I have 2 Guinea Pigs - both female - they are 15 months old Shelties. My friend has a male. Are my two girls too old to breed with? I have read that to breed over the age of 8 months can be fatal to both mum or babies or both. Advice please? I don't want to put my girls at risk but I do want to expand my Guinea Pig family and I do want to think about showing my Shelties!
Answers:
The best age to breed female guinea pigs is 5 months. At about 8 months old their pelvic bones fuse together meaning they can't perform normal labor. You have to get them pregnant by 5 1/2 to 6 months or you'll likely face serious labor complications often resulting in the death of the sow and her babies. I understand the desire to breed guinea pigs but it's risky and not recommended. If you want to expand your family I'd suggest shelters. Many need homes and if you want to see baby guinea pigs and go through the birthing process you could try to foster a pregnant sow . I don't recommend breeding any cavies but please don't put your older pigs through it. Any guinea pigs need to have given birth before their pelvic bones fuse and then they don't fuse so unless they've given birth before you'll lose the sow and her babies.
i suggest buying another younger female. if they have never been bred from before then the pelvic bones will have fused and they wont be able to give birth, if they come into contact with a male when the end of gestation comes around they WILL die unless you have an emergency trip to the vets costing you $$$$$$$$$$
Although I am not 100% certain I would say that your sows are too old to breed, I personally would not take the chance of harming them. Another option would be to check out the rescues and shelters in your area for adoption.
Check out www.guinealynx.com everyone there is very helpful and there is some excellent info!
yes as someone else said there pelvic bones have fused. please dont breed any guinea pigs though. they can die to old or not. if u love ur guinea pigs you will not breed them. if u want to expand then adopt one from a shelter they need u.
Yes, the absolute latest age that you can breed is 10 months, with 8 months the preffered age to stop. At this age the cartilage betweent the pelvis fuse and the babies will not be able to get out. They can still breed but your sow will need a c-section, by doing this the sow and the babies will be at risk.
They are too old.
Breeding is highly discouraged because of the risk factors that are involves in it. Sows often have labor problems, and die. 1 out of 4 sows die during pregnancy. Plus, if the sow survives and gives birth, she may give birth to a lethal if they inherit 2 roan or 2 dalmation genes. These genes can be hidden even if they do not show any signs of the dalmation or roan breed. Their DNA will be a bit messed up, and lethals can have missing teeth, missing or small eyes, and many more problems. Also, when guinea pigs are 7 months old, their pelvic bones fuse together, so it is hard for the pigs to come out. They are born with their fur already on them. Breeding is not for piggie newbies.
There is also the over-population factor. Many guinea pigs get euthanized a day, whether you realize it or not. Many people think only cats and dogs are part of the over-population, but they are not. Try searching http://www.petfinder.com if you want to find really small guinea pigs or pregnant sows. Make sure you know what you are doing before you adopt a prego, though. Please note that not many of the United States's guinea pigs are listed on Petfinder, yet in most locations, you can usually find a guinea pig within 50 minutes or less from all locations. If you cannot find one, then you can keep checking for a few months. Some people can also arrange transportation for you if you contact the shelter. They may agree to go half way or even MORE.
I just found your question while searching, and figured I'd answer it. Please note that this answer is not meant to be rude like a few of the answers on the particular subject. :)
More pig info:
http://www.guinealynx.com
http://www.cavycages.com
http://www.guineapigs.info
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