April Updates

I've been a little CRAZY busy lately, and this poor blog has been neglected in favour of my facebook page because of it. So even though it's nearly midnight, I thought I'd share some random photos I snapped over the course of today.

Above is my 14month old chewing on a branch (!?) while Galaxy looks on from the safety of the yellow rocker!



And I couldn't resist this shot - Pollyanna after munching down on a celery stalk while I felt her babies move! (yes, I can confirm she is pregnant to Liam, due approx 6/5/12). I turned her around to look at her little face and found bright green celery juice dripping in a puddle at her feet! She made a right mess of my table! But how cute is that pose - foot on the stalk like she's making sure I know it's hers!




And this is what became of the rest of the celery! lol





This was Ruby at her weigh in. She is the first female pig I've had pass the 1.5kg mark! Granted she is in the last week/s of her pregnancy... but still, this is one BIG girl!


And lastly, the exploring trio - Cherub, Pollyanna again and Crumble. The girls never used to venture as far as the patio, but now that the tower cage is there they're constantly walking over to say hello! So cute. And so brave!

weigh in

[Lavender and Romeo fighting over a blade of grass!]

The weigh in for Saturday the 17th Dec 2011:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 960g (gain 10g) - 36wks (8.5m)
Crumble is 1135g (gain 50g) - 1yr
Elodie is 825g (gain 75g) - 20wks (4.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 565g (gain 40g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Lavender Mist is 710g (gain 5g) - 18wks (4m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 810g (gain 10g) - 19wks (4m)
Molly is 700g (gain 35g) - 18wks (4m)


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 980g (gain 40g) - 42wks (9.5m)
Alice is 960g (gain 70g) - 45wks (10.5m)
Chloe is 540g (gain 70g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Custard is 960g (gain 35g) - 4.5yrs
Delilah is 815g (gained 25g) - approx 1yr
Galaxy is 1065g (gain 70g)- 49wks (11m)
Ivy is 660g (gained 70g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Jasmine is 520g (gain 40g) - 13wks (3m)
Leilani is 1185g (gained 60g) - 26wks (6m)- (Pregnant, due approx 30/12/11)
Lotus is 630g (gained 55g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Millicent is 880g (gain 95g) - 19wks (4.5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Nixie is 365g (gained 60g) - 5wks (1m)
Peppa is 1255g (gained 75g) - 1yr - (Pregnant, due approx 6/1/12)
Phoebe is now 800g (gain 50g) - 35wks (8m)
Pollyanna is now 395g (gained 70g) - 6wks (1.5m)
Ruby is 1080g (gain 60g) - 39wks (9m)
Sparrow is 1030g (gain 25g) - 37wks (8.5m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Subi is 1165g (gain 5g) - 2.5yrs - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Tabitha is 400g (gain 55g) - 7wks (1.2m)
Tigerlily is 590g (gain 65g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Twizzle is 660g (gain 60g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Violet is 755g (gained 35g) - 22wks (5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Xeraphina is 530g (gain 50g) 10wks (2.5m)
Yeti is 950g (gain 80g) - 28wks (6.5m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Zinnia is 625g (gain 65g) - 12wks (2.5m)


***New Mums***

Rafia is 595g (gain 15g) - 15wks (3.5m) - (nursing)
Juji is 150g (gain 30g) - 2wks
Jairo is 165g (gain 35g - 2wks

Ginger is 945g (gained 10g)- 39wks (9m) - (nursing)
Gypsy is 160g (gain 45g) - 2wks
Grace is 175g (gain 55g) - 2wks

Lulu is 625g (gain 25g) - 16wks (3.5m) - (nursing)
Anthea is 230g (gain 55g) - 3wks
Amity is 205g (gain 45g) - 3wks

Bonnie is 955g (gain 20g) - 29wks (6.5m) - (nursing)
Bella-Donna is 300g (gain 55g) - 3wks
Bethanie is 305g (gain 70g) - 3wks


[the aftermath of grain-eating time. They get it everywhere!]


Wow.

All I can say is WOW. That has got to be one of the best weeks we've had with consistent gains in a long time. Even the nursing mum's gained. I was sitting here trying to work out what we did differently this week... and the only thing was the new batch of grain! They're all obviously enjoying this lot!



[Yeti's hair is already growing back in!]

