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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2018 20:40:29 GMT
Hello I am new here I just adopted 2 male guinea pigs from a pet store ! I named them Hershey bear and cocoa bean ! Cocoa is so tiny compared to Hershey i asked about that i was told cocoa is a runt ? I don't know how old they are because they didn't ! They are eating hay and pellets vegetables they won't touch i got them December 22 ,2018i i have been doing a lot of research online to learn more I have them in a Midwest cage 2 hideout s in it I seen online toilet paper rolls are good toys ! Well I put one in the cage cocoa got his head stuck in it I about flipped out so in the trash it went ! So my questions are vegetables will they ever like them ? Should I hold them daily ? Let them be for a while ? I have tried the handfeeding they are scared ! I know it all takes time ! I do talk to them when I go in they're room but I don't want to stress them out running around the cage ! Another question i would like to try the fleece liner i bought several blizzard fleece .material have tried washing it doing the prep not having any luck with it wicking any suggestions ? Also anyway I can tell how old they are ! Any input would be helpful ! Thank you in advance !
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 25, 2018 21:20:18 GMT
Hello and welcome Ooh, where to start I had a runt. He was a feisty little guy, and grew into one of the best pigs I ever had They are very much like children, with varied personalities, interests, likes, etc. Getting the right toy for one may not be right for the other, so just try some things. Pigs love tunnels, tubes or any form of pass-through toy where they can either pass through it or stop and hide/sleep/eat. I have lots of store bought toys, all in a box, while the cage has a cardboard box in it with doors and windows cut to let them be in it or pass through it. It gets bounced around the cage, quite unceremoniously, while the girls have a blast with it. I hung toilet paper tubes on a string from the side of the cage. The idea is to give them things to chew, so as long as they can chew the tubes, but not get their heads stuck, it does the trick. My girls are older, so they don't get their heads stuck any longer, and they also have some in the cage. Bedding! Fleece works as a wick to carry liquids off the surface to an absorbent layer underneath. Any fleece works. The most expensive isn't any better than the least expensive, except it usually offers more patterns you might like. The fleece needs to be washed a few times. If you add a cup of plain white vinegar to each wash, you can wash it in cold water, and one or two washes should be plenty. That removes the sizing from the fabric, so it can absorb and wick the liquids. What you use for an absorbent layer under the fleece is a matter of budget, storage availability, etc. I have used wood shavings, which don't absorb anything, so the bottom of the cage gets fouled really quickly. I've used CareFresh, which does a much better job, but is extremely expensive. I've used kitty litter, which is great for removing the clumps, and not having to replace all the kitty litter every week, but you need to get an unscented clumping clay litter. Those can be heavy, but they come in containers that can usually fit in a decently small space. I'm currently using pine pellet horse bedding you can by at most farm supply stores. It's about $6 for a 40lb bag, so if you have no way to carry a 40lb bag, not a good idea. For a Midwest cage, you also won't use a whole bag at once, so you'd need a place to store the rest. Once wet, the pellets turn to granules that absorb liquid and odor. They don't need to be replaced very often, but it's best to have a piece of screen between the fleece and the granules, of the granules stick to the underside of the fleece. I'm also using hay as a bedding, instead of fleece, so that's an option. I used to buy the western timothy hay from the store, and it was expensive enough I didn't want to waste it. Now I buy it by the bale from a local farm for $6, so I have no problem with piling it in the cage. I don't remove the old hay daily, just add new hay, and fluff it up so they can play in it. The girls love it. The whole point to hay is that their digestive tract muscles are very weak, so they need food going in one end to push it out the other end. While western timothy gives the most nutrients per bite, any meadow hay, in good quantities, will do. Don't use alfalfa, as that's a legume, not hay. This is an excellent chart of fruit and veggie info: www.guinealynx.info/chart.html You want to avoid veggies with a lot of A, and possibly add some that have a lot of C, just be careful of acidic fruits and veggies, as too much can cause mouth sores. Mine will eat orange, so they get a small piece. They want eat tomatoes. I give each pig a small blueberry daily, as it's a super food for us, so I figure why not for them. We eat a lot of blueberries, so we just share the small ones with them As far as which veggies to give them, give them what you're eating, so you don't spend extra for veggies for them, that they won't eat. I give mine pieces of salad items, such as carrot peels, ends and leaves from celery, pieces of cucumber, a little bit of corn if we use it, a little bit of lettuce, etc. They can get a nice salad of their own that way. I also give them fennel for breakfast, as it's a digestive aid, and some Belgian Endive for bedtime, just as a treat. The important thing is to keep amounts small enough to not cause mushy poos. I dole out the treats during the day, so the girls feel as if they get a lot of treats, but they really don't. So bottom line is use the bedding that best suits your budget, lifestyle and space. Check out hays for what suits your space and budget the best. I don't bother with hay holders, but a lot of people do. Give the pigs pieces of the veggies you're eating. Check the chart to make sure it's good for them. As for socializing them, I pick up mine from the very beginning, and they are calm. Pigs generally don't like to be picked up, as they are prey animals, and most people pick them up by the middle, the way a predator would. If you have some thing you can use as a conveyance, a cardboard box or basket they can get into, and you can lift them out in that, it will help them get used to being picked up, which helps they get used to being with you. I've always talked to all my pets, so I talk to the girls every time I pass their cage, when I'm in the kitchen doing things, etc. They will learn a few one-word things, so I say Treat when it's treats time, Vacuum when I'm going to start the vacuum, etc. You may find some words you want them to learn. Just repeat the word each time you do the action, and they'll understand Welcome to guinea pigs. I hope you all have a wonderful time together
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2018 22:00:44 GMT
Thank you ! You have been helpful on the bedding information ! I'm using care fresh now it is expensive !the fleece i have washed it 6 times with no scent laundry soap and white vinegar it still is not wicking ! I have puppy pads under my care fresh it is working good ! I will learn as I go i guess ! Thank you !
