new guinea pig babies

Question
Hi! I have one guinea pig, her name is Cosita. We got her back in January 5th, 2007. The pet shop ppl, said she was 3 weeks old. Cosita started eating like crazy, got bigger and bigger. I made an app. to go see the vet, just for a general check up, but had to cxl it. Two nites ago I got home and she had TWO BABIES WITH HER!!! I was amazed!!! I didn't know she was pregnant. Now she doesn't want me to go in her cage. I just put her new food and H2O ', but I'd like to know the babies gender. What should I do, how can I handle this??? Thx!
Mia
Clermont, FL
hiramiamilan@yahoo.com


Answer
Her temperment will be diffrent for a month or two, but she will eventually go back to being normal. She will not want to be handled, or you to be around. It is good to still handle her sometimes, just to let her know you still care for her. After she stops nursing she will warm back up to you. Babies should behandle forshort periods at a time several times a day. I wouldent hold them for more than 10 minutes at a time for the first month so they are never hungry. They need you to hold them from the begining so they are use to humans.The babies stay with mommy for 3 weeks.  At this time, mommy, baby girls, and baby boys should be separated from each other. The baby boys are sexually mature at age 3weeks, so they are able to get mommy or sissy pregnant, so separation is important. They should stay in your care for another 3-4 weeks before finding a home.
In order to find out the sex of the babies, go to the site http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm  and they have pictures and everything.
Introduce vegies early as possible, but it could take weeks before they ever try them. Mommy will take care of them and feed them. They may nibble on hay and pellets. Good luck!