I've been waiting on a few of my girls to determine if they had buns in the oven, or if it was just a bit of excess grain-gobbling. But this week we've confirmed Millicent (fathered by Malakai), Violet (father by Pooh Bear - the texel on loan), Sparrow (fathered by Liam), Subi (most likely fathered by Liam, as Sprout didn't seem to have done the job), and Yeti (fathered by Liam).

*Yeti and Liam are going to have STUNNING babies! They will be alpaca x texel.

*Subi and Liam's bubs will be purebred rex x pedigree texel.

*Sparrow and Liam's bubs have a high possibility of being curly (Sparrow's two litter-brothers were both curly haired, so it's very likely she carries the recessive gene)

*and Violet and Pooh Bear will have either purebred texels (if I can't get his paperwork) or pedigree if I can.



[Ginger having a snooze yesterday afternoon]

Milli's pregnancy

I am very happy to be able to confirm Miss Millicent as pregnant, due approx 15th Jan 2012. The father is Malakai - so if these babies are anything other than lilac fluff-balls I think I'll have to buy myself a hat so I can eat it! :P


I've also just listed Alba on the 'available' page. She's one of our non-breeder pet-girls, and only available for adoption as part of our decision a few months ago to try and keep some space for rescue/foster pigs as needed. She's such a gorgeous little lady, and will make an awesome pet for an awesome family. She'll be staying here until the right family comes along :)

Weigh in and Peppa's Pregnancy

The weigh in for Saturday the 3rd Dec 2011:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 925g (loss 30g) - 34wks (8m)
Crumble is 1080g (gain 25g) - 1yr
Elodie is 730g (gain 5g) - 18wks (4m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 470g (gain 45g) - 9wks (2m)
Lavender Mist is 670g (gain 20g) - 16wks (3.5m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 730g (loss 15g) - 18wks (4m)
Millicent is 715g (gain 35g) - 18wks (4m)
Molly is 615g (gain 5g) - 16wks (3.5m)
Sparrow is 980g (same) - 35wks (8m)


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 665g (gained 25g) - 20wks (4.5m)
Pooh Bear is 1040g (gained 5g) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 955g (gain 35g) - 40wks (9m)
Alice is 900g (gain 30g) - 43wks (10m)
Chloe is 450g (gain 60g) - 9wks (2m)
Custard is 995g (gain 30g) - 4.5yrs
Delilah is 665g (gained 90g) - approx 1yr
Galaxy is 980g (gain 15g)- 47wks (11m)
Ivy is 565g (gained 65g) - 10wks (2m)
Jasmine is 450g (gain 25g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Leilani is 1030g (gained 80g) - 24wks (5.5m) - (Pregnant, Due approx 30/12/11)
Lotus is 535g (gained 35g) - 10wks (2m)
Peppa is 1115g (gained 20g) - 1yr - (Pregnant, due approx 6/1/12)
Ruby is 1020g (gained 40g) - 37wks (8.5m)
Subi is 1170g (gain 10g) - 2.5yrs
Tabitha is 315g (gain 65g) - 5wks (1m)
Tigerlily is 525g (gain 65g) - 10wks (2m)
Twizzle is 585g (gain 75g) - 10wks (2m)
Xeraphina is 445g (gain 55) 8wks (1.5m)
Yeti is 890g (gain 30g) - 26wks (6m)
Zinnia is 555g (gain 65g) - 10wks (2m)


***Re-homing/Foster Pigs***
Rafia is 795g (gain 55g) - 13wks (3m) - (Heavily pregnant, due approx 8/12)



***New Mums***
Ginger was 810g post birth (lost 635g, 490g was baby), now 855g (gained 45g since Wed)- 37wks (9m) - (nursing)
Gypsy is 80g (lost 20g since birth) - newborn
Grace is 80g (lost 10g since birth) - newborn

Lulu is 575g (lost 10g) - 14wks (3m) - (nursing)
Anthea is 125g (gain 15g) - 1 week
Amity is 120g (same) - 1 week

Bonnie is 970g (gain 20g) - 27wks (6m) - (nursing)
Bella-Donna is 185g (gain 45g) - 1 week
Bethanie is 180g (gain 40g) - 1 week

Phoebe is now 725g (gain 15g) - 33wks (7.5m) - (nursing)
Nixie is 235g (gained 50g) - 3wks



So not a bad week all round. Sheba and Demi went to a very special new home to live out their days in luxury! And Noah went to his very delighted new mum as well! We have Pollyanna arrive, along with Ginger's litter on Wednesday. Very busy!

