Buttercup
The babies are exactly one week old now. I looked at them closely and it appears that there are 3 boys and one girl. The twins and the Abby all have round shaped genitalia and the other one (brown and white at the far left) has more of a "Y" shaped genitalia. I'll have the vet verify it though.
I should also mention that the vet advised me to hold off loading the new mother and babies up and bringing them in for the first week unless it was absolutely necessary, which is why I haven't done so yet. They're all doing very well, which is a good thing. Now that they've made it through the first week with flying colors, I can get them in for a checkup and sexing.
I should also mention that the vet advised me to hold off loading the new mother and babies up and bringing them in for the first week unless it was absolutely necessary, which is why I haven't done so yet. They're all doing very well, which is a good thing. Now that they've made it through the first week with flying colors, I can get them in for a checkup and sexing.
The vet can't see the babies until July 21st, at which time they'll be 3 and a half weeks old. They should be able to stay with the mother until then, according to the vet. I have 2 extra cages, so I will be able to separate them as needed based on their genders until such time as we get moved to our new house. They'll all get plenty of space when that happens.
With the help of Sef (thank you so much), I was able to verify that Buttercup has two sons and two daughters. They're growing up so fast. She's already weaned them except for the occasional nurse of the little Abby. It's going to be time to separate the boys from mother and sisters very soon. They just turned 3 weeks old yesterday so I'm going to start giving the boys separate time and by Sunday, when they turn 4 weeks old I should be able to separate them permanently.
I'll have to buy one more big cage when I get to my new house in Missouri. I have Scruffy's first cage and it's big enough for two small guinea pigs until such time as I get the bigger one. They all eat like horses. I can't put too much hay in for them and they go through the veggies very quickly. Buttercup is getting plenty as well. I'm making sure of that.
I'll have to buy one more big cage when I get to my new house in Missouri. I have Scruffy's first cage and it's big enough for two small guinea pigs until such time as I get the bigger one. They all eat like horses. I can't put too much hay in for them and they go through the veggies very quickly. Buttercup is getting plenty as well. I'm making sure of that.
4 weeks old now and not nursing. They are eating hay, veggies and pellets on their own. The time has come to separate the boys from the mother and sisters. I feel sorry for them because they must be frightened of the new surroundings without Mom to hide and comfort them. I guess I'm their mother now, plus they have each other. I don't have a hidey with two openings except for the pipes. I cut the bottom out of it so when they're in it, they are laying on the bedding. That will keep it from getting really nasty when they pee and poop in it.
I had that problem with these tunnels before and ended up removing all but Sammy and Dean's because those two don't lay in them. They only go in theirs when they play or if something startles them. I had also taken Wilber and Grady's out because they totally grossed theirs out. That left them with nothing to hide in. It's not a terrible thing for them since their cage has cover on every side except for the front. I made their day today because I cut the bottom out of another tunnel for them. I made sure not to cut it too short so they can fit in it.
Oh, they will be just fine. I know that. I also know that it is the right thing to do separating them and I'm doing it at the right time. That doesn't mean I don't feel sorry for them. Those loud squeaks that sound like they're crying out for mommy don't help. They still have each other and the cage with Gilligan and Skipper is right there where they can all see each other.
I'll start chronicles on Buttercup's babies later, but in the meantime I'll introduce them here.
This one is Muffin. She's a very meek little girl. She is submissive to the other babies and hovers close to her mother. With the boys out of the picture, she'll have less competition, but I'll have to make sure the other girl and mom don't prevent her from getting enough food and water.
Here is Ruffles. Aptly named by my granddaughter, Hope for her Abby fur. She's an impetuous little thing. Full Abby personality.
Here's one of the boys. My wife named him Kahlua for his coloring. Pretty fitting. Not sure about his personality quite yet, but he doesn't seem to mind being held once you pick him up. He's also the most vocal of all the pups.
There's one more boy as yet unnamed. I am letting Ella name him since he's her favorite. He looks quite a bit like his brother, except he doesn't have as much white in him. As soon as she decides what to name him, I'll post it here.
This one is Muffin. She's a very meek little girl. She is submissive to the other babies and hovers close to her mother. With the boys out of the picture, she'll have less competition, but I'll have to make sure the other girl and mom don't prevent her from getting enough food and water.
Here is Ruffles. Aptly named by my granddaughter, Hope for her Abby fur. She's an impetuous little thing. Full Abby personality.
Here's one of the boys. My wife named him Kahlua for his coloring. Pretty fitting. Not sure about his personality quite yet, but he doesn't seem to mind being held once you pick him up. He's also the most vocal of all the pups.
There's one more boy as yet unnamed. I am letting Ella name him since he's her favorite. He looks quite a bit like his brother, except he doesn't have as much white in him. As soon as she decides what to name him, I'll post it here.
Last boy got his name and it's Jack. I let my granddaughter, Ella name him. I should have known she would choose a Supernatural character to name him after. I guess I should be thankful she didn't choose Castiel lol. Jack goes good with Kahlua, right? 😁
Anyway, Jack is nearly as vocal as Kahlua, only he's much louder. The two of them have been squeaking in protest since I separated them from the girls earlier today. I believe they are trying to call for their mother to come over and rescue them. I'm sure that in a day or two they'll get used to being on their own and settle down. Meanwhile we have been going in and giving them attention periodically throughout the day.
They went right after their veggies, so they aren't on a hunger strike as part of their protest. I haven't noticed that they are drinking much from their water bottle, but I'm too concerned as they get plenty with their veggies.