thing I've found about bonded pairs, which you often find in rescues, is that when being held, they like to be able to see each other. It's just a matter of holding them so they face each other, rather than away from each other. If you get two pigs and bond them yourself, that doesn't seem to be as important. I agree with Bean that sex doesn't determine their personality. Hold them. Make sure they aren't going to have a meltdown, and that they aren't aggressive or nippy. When you get them home, try to start them off with an environment similar to what they had at the shelter. Mine came from a cage full of hay, so that's what they got here. Once they settled in, it wasn't important for them to be able to hide in the hay, and I used a lot less. The plastic houses aren't really a chewing problem, as long as they are the high impact plastic. Wooden houses, hay houses, anything that allows them to chew and keep their teeth worn down, is good. The colored wooden chews should be colored with vegetible dye, which is harmless. Just check the packaging. I haven't found any of my pigs were ever interested in store bought toys, but they love cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls and paper bags. I think those items make a lot of cool noise when chewed.
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Post by elisharenee on Jun 23, 2017 16:30:17 GMT
Hello and welcome Glad you found a rescue, and are getting your piggies there. Unlike stores, rescues make sure they're pigs are as healthy as it's possible to be, so you should at least start off with healthy pigs One thing I've found about bonded pairs, which you often find in rescues, is that when being held, they like to be able to see each other. It's just a matter of holding them so they face each other, rather than away from each other. If you get two pigs and bond them yourself, that doesn't seem to be as important. I agree with Bean that sex doesn't determine their personality. Hold them. Make sure they aren't going to have a meltdown, and that they aren't aggressive or nippy. When you get them home, try to start them off with an environment similar to what they had at the shelter. Mine came from a cage full of hay, so that's what they got here. Once they settled in, it wasn't important for them to be able to hide in the hay, and I used a lot less. The plastic houses aren't really a chewing problem, as long as they are the high impact plastic. Wooden houses, hay houses, anything that allows them to chew and keep their teeth worn down, is good. The colored wooden chews should be colored with vegetible dye, which is harmless. Just check the packaging. I haven't found any of my pigs were ever interested in store bought toys, but they love cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls and paper bags. I think those items make a lot of cool noise when chewed. Thank you for the great tips!!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jun 24, 2017 13:18:33 GMT
Welcome to Wheekers love.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by elisharenee on Jun 24, 2017 16:25:37 GMT
We have the cage ready! We just need to add a couple of tunnels/ cozie sacks and food. We will be adopting our piggies today!
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 24, 2017 23:47:47 GMT
Love it I think the piggies will, too
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Post by elisharenee on Jun 24, 2017 23:57:35 GMT
We have Percy and Annabeth. 8 month old girls. So far they seem terrified and hiding in a corner. We're letting them be in their cage and hopefully the shock wears off. They are super sweet though.
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 25, 2017 0:04:54 GMT
Gorgeous Jo just got new piggies, too, and hers are also settling in.
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Post by elisharenee on Jun 25, 2017 0:09:37 GMT
Gorgeous Jo just got new piggies, too, and hers are also settling in. Thank you! 😊
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Post by Bean on Jun 25, 2017 8:10:36 GMT
Oh they are adorable - keep a close eye on the one with the half black and half white face as that's a particular weakness of mine, so I might accidentally pignap her! (Glad I'm not the only one who gives female pigs boys' names too! My kids named our current lot, and didn't continue my tradition, but I always did that before!)
Great cage too. It's totally normal for new pigs to be timid and skittish, just act normally around them and they'll soon get used to all the noises and movements that are normal for your house. After allowing them a short time to settle in, I get right on with the handling (which I always pair with veggie bribes!) so they get used to me as soon as possible. Getting them both out together will probably help reassure them at first, but I'm sure you'll all be winning them over in no time!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jun 25, 2017 14:18:08 GMT
They are just gorgeous love, thank you for sharing such lovely photos. Mine are little babies and very nervous but I really hope that they grow out of it with lots of love and attention.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Jun 25, 2017 14:19:04 GMT
We have Percy and Annabeth. 8 month old girls. So far they seem terrified and hiding in a corner. I can't believe how much Percy looks like a mirror image of my Oscar:
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Post by elisharenee on Jun 25, 2017 17:41:07 GMT
We have Percy and Annabeth. 8 month old girls. So far they seem terrified and hiding in a corner. I can't believe how much Percy looks like a mirror image of my Oscar: Aww, they really do!! Oscar is so cute!
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Post by elisharenee on Jun 25, 2017 17:46:39 GMT
Oh they are adorable - keep a close eye on the one with the half black and half white face as that's a particular weakness of mine, so I might accidentally pignap her! (Glad I'm not the only one who gives female pigs boys' names too! My kids named our current lot, and didn't continue my tradition, but I always did that before!) Great cage too. It's totally normal for new pigs to be timid and skittish, just act normally around them and they'll soon get used to all the noises and movements that are normal for your house. After allowing them a short time to settle in, I get right on with the handling (which I always pair with veggie bribes!) so they get used to me as soon as possible. Getting them both out together will probably help reassure them at first, but I'm sure you'll all be winning them over in no time! Thank you! Yes, my 9 year old ( who is responsible for getting us into adopting our piggies ) is a huge Percy Jackson/ Greek mythology fan. He was set on the name Percy no matter what! 😄 I think our ladies are doing amazing today and adapting perfectly! They are enjoying eating veggies out of our hands. We have been giving them Lot's of quiet time too.
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Post by elisharenee on Jun 25, 2017 17:48:08 GMT
They are just gorgeous love, thank you for sharing such lovely photos. Mine are little babies and very nervous but I really hope that they grow out of it with lots of love and attention. Hugs Jo xx Thank you so much. Good luck with your cuties, too! ❤
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jun 25, 2017 21:10:23 GMT
OMG....they are so cute!!! Your cage looks amazing too. Lucky girls ❤️
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jun 26, 2017 8:09:07 GMT
You are welcome hunni, so far so good.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by Bean on Jun 26, 2017 8:25:31 GMT
Oh I have an avid Percy Jackson/ Greek mythology fan too!
Glad the girls are continuing to settle in well. (And yes, Percy and Oscar were definitely separated at birth!)
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