We also have another confirmed pregnancy! At last - I can confirm that Peppa is pregnant to Malakai! He's doing his job!!! lol. I am SO excited to see these babies. Peppa is stunning, and Malakai is incredible as well. I've estimated her due date as early Jan 2012.

Weigh in with 45 piggies!

[Our very adoptable 'Sadie', now 4 weeks old. Check the Available Page for all current adoptable pigs]




The weigh in for Saturday the 26th November 2011:

*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 955g (gain 5g) - 33wks (7.5m)
Crumble is 1055g (loss 45g) - 1 year old (Happy Birthday Crumble!)
Elodie is 725g (same) - 17wks (4m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 425g (gain 50g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Lavender Mist is 650g (loss 30g) - 15wks (3.5m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 745g (gain 25g) - 17wks (4m)
Millicent is 680g (gain 30g) - 17wks (4m)
Molly is 610g (gain 20g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Sparrow is 980g (loss 20g) - 34wks (8m)


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 640g (gained 10g) - 19wks (4.5m)
Pooh Bear is 1035g (gained 5g) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 920g (loss 10g) - 39wks (8.5m)
Alice is 870g (loss 5g) - 42wks (10m)
Chloe is 390g (gain 50g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Custard is 960g (loss 50g) - 4.5yrs
Demi is 480g (gained 60g) - 9wks (2m)
Galaxy was 965g (loss 15g)- 46wks (10.5m)
Ginger is 1445g (gained 70g) - 36wks (8.5m) - (Heavily pregnant, due approx 2/12)
Ivy is 500g (gained 35g) - 9wks (2m)
Jasmine is 425g (gain 50g) - 10wks (2m)
Leilani is 950g (gained 60g) - 23wks (5.5m) - (Pregnant, Due approx 30/12)
Lotus is 500g (gained 40g) - 9wks (2m)
Peppa is 1095g (gained 75g) - 1yr
Ruby is 980g (gained 5g) - 36wks (8.5m)
Sheba is 1035g (gain 5g) - 44wks (10.5m)
Subi is 1160g (loss 20g) - 2.5yrs
Tigerlily is 460g (loss 10g) - 9wks (2m)
Twizzle is 510g (gain 20g) - 9wks (2m)
Yeti is 860g (loss 20g) - 25wks (5.5m)
Zinnia is 490g (gain 20g) - 9wks (2m)


***Re-homing/Foster Pigs***
Rafia is 740g (gained 20g) - 12wks (2.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 8/12)
Tabitha is 250g (gain 15g) - 4wks - (treating for mites)
Xeraphina is 390g (same) 7wks - (treating for mites)


***New Mums***
Lulu is 585g (gave birth) - 13wks (3m) - (nursing)
Anthea is 110g (newborn)
Amity is 120g (newborn

Bonnie is 950g (gave birth) - 26wks (6m) - (nursing)
Bella-Donna is 140g (gain 15g since birth) - newborn
Bethanie is 140g (loss 10g since birth) - newborn

Phoebe is now 710g (loss 15g) - 32wks (7.5m) - (nursing)
Noah is 205g (gained 55g) - 2wks
Nixie is 185g (gained 35g) - 2wks

Delilah is 665g (lost 40g) - approx 1yr - (nursing)
Sadie is 260g (gained 25g) - 4wks
Suri is 270g (gained 20g) - 4wks



Everyone seems to be doing really well. A few losses, and a few gains, but we're pretty much on the right track. Noah and Nixie are little fire-crackers! They're a bit like the 'spoilt brats' of the girls group, getting away with outrageous things like sitting smack-bang in the middle of the grain bowl! All the other babies hang back at the outskirts, taking their turn once the girls have lost interest.

But Noah and Nixie aren't like the other babies! lol. They are definitely their mother's children!




We have some exciting news too, Leilani has been confirmed pregnant, approx 5 weeks. I've been keeping an eye on her for the last few weeks, but wasn't sure until today. She's always been a little chubby! She spent a fortnight with Malakai before I got information from her original breeder that her background is actually pedigree texel x pedigree coronet. That changed my plans quick smart - and she was taken from her stay-over with Malakai, and moved in with Liam. The problem with this is that the 'change over' happened exactly 5 weeks ago! So I won't know who the daddy is until the babies are born. Both boys have very different genetics to offer, so I'm thinking it should be pretty obvious. I'm secretly hoping they're Liam's, but if they're Malakai's it will be his first litter which will be nice too.


