How do i know when a guinea pig is ready to breed?

Question

how do you know? And what do you have to do?

Answer 1

Often, you will have to weigh the female so she doesn't have miss carrage. Males are ready to breed extremly young, but they are not desired to breed until near when the female is ready. This is because they may have traits that may be passed on like small size when they breed this young. Also, they pass on many undesirable trait when they are youn

Answer 2

First decide if you really should breed your guinea pigs. I breed mice, and no matter how big or small the animal is, you really have to take some things into consideration before putting a male and a female together.

Almost all small animals (mice, hamsters, rabbit, guinea pigs, etc. etc.) are very easy to breed. However, almost all small animals are also capable of fairly large litters and breeding at an early age. Will you be able to find homes for the piggies? They grow up very fast, will you be able to seperate the males and the females before they're of breeding age? Do you have the space, time and money? It's almost impossible to make a profit off of breeding animals unless you are a very well known breeder, breed often, and have a large market. Feeding a pregnant/nursing guinea pig can cost quite a lot, not to mention how much it'll cost once the little ones are eating solid food. You'll also have to change the cage bedding more often.

Please do not breed your guinea pig just because it is cute, or just to see the babies. Many guinea pigs, like rabbits, are given away to animal shelters/humane societies and there is certainly no shortage of breeders. Will you have time to socialize each baby? If you can't find homes for them before you need to seperate the males and females, will you have room for more cages?

I do not want to completely discourage you, but many people think of small animals more like toys than living things. If you have the correct answers to these questions then by all means go ahead. If you don't, then please at least reconsider.

Answer 3

Breeding guinea pigs is not recommended.

Not only is it risky, it is difficult to find homes for the young with responsible and caring people -- your candidates may "disappear" when the time comes to adopt out the babies.

Guinea pig sows are at risk of pregnancy complications because the babies are born large and ready to run. Breeding after 8 months of age can be fatal for a guinea pig who has not had a previous litter due to dystocia. The symphysis (a joint of tough fibrous cartilage which firmly joins the 2 pubic bones) can stiffen upon reaching adulthood and she may not be able to deliver her pups unaided. Sows with dystocia usually need a caesarian section. The survival rate is very poor.

Spaying or neutering guinea pigs also carries risks even when performed by an experienced guinea pig veterinarian. The safest choice is to keep the sexes separate or have only sows or boars.

Should you find yourself with a pregnant guinea pig, read over the advice and links on the Reproduction Section. Since most sows will have an estrus (a time when they can become pregnant) from 2 to 15 hours immediately after giving birth, remove any boar from the cage as the delivery date approaches to prevent back-to-back pregnancies.
Breeding Your Pet Guinea Pig -- Advice For Pet Lovers
Make no mistake: every pregnancy carries significant risks.

When I was first researching guinea pigs to see if they would make a good pet for my daughter, I found only one friend who'd ever had guinea pigs in her home. Her daughter had a single sow she loved and cared for. This sow was bred to a friend's boar. The birth was uneventful, the pups a joy. She bred her a second time with tragic consequences, losing the sow and all the pups and leaving her daughter devastated. Similar stories are repeated over and over again. But the ending is the same. Will the next sad story be yours?

Death is something breeders get used to. One ARBA judge estimates that complications from breeding will kill one in 5 sows (see Cavy Spirit). Guinea pig sows are especially at risk because the babies are born large, fully furred, and ready to run. The mother generally carries several pups and her weight may double, putting stress on her circulation system and other organs. Even with the best care, sows can suffer from dystocia, hypocalcemia, a prolapsed uterus, or pregnancy toxemia.

"What about the pups?"
If you are not concerned for your sow, consider the lives of the pups. If the mother dies, will you have the time to hand rear the pups? Not only is breeding risky, it is difficult to find homes for the young with responsible and caring people -- your candidates may "disappear" when the time comes to adopt out the babies. What if it is a large litter of 6 or 7? Who will care for them? Will you take responsibility for their health and well being? Can you afford the cost of food, shelter and medical care? What if the pigs you breed carry defective genes and your pups are born with congenital problems? Mis-sexing a pair of pigs meant unexpected pups with heart problems (See: SusieQ's story). Do you have space for additional cages? Will they be dumped on a pet store or overburdened rescue? There are far too many guinea pigs and far too few good homes. Given the large number of guinea pigs already needing homes, the responsible pet owner will not add to the population.

Breeders
So you say you're going to be a "responsible breeder"? Read Josephine's "The Responsible Breeder" at Cavy Spirit to see how you compare. Some breeders cannot reconcile the fact that their choice to breed results in the deaths of sows and their young, and finally stop breeding and showing altogether.

"Accidents"
Pet lovers and breeding simply don't mix. But sometimes accidents happen. Two guinea pigs guaranteed to be "of the same sex" are anything but. Your babysitter accidentally mixes your carefully separated animals. Or you buy a pregnant pig from a pet store. Too frequently, pet stores mix sexes and the unwary customer may take home a pregnant female. Perhaps you are fostering a pregnant rescue pig. In any case, you do the best you can, provide good nutrition, separate the sexes and prepare for the birth. Young cavies can have successful pregnancies, but it is never recommended. The advice on this page is here to help those whose pigs are pregnant through no fault of their own.

Our Responsibility
Because guinea pigs rely on us completely for their care and housing, we can control their reproductive lives and make a conscious choice to be a responsible pet owner. We are fortunate that our guinea pigs are not unspayed cats or dogs, free to run through the neighborhood and become pregnant through our inaction. For the health and well-being of your or your child's beloved pet, do not breed

Answer 4

When he starts humping your leg.