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Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 26, 2018 18:08:08 GMT
a very warm welcome love.
hugs jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 26, 2018 21:45:16 GMT
Theresa, the fleece doesn't act as a sieve, pulling the water down immediately, but after 6 washings, it should be doing its job. Vinegar is a natural conditioner, so perhaps an extra rinse cycle to get out the vinegar, though you shouldn't need to do that.
If you run your hand over the fleece a few minutes after spilling water on it, is the water gone, or still there? It should be gone. I can only suggest the extra rinse. Again, I don't know what blizzard fleece is, but the cheapest fleece seems to work the best. Don't give up on that fleece. It will get there, and it probably is wicking, now.
I used puppy pads for a while, too. They got expensive, but the protect the bottom of the cage from being fouled, which is ugly, though not dangerous. It's just the dried on residue of all the things that have sat on that floor.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2018 2:42:01 GMT
Thank you it isn't beading like first time however it is soggy when put over a towel ! I Think I will just order from Amazon a lady on there makes everything it is going to get costly buying care fresh lbedding and puppy pads ! Sometimes doing things are not as easy as others make it U tube ! The kids have started eating vegetables ! I have a couple concerns i hope they both are males and me cutting they're nails when the time comes ! They are still very nervous as they should be but they do come out a little more when I am in they're room i talk to them a lot ! Thank you !
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Post by Bean on Dec 27, 2018 16:57:11 GMT
Hello and a warm welcome to Wheekers from me too! Great advice from 3piggles!
I'd just add that you can cut down the length of the toilet rolls to avoid unfortunately sized heads getting stuck! Once they're bigger, it's not an issue.
I hope you enjoy getting to know them - I know it's hard when they look scared of you, but don't take it personally, just keep on handling them, offering them the veggie treats they love while you have them out (bribery works wonders!) and I'm sure they'll get more confident. It's great they're tasting more veg now - it sounds like you're doing a great job settling them in.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 27, 2018 21:28:17 GMT
If you have a fabric store near you, a lot of winter patterned fleeces are on sale now, up to 50% off. Whatever you buy, buy the pattern you like, but don't bother with it being a super expensive type of fleece. Also, most fleece runs 44" wide, but some runs 54" wide. If you find a pattern you like in a 54" wide fleece, you can get two fleeces out of it, just cut it the long way. If you buy a 44" fleece, you still have extra, and you can use grommets to make a hammock, or make other toys out of it. No sewing involved Glad they're getting use to veggies. Soon they will be demanding veggies every time you rustle a bag or open the fridge They will get used to you, but they may also try to be the boss. Just be firm and loving with them, and they will come around. As for clipping nails, no one seems to have managed to make that an easy job, unless they get someone else to do it
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2018 1:49:22 GMT
Thank you ! I have purchased many fleece from joann fabric recently ! I have gave up on the trying to wick them so i ordered fleece liners and pads from Amazon less headache for me and the ones from there all have good reviews ! Extra fleece I purchased i made them cuddle bags now if I can just get them to cuddle 😁 oh they are fast i can't get them ! The fleece left over i will let Lucy my dog lay on she likes it ! It's going to be fun trying to change over bedding! again they are fast 😊 skittish yes probably boss it's 2 against 1 😉 Thank you !
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 28, 2018 18:41:28 GMT
I just bought fleeces from Joann, too I got a Christmas themed fleece, and a winter themed fleece. The one nearest to me is moving, so is having huge sales! Heading down there this afternoon The premade pads a really easy to use, and will probably save you a lot of time
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2019 0:06:51 GMT
I have a couple questions if someone can help me first one is my guinea pigs let a lot of hay just sit for days in the hay holder it is Oxbow Timothy hay if I put fresh on there they eat the fresh but always leave the rest should I just throw it away start with fresh a little at a time ? I also have a new bag of western hay unopened bag would they might like that better ? I don't know ! Pellets also hardly gets ate oxbow also ! I am doing the fleece for bedding it really is not as good as I thought kinda messy hay sticks to it and dirty really after a few days I use puppy pads first then towels then fleece I purchased at Joanne fabric it is staying dry however messy really ! I purchased already made fleece cage liners however they were costly I ended up returning i could not get them to wick properly ! So second question is suggestions for a affordable decent bedding i can use ! Was using care fresh before I switched to fleece but care fresh is costly and doesn't go far ! Thank you !