And lastly, our mite infected pigs are doing really well. Xeraphina (shown below) and Tabitha have no bald spots/scabbing/scaling anymore, and their coats are already growing back in. One more week or improvement and they'll be able to join the rest of the ladies in the mansion! (I'll do a more detailed post on their progress later in the week.)

Weigh in

[Custard, enjoying the cooler afternoon today]


The weigh in for Saturday the 19th November 2011:

*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 950g (gain 20g) - 32wks (7.5m)
Sparrow is 1010g (loss 15g) - 33wks (7.5m)
Crumble is 1100g (same) - 51wks (11.5m)


*** Sprout's Pad ***
Sprout is 910g (same) - 33wks (7.5m)
Romeo is 375g (loss 25g) - 7wks (1.5m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 720g (loss 10g) - 16wks (3.5m)
Millicent is 650g (same) - 16wks (3.5m)
Peppa is 1020g (lost 70g) - 1yr
Molly is 590g (lost 25g) - 14wks (3m)


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 630g (gained 25g) - 18wks (4m)
Pooh Bear is 1030g (gained 300g) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 930g (lost 20g) - 38wks (8.5m)
Alice is 875g (gain 25g) - 41wks (9.5m)
Bonnie is 1310g (gained 60g) - 25wks (5.5m) - (Heavily Pregnant, due end Nov)
Chloe is 340g (gain 20g) - 7wks (1.5m)
*Custard is 1010g (gained 20g) - 4.5yrs
*Demi is 420g (gained 50g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Elodie is 725g (gained 10g) - 16wks (3.5m)
Galaxy was 980g (gain 30g)- 45wks (10.5m)
Ginger is 1375g (gained 20g) - 35wks (8m) - (pregnant, due approx 2/12)
*Ivy is 465g (gained 75g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Jasmine is 385g (gain 20g) - 9wks (2m)
Lavender Mist is 680g (gained 15g) - 14wks (3m)
Leilani is 890g (gained 15g) - 22wks (5m)
Lotus is 460g (gained 5g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Ruby is 975g (gained 5g) - 35wks (8m)
Sheba is 1030g (gain 20g) - 43wks (10m)
Subi is 1180g (lost 15g) - 2.5yrs
Tigerlily is 470g (gain 50g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Twizzle is 490g (gain 25g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Yeti is 880g (gain 10g) - 24wks (5.5m)
Zinnia is 470g (gain 30g) - 8wks (1.5m)


***Re-homing/Foster Pigs***
Rafia is 720g (gained 45g) - 11wks (2.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 8/12)
Lulu is 780g (gained 40) - 12wks (2.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 5/12)
Olivia is 350g (gain 45g) - 6wks (1.5m) - (On Hold)
Tabitha is 235g (gain 30g) - 3wks - (treating for mites)
Xeraphina is 390g (gain 50g) 6wks - (treating for mites)


***New Mums***
Phoebe is now 725g (same) - 31wks (7m) - (nursing)
Noah is 150g (gained 60g) - 1wk
Nixie is 150g (gained 55g) - 1wk

Delilah is 705g (lost 30g) - approx 1yr - (nursing)
Sadie is 235g (gained 60g) - 3wks
Suri is 250g (gained 60g) - 3wks

A bit of a so-so week of gains this week. The new girls being treated for mites are doing well though, and so are Phoebe's bubs - HUGE gains for such tiny creatures!


We had a bit of an incident with our free-ranging this afternoon too. I thought I'd latched Malakai's cage properly after topping up their grain (especially now that he sits inside the perimeter area of the mansion cage), but I hadn't! And yes, he did what any male guinea pig would do - he realised he could get out, and he found himself some willing partners! Thankfully I was there, filling up water bottles and grain bowls when I heard the ruckus, but after checking the nether-regions of the lady's in question (Alice and Galaxy), I do believe he may have hit his target! Cheeky little bugger. We still don't know if he's actually 'live' yet though, so it may have just been a test-run, so to speak. But I do know that I'll be doubled checking those latches from now on!

