You are here:

Guinea Pigs/How old do baby guinea pigs have to be before seperation?

Advertisement

Expert: Nicole Bury - 11/5/2009


Question
Hi

I have 5 baby guinea pigs.
They were born in early October 2009.
Can you please tell me when they need to be seperated from there mother, so to stop any further breeding?
I have a large Rex male guinea pig.  Can I put any male baby guineapigs with him or is it best to put the smaller males on there own in a seperate cage?

Cheers
Sarah


Answer
Hello Sarah!
Its great that you asked, it shows that you are being a great step-mom to those babys! The normal time a mom is with the babys is 3-4 weeks. I would say that you should defiantly take the now sexually active teen boys to a third cage away from the male Rex and the mommy and daughters.
Try out the older piggy with the boys for awhile but separate them if fighting occurs. So in short, put the boys in a separate cage until they are men (couple months).

Guinea Pigs

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Nicole Bury

Expertise

I can answer every question anyone has! I am always willing to hit the books for other owners! I and my husband between me have 6 guinea pigs and one expecting, that we intend to keep 2 of. I can help with idle questions, everyday problems to serious health problems but I always suggest seeing a vet!

Experience

I have had 14 guinea pigs in my life with more to come. I have volunteered at the local shelter just to work with the small animals on a weekly basis and I have been to countless vets to soak up there advice, as well as looking in my 50 something books on guinea pigs. I know almost everything I can wrap my head around about guinea pigs! Sometimes my husband, who is an exotic bird vet/guinea pig fanatic helps me with the questions to!

Organizations
None. Unfortunately ;)

Education/Credentials
I have taken community courses for pet care, including small animals, but I have not been to school formal education (I am not a vet). Currently I am in the process of becoming a published author and I have my degree in creative writing. Someday I will have my masters. I teach local classes for advanced creative writing and literature for teens.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.