Should the father be present?
The boar should be removed about 2 weeks before the young are due. Although he will not even think about harming the offspring, it is possible they may be hurt when he attempts to mate the sow a few hours after birth. How long is the gestation period?
The average length of pregnancy is 65 to 75 days. Expect only 2 or 3 babies in the first litter and then perhaps between 3 and 6 in subsequent litters. How do I know that the young are healthy?
The babies should weigh between 3 and 4 ounces, and should be lively and alert only a few hours after birth. They should make characteristic noises and will want to eat the same food as their mother in a matter of days. How long are the young suckled for?
The usual length of time is around 3 weeks. Guinea pigs are born with enough reserves to last 24 hours without malnourishment, so don't be alarmed if they do not suckle during this time. If they are not suckling after this, check to see if the sow is producing milk. If not, milk must be provided either by surrogate mother or by hand-rearing. |
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