Not such a problem when everyone's safely locked away in their cages - all he would have done is go for a bit of a walk in the safety of the perimeter area. It was just one of those moments where everything just worked out for Mr Malakai! :P

To be honest, my main concern was more about Alice and Galaxy only just having had their litters a few months ago. I like to give my girls a bit more of a break then that usually! I have been reading a very informative document - 'Advanced Guide to Keeping Cavies' by another Brisbane Cavy Breeder though, and he explains how a female shouldn't be in show condition (ie. nice and fat) before falling pregnant due to the possible complications from carrying the extra weight. He explains that he actually gets his girls to loose a bit of condition before they're put in for breeding. And here I was trying to get my girls back into full-fatness between litters!

What I've taken away from that piece of information is that perhaps having a blanket-rule of '4 month break between litters' isn't going to work every time. Some mum's might need the full 4 months to recover, while others might get too conditioned/fat over that time. That's what I'm telling myself right now anyways - until I know if Malakai's misadventures have amounted to anything in a few weeks time! :P

Still, there was a lot of VERY interesting reading in the e-book. I'd recommend it if you're interested in the finer points of genetics: coat types, dominant/recessive genes/ colour inheritance etc. You do have to remember that it is one person's opinion though, and I don't agree with everything written, but it certainly gave me some information/guidance that I wasn't aware of already. There's always something to learn, no matter how long you've been in the game! :P


And after that rather long-winded ramble, I'll keep my next few captions short! These are just some shots of captured of Ginger this afternoon - showing off that incredible belly! I'm actually thinking we might have 5 babies... at least! This will definitely be a birth I'll need to be present for!






And Bonnie has surprised me by starting to open her pelvic bone this week too. I first noticed it earlier in the week, and decided to bring her inside for monitoring last night. She's continuing to open, and may possibly have her babies in the next few days. OR - she might do a 'Ruby' on me, and hold onto her litter for the next two weeks before her estimated due date! :P

(I had to include this pic too - it looks like Phoebe is telling Bonnie what to expect from birth... Bonnie looks a bit shocked!)


creatures!

Weigh in

The weigh in for Saturday the 12th November 2011:

*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 930g (gain 35g) - 31wks (7m)
Sparrow is 1025g (gain 70g) - 32wks (7.5m) (possibly pregnant, waiting to confirm)
Yeti is 870g (gain 45g) - 23wks (5.5m)


*** Sprout's Pad ***
Sprout is 910g (gain 5g) - 32wks (7.5m)
Otis is 335g (gain 125) - 5wks (1m)
Romeo is 400g (gain 70g) - 6wks (1m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 730g (gain 40g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Millicent is 650g (gain 80g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Peppa is 1090g (gain 140g) - 1yr (possibly pregnant, waiting to confirm)


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 605g (lost 20g) - 17wks (4m)
Pooh Bear is 1000g (lost 50g) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 950g (gain 60g) - 37wks (8.5m)
Alice is 850g (gain 85g) - 40wks (9m)
Bonnie is 1250g (gained 160g) - 24wks (5.5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 2/12)
Chloe is 320g (gain 60g) - 6wks (1m)
Crumble is 1100g (gained 45g) - 50wks (11.5m)
Custard is 1010g (gained 20g) - 4.5yrs
Demi is 420g (gained 50g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Elodie is 715g (gained 35g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Galaxy was 950g (gain 95g)- 44wks (10.5m)
Ginger is 1355g (gained 260g) - 34wks (8m) - (pregnant, due approx 2/12)
Ivy is 465g (gained 75g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Jasmine is 365g (gain 45g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Lavender Mist is 665g (gained 25g) - 13wks (3m)
Leilani is 875g (gained 15g) - 21wks (4.5m)
Lotus is 455g (gained 70g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Molly is 615g (gained 25g) - 13wks (3m)
Ruby is 970g (lost 10g) - 34wks (8m)
Sheba is 1010g (gain 20g) - 42wks (9.5m)
Subi is 1195g (gain 30g) - 2.5yrs
Tigerlily is 430g (gain 35g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Twizzle is 465g (gain 60g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Zinnia is 440g (gain 60g) - 7wks (1.5m)


***Re-homing/Foster Pigs***
Rafia is 685g (gained 100g) - 10wks (2.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 8/12)
Lulu is 720g (gained 80) - 11wks (2.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 5/12)
Olivia is 305g (gain 45g) - 5wks (1m) - (On Hold)
Tabitha is 205g (first weigh in) - 2wks - (treating for mites)
Xeraphina is 340g (first weigh in) 5wks - (treating for mites)
Flick is 590g (first weigh in) - 10wks - (On Hold)

