Why does female sleep so much

Question
QUESTION: Hello Pat, one of our females has lived with a male for almost 3 months now so I assume either he's infertile or she is.  Both are rescues from diff. places so I never know when someone is lying or just doesn't know much about the history of their own animal.  I was told the female was just over 1 yr. old.

I have seen him mating with her with all the squealing, etc. that goes on and I didn't mind as I knew we would keep any babies but nothing has ever come of it.  The last time he mated with her was 3 wks. or so ago.  He's been leaving her alone now again.  Her weight will go up and down, all within the 1100 g range give or take 20 g here or there.  She eats fine, and will come out.  These guys all get a lot of time out of their pens.

When she's in the pen, she likes to lie around in the hay and when she comes out even, same thing.  She doesn't go all around all over like other GP's do, she'll go and lie down again in the hay in the middle of the floor.  

Again, she eats fine, drinks (not overly drinks).  

Thanks,
Paula

P.S.  BTW, in case of accident with male/female, how long is safe between litters to mate again without compromising health of female?

Thanks so much Pat!!!

ANSWER: Hello again Paula! Always nice to hear from you.

With all due respect why is this female living with the male in the first place? Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're telling me, they came from different places and the assumption is that you put them together. Why?  I know this sounds extremely critical, but housing rescue boars and sows together is defeating the purpose of a so called rescue. You know nothing more about these pigs than the folks who gave them to you. What you are doing is wrong.

Just having seen the boar make the attempt does not mean he is infertile nor does it mean she is. It just hasn't happened that she conceived (as far as you know). You don't truly know how old she is, nor do you know anything about her genetic background, and breeding simply to make babies is inappropriate to say the least.

I know you're going to be offended by this, you are not providing rescue when you just collect animals and breed them. That's comparable to acquiring dogs you know nothing about and must allowing them to multiple. That's not what rescue is.

Friend, that is how hoarders start.  Please, I beg you........separate these animals and don't allow this. You're doing a greater disservice to the animal you are "rescuing" than the person you got them from.  

Just having babies does not make a breeder. That's not what breeding is about. The purpose of breeding any animal should be to improve the species by careful genetic selection, and you cannot do that with any animal of unknown heritage.

As far as this poor little sow wanting to rest and be let alone, can you blame her? She's tired of being stalked by the over active hormones of this persistent boar.  As far as an "accident" between male/female - leaving them together at all is not an accident.  It's a deliberate attempt to allow breeding to occur.

Please Paula, stop this for the sake of the creatures you want to 'rescue' before it gets out of hand.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Pat, I am NOT a hoarder, I know what that is!  I never mentioned everything because sometimes when you've lived with a specific knowledge, you dumbly forget that someone else doesn't know.  

What I DIDN'T mention was that the person I got the female from who said she was a yr. old did say that she lived with his male GP for a half a year or so and nothing ever happened, so he figured she was infertile.  
I believed this too as I read that if by the 2nd or even 3rd estrus cycle, a female doesn't get pregnant, she or the boar is probably infertile.  With 6 mo. going by, I thought it would be safe to put her with OUR male.

He's only bothered her twice in the 3 mo. they've lived together and only for a couple of minutes.  He hasn't bothered her in 3 wks. or so.  He pretty well leaves her alone.  They lie together and seem very happy SO I do NOT breed just to make babies.  

In fact if I was going to purposely breed, it would be my Peruvians OR one of my skinny pigs. I am not going to venture into this until I am ready and able to keep any and all babies.  Not only that, it will not be ongoing one after the other.  BTW, I would not be breeding my Peruvians to my skinny pigs either.

I understand your harsh 'coming down on me' as I've done that to people myself many, many times.  Unfortunately on my part, I did not tell you everything because I was only concerned about the 'sleeping' part.  She is fine in everyway, so I will be taking her to the vet.

Paula

ANSWER: Thank you for helping me understand more clearly. And I'm glad that you can see how it was a little ambiguous in the description of the situation.

That being settled (and still being friends)I don't know that I would still feel comfortable with her having not conceived as of yet. I've had sows that went through the same kind of situation and still conceived after many months, successfully delivering healthy litters.