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 3, 2019 1:06:39 GMT
All the beddings stick to the underside of the fleece. That's why I use a layer of fiberglass window screen, just to let liquid go through, but to keep the loose bedding from sticking. A layer of Thule or lace does the same thing, as long as water can get through. Sometimes both are on major sales, so are really inexpensive. Make the barrier about 1/2" shorter all around than the fleece, and the pigs won't eat it. The least expensive is kitty litter. Target brand clumping clay litter works well. You only have to remove the clumps every couple of days, and add more litter as needed. It is heavy, though. You don't need that much in a Midwest cage, but if you decide to do a total cage cleaning, it's about the amount in two kitty litter boxes. Last I checked it was about $9 for a container of litter that lasted quite a while. You only need an inch of litter, but if you want to add more, it won't need changing any more often. It's also very absorbent, and helps prevent odors. Don't get the kind with odor fighting crystals. Guinea pigs have very short legs, so live very close to their bedding. I don't know what's in those crystals, but doubt pigs should be breathing it. The hay may be moldy, though if it is, it usually smells a bit off, and doesn't look very healthy. It may be that the pigs don't like the hay holder, aren't big on Timothy hay, or, since you said they don't really eat the pellets either, may not be that hungry. Keep a minimal amount of pellets in the cage, and if possible, change them daily. They lose nutrients into the air as soon as they come out of the bag. Mine have a lot of hay, as that's what I use instead of fleece, and they definitely don't eat it all, but they eat enough to make really great poos. Check their poos. They should be oval, medium brown, slightly moist if you get a fresh one, and solid. If their poos are small, they need more hay. If their poos are good, they're getting all they need. The poos tell the story
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2019 1:35:44 GMT
Ok thank you ! Yes I am probably giving them to much pellets then ! I did not know that pellets should be changed daily i will start giving them a small amount daily it's wasteful really if pellets need changed daily ! I have been giving some vegetables daily but I spread them out threw out the day small amounts i don't want to overdo it ! I do clean poops several times a day it is hard and good size ! i keep check because of the vegetables i don't want to upset they're system that's why I feed vegetables in small amounts threw out the day ! They came from a pet store so I doubt vegetables were given there ! Hay i don't know I have read not to put it on the floor of cage because they soil it ! All is new to me !
I thank you for your reply ! 😊
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2019 2:08:34 GMT
The hay does not smell bad or look bad to me also i don't have a target store here only a walmart i will try there ! The hay is clinging to the top of the fleece ! Is the litter ok for they're feet ? They are young baby's do they need alfalfa hay and since I don't know about how old do I switch them to a adult pellet eventually ? They are on oxbow young pellets right now ! Thank you again
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jan 3, 2019 14:08:33 GMT
welcome to our happy family hunni.
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Post by Bean on Jan 4, 2019 7:31:06 GMT
I put a few very generous handfuls of fresh hay in the cage each day, they love to play in it as well as eat it. I remove the old stuff before I put the new delivery in the next day. Same with pellets. The little ones should be on an alfalfa based pellet until they're at least 6 months. But I've read advice on switching that goes from anything from 6 months- 1 year for switching to timothy. By a year they'll still have a bit of filling out to do, but will be close to their full size. If they're having alfalfa pellets, any hay will be fine. I tend to use meadow hay as I can get a big bale for about £5, so can use it freely, but I supplement with posher hays in smaller amounts! This isn't essential though. Guinea Lynx have an excellent diet guide. Roughly speaking, loads of hay, some pellets and a small amount of a few different veg for fresh nutrients and variety will give them an excellent diet.
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 7, 2019 17:29:43 GMT
Cocoabean deleted their account? What happened?
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Post by 3piggles on Jan 7, 2019 21:39:25 GMT
We don't know. It just showed "deleted" one day. I think Bean and I have both reviewed all that was posted, and nothing was wrong with any of the posts, so no idea I do wonder if her piggy died. That's enough to make any first time piggy parent head for the hills. They think we "experts" are going to blame them, which we aren't. So sad, if that's what happened
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Post by bazookagoof on Jan 7, 2019 22:12:01 GMT
We don't know. It just showed "deleted" one day. I think Bean and I have both reviewed all that was posted, and nothing was wrong with any of the posts, so no idea I do wonder if her piggy died. That's enough to make any first time piggy parent head for the hills. They think we "experts" are going to blame them, which we aren't. So sad, if that's what happened That's such a shame. It's just a tad frustrating that new people simply don't stick around. Message boards don't seem to be as popular as they used to be, apart from a few extremely busy ones- but those other ones are places where you really have to shout to make yourself stand out. They're seldom worth my time.
But my point was, I just wish some of these newbies would call this place home.
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Post by Bean on Jan 8, 2019 8:20:29 GMT
I think some people just want answers on one thing, and go when they get it.
I don't think we're really listed anywhere and don't come up anywhere early on in search engines either - I'm not sure how people find us actually?!
Maybe we should look into that a bit more. Although nothing that would bring the loons here and end mine and 3piggles' easy lives as admins!
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