2 questions please

Question
Hello Pat, you probably don't remember me but I wrote a couple of mo. ago telling you I was worried about my two yr. old(?) GPs being pregnant and their safety.  You said try not to worry and relax.  I did and both girls gave safe delivery and we are so proud of them.  One girl, Hyacinth, had 2 BIG babies, both are now 2 wks. old and weigh 275 grams.  The other girl, Marigold, had 6 smaller babies on my birthday.

My 1st upset tho' is 2 of Marigold's babies were born dead even tho' they 'looked' perfect.  It was so sad.  The others are fine and running around at 1 1/2 wks. old and weigh 100g to 125g.  What do you think caused the 2 casualties?  Was it too many for her to deliver safely?

Another question I have concerns 2 of my paired boars.  Both were paired as young adults as all of mine are and one of them is 'bullying' the other.  I don't think Pookie stops Theodore from eating/drinking but they're never close in the pen and sometimes get in a 'squaring off' position, no out and out fighting luckily.  When they come out at different times for exercise, Pookie likes to usher Theodore around when he wants and even sends him back in the pen.  I don't like it at all.  Our other GPs don't seem to do that neither our bonded rabbits with each other.  These 2 guys live in a 4' x 3' pen.

Sorry for all the reading LOL but you've been so helpful and kind before.  Thank you!

Paula

Answer
Of course I remember you!

Congratulations on the happy occasions. A litter of six is a very large litter for any mom. Remember a cavy sow only has two teats, so everyone must share. It's rare in any litter, but mostly certainly in a large litter, for all the babies to survive. The mortality rate is high in cavy litters.

Anytime there are more than three babies they are all on the small side due to the lack of space available for growth inside the mom. So we expect to see smaller babies in multiple litters. As for what causes the stillborns, there's no good answer. That's why I try to discourage pet owners from trying to breed. It's hard to lose the babies even when it's expected.  

Now that there is the 'air of female' floating around the boys have discovered a new purpose. It's a natural competitive drive and it's purely hormonal. Many times boys who have grown up together suddenly decide they would like to have the space to themselves and try to push out the competitor. They may have just reach that time and you may have to keep them separated from now on. Remember that in the wild the males live alone. Once sexual maturity has set in the rules and priorities change. It's just the way it is.

I'd love to see pictures of the babies. I know you're having a great time with them. They grow so fast and it's always fun to watch them discover the world around them.