It's true that most do not take more than a couple of months. There could be a hormonal problem with the sow, like ovarian cysts that could prevent conception. Or it could be old age. If she were only a year old I would wonder at what age she was first put into breeding with the boar. The previous owner, if she is any good at math, would realize that the 1 year old sow could not have been in with the boar for a year and a half. Again, am I reading that right?  

It's certainly not unusual for people who want to get rid of animals to "bend" the truth to reach their goal, that's why I say I would be more suspicious of old age.  In any event what's done is done. And please forgive me for offending you but as a rescuer I'm sure you can understand my concern. It's good that we're both on the same page again.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Whew, you really had me fooled with the wonderful introduction at the beg. of your last response, then drubbed me like crazy LOL.  

I understand where you're coming from Pat.  I'm 'well into' my adulthood and have made mistakes like everyone else, still make them in fact.

It was six months not a year & a half BTW.  Anyway, we're getting the male neutered next week and 2 other males so they can live with females in 3 different pens, 1 per pen.  Of course we'll have to wait awhile.

I didn't know (or forgot) that you rescued as well?  I thought you just bred GP's.  Our vet works with me and knows that I take in animals that will almost never be adopted due to behavioural issues, sometimes health problems, colour (yes, white ones are not wanted-rabbits anyway), etc. and we do the best we can and when it's time, we have to say 'goodbye' to them.  He's even told me how impressed he was with our care.

We don't collect animals.  If I have a litter, it's only when we can keep the babies and not have to give them away, whether I happen to do it on purpose which was ONCE, or as a matter of fact, we just took in a suspicious pregnancy.  If she's indeed expecting, we will keep the babies.  We look after all of our bunnies & guinea pigs with tons of hard work from early AM until late at night (said before).

Thanks again for the info because I realize you want to help the masses as well, all animals are gifts, not just the ones with that have the perfect markings, or the hair parts exactly where it should, the ears are exactly the size the 'standard' states, etc. etc. etc.

You have to agree that the breeding business is a hobby for enthusiasts right Pat?  

What we wonder is in the big, huge scheme of things how is that hobby 'right' just because people study genetics to produce a particular type of guinea pig, where do all the 'expendables' end up?  Probably eventually in a shelter or rescue when the kids get fed up.  Again, that's where we come in.  Sorry......I had to get 'my' little rant in.
After your letter I have to admit, I felt like ------ and was second guessing what I do, until I realized I am helping.  

Without getting too mushy, there's a beautiful saying:  Saving one animal will not change the world, but the world will surely change for that one animal.

Paula

I agree people 'bend' the truth.  Thanks for the info.

Answer
I don't mind the rant at all. But I am not a rescue. I raise and show cavies and we travel the country to show, much as dog or cat owners do. I laugh at people who ask, "Is there money in it?"  Oh yes I tell them, and it's all going OUT.

Serious exhibitors almost have to be breeders. People don't just sell you champion stock, you make it. Of course the feed and care, grooming, selection for the right traits, and TLC play a huge roll. Many of my babies do (proudly) make to the Best in Show tables for the people I've sold them to. The larger percentage are sold as pets. The 'champions' in any litter are the minority, just as with dogs. You have to start with the right stuff. My old breeding sows and boars live out their lives here, having produced the best they've got. They retire comfortably.

It's definitely a hobby, although a great deal of experience and medical information comes from it. Although I have feelings about right and wrong with animal experimentation if I thought for a second that my best animal might be instrumental in discovering a cure for a cancer (as many leukemia cures have been) I'd turn it over in a heartbeat.

I discourage backyard breeding because I see so much of what you see. The commitment isn't there and as soon as boredom sets in YOU get them.  Know what I mean?  Hardcore breeder/exhibitors have been committed to it for many many years. Our oldest club member is nearly 80 and is still breeding top quality Peruvians since the 1960's. THAT'S commitment to the fancy. That rarely exists in the backyard setting.

(And you're right, my tired eyes can't read. You did say half a year!)