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Post by karenwl on Jun 12, 2007 21:28:09 GMT 1
Here are my 2 Guinea Pigs Garfield and Mutley Garfield is the black and white Mutley is the brown.  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 12, 2007 21:42:41 GMT 1
Argh, they're sweet. They are the attractive side of the rodent family! How old are they?
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Post by karenwl on Jun 12, 2007 21:52:52 GMT 1
They are about 8 and nine months old.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 12, 2007 21:54:48 GMT 1
Just babies then. Are they very tame? My friends where I work used to have them roaming about the garden - they make the oddest noises don't they? Used to freak me out sometimes.....
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Post by karenwl on Jun 12, 2007 22:01:39 GMT 1
They are still a little bit nervous but not as bad as they were, they know when im coming in the morning to feed them and they make some lovely little sounds as soon as i lift up the cover they run up to the top but soon come down when i wave the lettuce infront of them.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 12, 2007 22:03:09 GMT 1
If it wasn't for the rats I get a pair for Rosie. She'd love them. They do make good pets don't they?
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Post by karenwl on Jun 12, 2007 22:11:05 GMT 1
They are lovely my son chose them and the names, they are both Girls, we got them from the RSPCA.
I got my last 2 from them but they died of old age, when i got these they said we will see you in another 7 years then.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 12, 2007 22:19:49 GMT 1
7 years. Is that their life span then? That's quite a long time for a small creature like that, isn't it? I wonder how long rats live? (Too long  ) |
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Post by karenwl on Jun 12, 2007 22:49:30 GMT 1
If they are well looked after they can live for 7 to 8 years but they usualy live for about 5 years. My last 2 were adult s but not sure how pld I had them for 3 and a half years so they had a good end to their life, i lost the first and then the second one gave up about 6 months later, she was laid in my arms when she went it was awfull but at least she was not alone.  Rats dont live long enough if you get them ;D |
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Post by karenwl on Sept 1, 2007 18:07:50 GMT 1
My 2 girls having a run.  |
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Post by emseypop on Sept 1, 2007 22:42:27 GMT 1
Ohh they're lovely, the black and white one is like our mr burnes, I'll have to put a pic on of the two of mine in their run. If they hear my vioce they start squeeking, don't really know if thats good or bad |
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Post by emseypop on Oct 15, 2007 11:28:45 GMT 1
hello, just wandering if Karen, or anyone else has any advice. I know the weather is going to get colder next week and I cant decide wheather to bring the guinea pigs inside or not. I have got an indoor cage but not sure where to put it  Do you think they'd be ok outside? They are in a sheldered spot down the side of the house and i've been putting an offcut of carpet over the hutch at night for a few weeks now. I thought about putting them in the green house but its quite damp in there and the low winter sun may frazzle them! |
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Post by karenwl on Oct 26, 2007 19:30:04 GMT 1
hello, just wandering if Karen, or anyone else has any advice. I know the weather is going to get colder next week and I cant decide wheather to bring the guinea pigs inside or not. I have got an indoor cage but not sure where to put it Do you think they'd be ok outside? They are in a sheldered spot down the side of the house and i've been putting an offcut of carpet over the hutch at night for a few weeks now. I thought about putting them in the green house but its quite damp in there and the low winter sun may frazzle them! Emsey mine are in the kitchen I always bring them in for winter they are in before all the fireworks start and stay in till spring. I would not put them in the greenhouse, the changes in temp would kill them. You can keep them outside for winter as long as they are well protected from the weather. You can get a protector for the hutch called a hutch hugger but these are expensive,if they are in the sheltered spot as you say they are they shoukd be ok. Ive found with mine been inside they get more used to you, they know when its breakfast time and they give me some lovely chatter. They are also getting tamer and used to been handled, its probably because im always talking to them. Hope this has helped LOL Karen |
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Post by emseypop on Nov 3, 2007 22:19:15 GMT 1
I bought them in last weekend Karen! I couldn't stand to see them out in the cold. I'm glad now as there are loads of fireworks.
