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Post by lisajaneh on Sept 22, 2008 12:30:51 GMT
I am not a breeder but bought two himalayans recently and the sow just happened to be pregnant. Having never had anything pregnant before, I am facing the imminent arrival with some trepidation. Assuming she has more than one baby, I have no clue what to do with the babies when they need homing. Can someone give me an idea of how to get nice homes for these little ones. I am worried that I will be so over protective of them that no one will be good enough and I wont let them go. should I contact pet shops or put ads somewhere, and how do I know whether people are good enough to have them?  |
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Post by snailspace on Sept 23, 2008 13:13:45 GMT
Hang in there! Someone will answer this soon, I'm sure  From the advice I've read on here before, I would say if, as your post suggests, the other is a male, you must separate them as soon as the babies are born. I think they would mate again right away if not - but don't quote me on that! Of course, you probably have them separate anyway, so just ignore this  |
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Post by lisajaneh on Sept 23, 2008 16:13:09 GMT
I have separated them and poor old Harry had the snip too  not a great time for Harry.  |
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Post by Hugs-Cavies (Doris) on Sept 23, 2008 21:54:46 GMT
I personally wouldn't take them to pet shops, rehoming privately - that way you know where they are going. You could of course keep all or some of the sows she has to live with her and her neutered daddy. |
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Post by lisajaneh on Sept 24, 2008 9:33:44 GMT
I think I am actually swaying towards the option of keeping them all myself. Robert is definitely going to give me that "you gotta be kidding" look  but listening to what others have said on here, I think I need to look for someone to come in and look after them all if I go away, rather than take them to a boarding place, as that is the only reason why I would think about not keeping them. So I think I have probably answered my own question there.  |
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Post by pamperedpiggycavie on Sept 26, 2008 19:00:12 GMT
The most important advice I can gove you is remove the baby boars at three weeks...or you will have MORE. The baby boars could live together. I know you have said Harry has had the snip, but i think it's something like 6 weeks until he's not fertile, check with the vet. Boars must be removed BEFORE babies are born or the babies may get trampled as the boar mates with the soe IMMEDIATELY after birth.
Amanda
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Post by lisajaneh on Sept 26, 2008 21:37:28 GMT
Great advice Amanda, thanks so much. The last thing I want is more!  Harry has been separated from Coco since his snip so he can go back with her in about two weeks time. This should be about a week after she has had the babies. I am seriously keeping my fingers cross for a little visit from the Sow fairy!  I've got a new pen ready for the boys (if there are any) and will separate them as you say at three weeks. I wasnt sure how long they needed to be with the mum for her feeding them but I am guessing its before the three weeks is up. She let me feel her tummy yesterday and it was all quivery with little sudden jumps. Ooooooooh I was way too emotional - it was seriously cool.  I'm sure she is sick of me keep peering at her. If she could speak, Im sure she would say "quit staring at me woman, I will let you know when there's something to see!"  Very exciting!  Reason for Editing: typo |
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Post by Hugs-Cavies (Doris) on Sept 26, 2008 21:51:16 GMT
you have (at the most) 3 weeks before she pops then!!
They should have stopped suckling by 3 weeks and be eating solids. Most try in the first few days. We had Baden putting Hay in his mouth at only 12 hours old.
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Post by lisajaneh on Sept 30, 2008 20:35:08 GMT
OH MY GOD!!! THEY'RE HERE!!! I came home from work and went into the shed, to a very eerie silence. No wheeking, nothing. I knew something had happened but I was almost too scared to go and look in case it was bad. But it was the most amazing thing ever. ;D I thought there were two but Coco was keeping two more warm behind her. I could have only missed it all by an hour or so. 1 looks a little yellow but the other three are all fluffy. Mum look fine and was eagerly awaiting her tea. She looks like she's taken it all in her stride.  I on the hand was running around like a headless chicken, shouting at Rob "They're here". Then we just looked at them, not knowing what to do. Here are a couple of pictures.   |
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Post by meggiepiggy on Sept 30, 2008 20:39:00 GMT
Congratulations to you and Coco  A beautiful photo of gorgeous babies |
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Post by Hugs-Cavies (Doris) on Sept 30, 2008 22:17:11 GMT
They are lovely, glad they arrived safely.
All you need to do is keep mum topped up with plenty of good food while she is lactating.
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Post by lisajaneh on Oct 1, 2008 12:04:15 GMT
It was such a wonderful moment. :-*Realising they had arrived and were all OK was such a relief. It seemed like the longest wait ever! (I am NOT a patient woman :   Coco practically inhaled her food the second it appeared. I was pleased to see she doing OK. She seemed quite laid back, but the second one wandered off a bit, she rounded it up and brought it back into the group. Then proceeded to practically sit on them.  Harry is being the proud dad and keeps going up to the divide and sniffing them, and then touching noses with Coco. Its sooooo sweet. When I went into them this morning, all you could see was four little bums lined up in front of Coco, as she was feeding them. Ahhhh! Cant wait to get home and see them. |
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Post by PigPog on Oct 2, 2008 17:58:25 GMT
They're just amazing... I would definately keep them all myself.  I would keep them together until three weeks when any boars can start reproducing, as Amanda has said. I would then keep the boars separate from the sows until they're old enough to be neutered (your vet should be able to give you guidance). Then I'd give the boars six weeks to make sure any sperm is dead, and then see if the family will live together. Dad might not accept his sons back into the group so you may have to house them away from him. I have never bred anything before so my advice comes from what I've learned from others, and definately chatting more with people here who do have experience would be a good idea. |
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Post by Hugs-Cavies (Doris) on Oct 2, 2008 19:03:46 GMT
They're just amazing... I would definately keep them all myself. I would keep them together until three weeks when any boars can start reproducing, as Amanda has said. I would then keep the boars separate from the sows until they're old enough to be neutered (your vet should be able to give you guidance). Then I'd give the boars six weeks to make sure any sperm is dead, and then see if the family will live together. Dad might not accept his sons back into the group so you may have to house them away from him. I have never bred anything before so my advice comes from what I've learned from others, and definately chatting more with people here who do have experience would be a good idea. Unfortunately you can only have one neutered boar in with a group, the Dad would attack the other boars over the sows. |
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Post by lisajaneh on Oct 3, 2008 12:17:55 GMT
I still haven't touched them, so I have no clue if they are boars or sows, but I am keeping everything crossed that they are sows. If they are all boys, it means two more runs (might need an extension to the shed . If they are all girls, and I'm going to keep the Mum/Dad and babies together, when can Harry go back in with the Mum and babies. He had his teabags removed 22nd August, so this weekend is the end of six weeks. I just don't want to put him back in with her and find they crush the babies. what do you think? Another question. Even though Coco cleaned herself up pretty well, she still looks a little grubby round the bum. Is it OK to bath her, or should I wait a bit longer. I'm not sure that I should handle her after the birth (being sore or stretched, or whatever else). What do you think? thanks again. Lisa |
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