Guinea pigs, like different rodents, are prolific breeders that may produce as much as 5 litters every year. Feminine guinea pigs (sows) can have warmth cycles (estrus) at any time of the 12 months, however they’re commonest in spring and final 16 days.
As soon as the guinea pig enters a warmth cycle, she’s fertile for about 6 to 11 hours—normally in the course of the evening. Females additionally enter a brand new warmth cycle shortly after giving beginning.
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Sow Sexual Maturity and Reproductive Cycle
Sows can have their first estrus at 5 or 6 weeks of age and may breed year-round, nevertheless it’s greatest to attend to breed till the guinea pig reaches about 500 grams or 2 to three months of age. Guinea pigs shouldn’t be bred after 8 months of age, as fusion of the pubic symphysis could make being pregnant and supply tough.
As soon as pregnant, the sow has a gestation interval of 65 days. Labor happens abruptly and takes about half-hour. Tough pregnancies are frequent, which is why it needs to be left to skilled breeders.
Guinea pig litters are round three to 4 pups, however they may very well be bigger. In contrast to some mammals, the pups are precocious at beginning, coated in hair, with full tooth and open eyes and ears. Start weight is normally between 60 and 100 grams. Younger guinea pigs eat stable meals inside the first few days and wean at 14 to twenty-eight days.
Postpartum estrus, a warmth cycle that happens after giving beginning, can occur inside 2 to fifteen hours of supply. If breeding happens, it’s doable for a sow to be in warmth whereas nursing or pregnant whereas weaning her pups.
Easy methods to Inform if a Guinea Pig Is in Warmth
When sows go into warmth, the boars will start vocalizing with a rumbling sound that’s like purring. Sows could vocalize as properly, however they are usually stressed throughout warmth cycles. Boars additionally attempt to mount females in the event that they’re saved in the identical enclosure.
Throughout warmth, the membrane over the sow’s vagina will open up. This membrane closes as soon as mating is full and the pups are born, then reopens for the following warmth cycle.
Easy methods to Inform If a Guinea Pig Is Pregnant
It’s tough to find out being pregnant within the first few days, however guinea pigs get a lot larger towards the top of being pregnant. Guinea pigs don’t construct nests for infants like different animals, so you need to search for different modifications like the scale of the sow and a noticeable widening of the pelvis nearing supply time.
Ought to Guinea Pigs Be Spayed?
Spaying guinea pigs is feasible with the assistance of an skilled veterinarian, nevertheless it’s an costly and dangerous choice. It’s typically simpler to neuter a male or maintain the male and female guinea pigs separated to keep away from unintentional mating.
It’s not beneficial for informal pet house owners or amateurs to aim to breed guinea pigs. This isn’t solely due to the dangers for the sow however due to the issue find houses for the litter. Guinea pigs are broadly available in pet stores and from breeders, so the market doesn’t want extra from inexperienced breeders and unintentional pairings.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs could be abundant breeders with precocious babies. They will go into warmth a number of instances a 12 months and produce quite a few litters. Veterinarians don’t advocate beginner guinea pig breeding due to its dangers, so it’s greatest to neuter any boars within the colony or maintain the boars and sows separate to keep away from unintentional litters.
Featured Picture Credit score: Sopon Phutthima, Shutterstock