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Post by debbiem on Nov 4, 2007 9:48:44 GMT 1
I bought them in last weekend Karen! I couldn't stand to see them out in the cold. I'm glad now as there are loads of fireworks. Our daughters want guinea pigs - I can just see winter in our house - cats, guinea pigs, chickens(they're always trying to come in), it'll be like one of those bronze age houses where everything and everyone's all in there together.  |
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Post by emseypop on Nov 4, 2007 10:59:51 GMT 1
I bought them in last weekend Karen! I couldn't stand to see them out in the cold. I'm glad now as there are loads of fireworks. Our daughters want guinea pigs - I can just see winter in our house - cats, guinea pigs, chickens(they're always trying to come in), it'll be like one of those bronze age houses where everything and everyone's all in there together. Sounds lovely, I really recommend guineas as pets for children, if you handle them enough and they're not too scatty they are really gentle and friendly and cheap to look after. Very entertaining too. |
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Post by karenwl on Nov 9, 2007 19:02:55 GMT 1
I bought them in last weekend Karen! I couldn't stand to see them out in the cold. I'm glad now as there are loads of fireworks. Our daughters want guinea pigs - I can just see winter in our house - cats, guinea pigs, chickens(they're always trying to come in), it'll be like one of those bronze age houses where everything and everyone's all in there together. Mine run around with the cats, wish i had the camera handy cat going for food guineapigs following ;D Glad you brought them inside emsey wait till they know its food time you will get some lovely noises. |
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Post by emseypop on Jan 15, 2008 20:20:40 GMT 1
Our daughters want guinea pigs - I can just see winter in our house - cats, guinea pigs, chickens(they're always trying to come in), it'll be like one of those bronze age houses where everything and everyone's all in there together. Mine run around with the cats, wish i had the camera handy cat going for food guineapigs following ;D Glad you brought them inside emsey wait till they know its food time you will get some lovely noises. It is lovely having the girls inside, you get so much more from them! After a visit to my friends house Marge is expecting! I'll have mini pigs any day now! |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jan 15, 2008 22:13:00 GMT 1
aw...we adopted 2 guinea pigs years ago when some neighbours of ours moved and couldn't look after them any more...
They (the guinea pigs...not the neighbours) were quite old...both had a skin condition as well where the flies had got to them (they were out in all weathers)...they were very sweet, and would warble affectionately at each other..and would come to us when we called their names....
We only had them for a few months before they both died (partly because they'd had a hard time of it before we got them, partly because they were old) Whilst WE had them they were spoiled rotten, they loved the run OH made for them in the garden, we kept them in the kitchen in the winter too.
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Post by emseypop on Jan 15, 2008 23:21:21 GMT 1
aw...we adopted 2 guinea pigs years ago when some neighbours of ours moved and couldn't look after them any more... They (the guinea pigs...not the neighbours) were quite old...both had a skin condition as well where the flies had got to them (they were out in all weathers)...they were very sweet, and would warble affectionately at each other..and would come to us when we called their names.... We only had them for a few months before they both died (partly because they'd had a hard time of it before we got them, partly because they were old) Whilst WE had them they were spoiled rotten, they loved the run OH made for them in the garden, we kept them in the kitchen in the winter too. I think i'm more attached to mine than the kids........are ;D I think there's no easier pet to look after and they are so rewarding. Well maybe a cat might be easier and more rewarding, but no other pet. |
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Post by karenwl on Jan 16, 2008 20:33:57 GMT 1
aw...we adopted 2 guinea pigs years ago when some neighbours of ours moved and couldn't look after them any more... They (the guinea pigs...not the neighbours) were quite old...both had a skin condition as well where the flies had got to them (they were out in all weathers)...they were very sweet, and would warble affectionately at each other..and would come to us when we called their names.... We only had them for a few months before they both died (partly because they'd had a hard time of it before we got them, partly because they were old) Whilst WE had them they were spoiled rotten, they loved the run OH made for them in the garden, we kept them in the kitchen in the winter too. One good thing cheery is they had a good few months of love and care with you x Emsey good luck with the baby Piggies. Karen x |
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Post by debbiem on Jan 28, 2008 14:15:42 GMT 1
We've promised our youngest daughter a guinea pig for her birthday in June. Somehow this has been interpreted to getting a guinea pig in Spring. :  She has wanted one for a long time and I know she will look after it well, and there's always me as reliable back up. I take it that my daughter wanting a guinea pig means that she's getting two. : They are sociable animals aren't they, hence , it seems, everybody on here having at least two. Would two males put together fight? Also I take it the bigger the hutch, the better? I would imagine so. We've seen a lovely hutch which has two storeys with a ramp between floors and a sleeping area. The pet shop where we'll be getting the guinea pigs'll give me the answers to these questions but I'd much rather hear it first-hand from real owners. |
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Post by karenwl on Feb 1, 2008 21:29:33 GMT 1
Mrs B it is better to get 2 they will keep each other company, I wouls sudgest 2 females rather than 2 males as they could fight, but emsey may be able to offer better advice.
Have you tried your local RSPCA thats were i got mine from, they cost me £10 for both, the only thing with the RSPCA is that they have to do a home visit, they come and see the hutch run etc, and will do a follow up check to see how they are doing, but they are looking after the animals welfare.
Its easier to get them from the pet shop, and they should be able to give you all the advice you need.
Hope ive helped Karen X
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Post by Sleepy on Feb 4, 2008 12:47:57 GMT 1
At what age can you sex guinea pigs?  I think it is illegal to interfere with your pets at that level at any age The witch! |
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Post by emseypop on Feb 4, 2008 14:39:10 GMT 1
An expert is supposed to be able to 'sex' a guinea pig at about a week. Its very easy to be mistaken. My book recomends males be moved away from females at 3-4 weeks!
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