rejoining G-P family

Question
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Lorena, Thank you for the reply...I just need some clarification please...

1)I am not sure if the pups are weaned or not. They are eating solid,(oranges, hay, pellet food), but they often look like they are still suckling their mother when they are all bunched together (in corners, or in the igloo). Alot of fur on these Abysinnians, and it looks like they are always going for mama's belly.  How do I determine for sure that they are weaned?

2)I DO NOT want to re-breed at all, but at 2 weeks of age I am having difficulty ascertaining which pups are male....They all seem to look female. I am familiar with how to 'sex' them, but is there an age when determining becomes more evident?..... at 1 week I swear I extended a penis in one pup, but now the same one appears to be completely female. I'm perplexed.  At this young age is it normally easy to feel the definate "penis ridge" or scrotum,....or does it take a few weeks?.....help!--I dont want male pups impregnating mama!

Thanks in advance for a reply.

A Thompson





Followup To

Question -
Hello Lorena:

My Male Ginea pig was seperated from the pregnant mother just before she gave birth to 4 babies. They are now 2 weeks old.

1)Can I re-join the father to his family now?  

2)When can my female get pregnant again? (father is not yet neutered)?

3) At what age can a baby guinea pig get pregant?--I do have some female babies.

Thanks if you can answer these 3 questions. ;-)

sincerely, Alli Thompson


Answer -
Alli --

Good questions.  I am glad you are trying to be a responsible breeder.  Here are some answers for you.

1.  You can put the father back in with the sow after the babies have been weaned.  It's not a good idea to put the boar back in with sow pups - you might end up accidentally inbreeding.  Female guinea pigs don't normally become sexually mature until about 6 weeks, but they are not able to successfully carry pups until 4-5 months.  You need to keep them separated, just to be on the safe side.

2.  If you wish to rebreed immediately, you may introduce your boar once your pups have been weaned.  I would also recommend removing any male pups almost immediately, as they become sexually mature at about 2-3 weeks of age and could potentially rebreed their own mother.  Otherwise, if you don't wish to rebreed at all, I would wait to reintroduce the boar until after he has been neutered.

3.  I think I answered this in question #1.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me again.  Thanks!

Lorena

Answer
Alli --

Well, when I say weaning, what I mean is simply removing the pups from their mother.  What you will want to do is simply remove them one per day until they are all removed.  This method of weaning will prevent mastitis (caked breast) in the sow.  

As for sexing them, it is very difficult at a young age, especially if you haven't been doing it for a long time.  My recommendation would be to simply keep trying.  If you need help, I would contact a reputable breeder or vet in your area and simply ask for assistance.  I would go for the breeder first, as they will probably help you for free.  In my experience, vets rarely do anything for free.

Hope this is helpful.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.  Good luck!

Lorena