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Post by yodelpig on Aug 14, 2012 16:25:43 GMT
Welcome back. Great that your boys are coming on.
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 13, 2012 21:21:01 GMT
Hi and welcome! Loud wheeking is wanting something, but playing piggies will also make constant sounds. Here is a little introduction to sounds: jackiesguineapiggies.com/guineapigsounds.htmlHere is more abour social behaviour; dominance is at the heart of piggy society and it can take some time to settle it, especially with boys. it can look quite frightening to newbies and many tend to separate too quickly: www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm(PS: Please don't think about getting a third boy!) Unlimited hay should make up to 80% of the daily food intake, it is best to keep the guts stable and the crucial back teeth ground down. Pellets and veg should make about 10% each. Mixed veg is about 1 cupful per piggy per day; please include one high vitamin C veg like a slice of sweet pepper, a bit of broccoli (all parts) or a sprig of fresh herb like cilantro, parsley, dill, mint or basil; please vary.
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 11, 2012 16:03:31 GMT
I am sorry - that sounds strange, especially if the guinea pig is still listed... If they are not happy with you as adopters, they should give you a reason.
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 9, 2012 15:34:13 GMT
Mr Bryn Oscar, widower, 5 years, from Barnsley Animal Rescue Charity, would like to announce his marriage to Mrs Ffowlyn, divorcee, 3 years, from former Becklen GP Rescue Penrith in a very relaxed lawn ceremony. He would like to add that he is a perfectly happy "husboar" again after losing both his previous wives! Sadly, Bryn's (formerly Oscar's) prospective home pulled out at the last minute, so he has ended up with me. It was a bit hectic to organise the pick-up at a Rescue Pignic Day in nearby Doncaster last Sunday on very short notice, but Bryn has weathered the 2 1/2 hours train journey to Coventry and a vet trip to Northampton for some minor treatment well. He and Ffowlyn will form my third group, "the Tandem"
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 9, 2012 11:58:58 GMT
Hi and welcome!
Great that your boys are settling in and enjoying life!
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 9, 2012 11:57:52 GMT
Wheeky wheekday to you, Lucy!
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 9, 2012 11:52:33 GMT
Hi and welcome!
2x4 ft (8 ft square) is actually the current minimum recommendation. If you want to get boars, we recommend a minimum of 10ft square (2x5 ft). If you go C&C, you are so much more flexible and can extend easily.
It would be great if you considered rescue. Sadly, that is not as easy in the US as in Britain, but it is worth looking around for rescues and shelters within your reach.
Please get two guinea pigs of the same gender; piggies are group animals and not really wired to be on their own.
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 6, 2012 17:11:59 GMT
Piggies always have to sort out the dominance afresh in any new territory. As long as there is no blood drawn, you are alright. I hope that they will settle into their big cage soon and learn to enjoy life!
Great that you are giving them a new chance!
Please don't hesitate if you have any questions about piggy care or behaviour.
You are welcome to open a blog-like thread about your boys in our "meet the piggies".
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 2, 2012 12:33:49 GMT
Hi! your girls are beautiful!
Lydia is obviously the top sow in your pairing and the bad temper is the inevitable dominance behaviour that all guinea pigs show when they settle together. Guinea pigs are group animals. Establishing a hierarchy is vital for them, whether there are two guinea pigs or twenty!
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Post by yodelpig on Aug 1, 2012 15:17:04 GMT
All the best to the hard working PCUR!
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 28, 2012 14:53:28 GMT
Generally, yes - without the bath. You will see less aggression but the humping can get a bit out of, erm, bum from either piggy when one of them goes on general overload.
One very experienced lady executes the first stage on her lap. If there are hostilities straight away, an introduction will be aborted. She also swears on having a soft humping toy around to hopefully draw off some of the fire.
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 28, 2012 14:37:24 GMT
Cute! Different species can work out together, but they always need close supervision and sound judgement from the owner.
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 27, 2012 10:42:51 GMT
It is HUGE! I wish I had that much space!!!
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 26, 2012 11:13:52 GMT
They are very cute indeed!
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 26, 2012 11:12:54 GMT
If you want to pair Melvin up with an older boar, you do so preferably where they have the possibility to date to see whether they are character compatible or not. By far not all boars will click together; however, those that have found each other by dating tend to be more stable. Bonding adult boars usually makes for a stable relationship; but it takes experience and it is a process that can take several days in increasingly smaller surroundings (ideally smaller than their unltimate cage) to see whether they can stick it out under pressure. That is how rescues over here in Britain bond adult boars.
If you do not have the option of letting Melvin and his new friend decide whether they get on or not in a neutral space, a baby boar is generally the second safest option. The age gap helps to make sure that the dominance is more clear cut and that only one boy is in the big hormones at any given time.
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 25, 2012 10:47:16 GMT
Hi Tyler!
Welcome to Wheekers! I hope that you will like it here.
I am looking forward to pictures of your three girls and their piggy palace-to-be!
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 24, 2012 12:44:12 GMT
I would strongly consider checking the heart with fluid retention; it can be caused by heart problems. if anything, you'd rather want to exclude that.
A fan tends to push the heat around. You can dampen towels and place them over the top of the cage, leaving the sides free. The evaporating water will cool the surrounding air somewhat.
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 24, 2012 11:23:05 GMT
Fingers firmly crossed for Woolly! Please also ask for a diuretic like frusemide to help clear the lungs and ease the breathing. If necessary hand feed, little but often - loss of appetite/weight is a usual symptom (the need to breathe comes before eating); also give extra vitamin C and probiotics. One last ditch very strong antibacterial antibiotic would be zithromax. It can save lives where the usual ABs fail. This guinea pig secialist vet has researched it if your vet would like to contact him for details on use and dosage. Simon Maddock at www.catandrabbit.co.uk/html/contact_us.html
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 24, 2012 11:16:25 GMT
AWWW - great that your two are now living together in a very snazzy condo!!!
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Post by yodelpig on Jul 23, 2012 15:54:06 GMT
Poor you and piggies! I find that my boars are the worst when it comes to carrying on; the girls are all made of sterner stuff. My biggest screamer is Hywel...
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