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Some Things to Know Before You Breed
Unless you are prepared to deal with all the things that come along with breeding your pig, the best thing to is DON'T! Animal shelters kill guinea pigs every day because irresponsible breeders think it is a simple task to find them good homes. Most guinea pig litters average 3 0r 4 pups. Are you prepared to keep all 4 babies if suitable homes cannot be found? Do you have the proper cages needed to seperate the sows and boars once they are 3 weeks old? Boars can get their mother pregnant at that early of an age! Petstores won't often take them, it shouldn't even be an option you consider. So therefore before you breed think of the consequences!
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Getting Started
The single most important breeding consideration is that female guinea pigs should be first bred before 7 months of age. If the first breeding is delayed beyond this time, serious (sometimes life-threatening) problems with delivery are encountered. Females should be first bred between 3 and 7 months of age. Males should be at least 4 months of age. The sow's heat cycle lasts 14-19 days. The actual period in which the sow is receptive to the boar for breeding is approximately eight to fifteen hours during this cycle. Pregnancy lasts between 63 and 70 days. The gestation is shorter with larger litters and longer with small litters.
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Your Pregnant Sow
Pregnant sows exhibit a grossly enlarged abdomen during the later stages of pregnancy. Other than that and a little weight gain early on, there are really no other signs of pregnancy! Her body weight may actually double during pregnancy. The time of delivery is difficult to assess in guinea pigs due to the relatively long gestation period and lack of nest building by the sow. You will need to double the amount of Vitamin C intake your sow gets during her pregnancy. She will require 50mg of this vitamin instead of her usual 15-20mg everyday. She will also need to consume more pellets and veggies. Keep your guinea pig’s environment as stress free as possible. Keep the noise down. A peaceful space will help reassure a nervous sow. And cut down on the handling. You don't need to completely stop handling her, just cut it way down to avoid overstressing her.
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Labor and Delivery
The birth will begin when the pelvic bones spread to about the width of a thumb. The guinea pig will go into a humping posture, with her head between her legs, and pull at her vagina as she makes a "wheeking" noise. The pups will emerge quickly, with no more than 10 to 15 minutes between each. They’ll be wrapped in birth sacs, which must be removed if the animal is to survive. You can let the mother do it—you really should intervene as little as possible during the delivery. If absolutely necessary, you can "nip" the sac with your fingernails just over the mouth and peel it away from the pup. First-time mothers are often nervous and may not be able to handle it, in which case the pups will suffocate unless you intervene. While the mother waits for the next birth, she’ll clean her babies. You can help by taking a baby wipe and swiping quickly at the face, making sure the mouth is clear. Take the pup in a clean washcloth and rub it vigorously on its sides, and gently flex its legs.
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