***New Mums***
Phoebe is now 725g (lost 360g) - 30wks (7m)- (gave birth, nursing)
Noah is 90g (gained 15g in the last two days!) - newborn
Nixie is 95g (gained 5g in the last two days) - newborn

Delilah is 735g (first weigh in) - approx 1yr (nursing)
Sadie is 175g (first weigh in) - 2wks
Suri is 190g (first weigh in) - 2wks


And, we're almost at capacity again! It seems that as quickly as my babies find wonderful new families, and my foster pigs waddle off to new homes, more piggies end up taking their place! I can't claim innocence there though, I do love to meet new pigs, and help those that need a bit of assistance.



The two new girls from yesterday's intake are doing a lot better this evening than they were this morning. I woke up to find this mess on Xeraphina's back - she was compulsively biting into herself. The most logical explanation for this is simply that the ivermectin treatment I administered yesterday has exacerbated the mange mites, and she's now itchier than ever. Hopefully the drug will start killing off the bugs very soon and some of that itchiness will subside. I must admit she's been very good this afternoon, and the wound doesn't look so raw any more.

So while my quarantined newbies stayed inside in air-conditioned comfort, the rest of the pigs were getting some grass time. I've moved Sprout and Malakai's cages and positioned them behind the mansion cage to try and avoid whatever it was about their old position that seemed to be stressing them out. So far so good too - both cages had good gains this week - making up for lost time!



I also gave a select few girls a taste of supervised free-ranging while our puppy dog was locked in the now empty side-yard with a big bone to keep him happy. Bonnie loved it - and is getting quite large now! Not as large as Ginger though, who gained an incredible 260g this week. That is a new record for us. You can feel every last gram of that too when you pick her up. Either she's a little further along than I guessed, or there are a LOT of babies in there...



Lulu's really bulked out in the last week or so too. Her fungal infection has completely cleared up as well. All she needs to do now is feed those growing babies of hers!



Oh - and I couldn't end this week's weigh in without this awesome shot of Bonnie and her mum Subi together! Colour-contrasting fat bottoms!

Lulu's ear - 5 days later

These are some photos of Lulu's ear that I took yesterday. You can see how much the fungal infection has cleared up since we first got her. And that was only 5 days worth of treatment.



All I did was bath her in Malaseb, used a bit of betadine on the ear for the first day or so - it didn't seem to be responding to that, so I pulled the big guns out - canesten cream! I think the skin was quite dry/sore/damaged too, and the canesten has moisturiesed it a bit as well. She'll need the cream for at least another week or two, even after the skin looks normal again. Just to make sure the last of the fungal spores are killed and it doesn't come right back again.

She's starting to calm down a bit more too, which is nice to see. She's so patient with me while I fumble around trying to get cream on both sides of her floppy little ear. Her babies are among the most active I've felt in a mumma piggy too (which could also be due to the fact that she's so little, and the skin is so stretched already that there's not much between my hand and their little feet!).

She's a lovely little girl and will make an awesome, gentle pet when the whole 'baby thing' is over! ;)

Lulu - pregnant pet shop rescue pig

I had avoided going into our local pet shop over the last week after my impulse purchase of Lotus last wednesday... but curiosity got the better of me today, and I had to have a peek and see if they still had pigs. The first ones I noticed were some stunning long haired boys. Then I spotted a lonely little girl in the other cage. When the assistant lifted her out, I knew it was the same girl who'd been there last week - and I'd thought she was pregnant then too.

A quick belly check and I confirmed my suspicions - she was maybe 5-6week pregnant, and only about 10-12 weeks old at most. I decided it was one of those moments when I'd been given a second chance to help out, and to walk away again would have been wrong. So we scooped her up and brought her home.


I've called her Lulu, and she's a dark blue/grey (not quite black) and cream classic smooth coat. She is riddled with lice and has a nasty fungal infection on her ear that goes right into the canal. She's quite a timid little thing, and really protested at being fungal washed and treated. But I had to weigh up the risk of not treating her before she gives birth, versus the risk of the stress of the bath. Hopefully I made the right choice.



She will be in quarantine for quite a while I'd say, but once she's looking healthier and her babies are born/weaned, she will need a new permanent home herself. Feel free to let me know (eleb2000@hotmail.com) if you're interesting in offering this little lady a place to call her own.

Weigh in and some confirmed pregnancies

The weigh in for Sunday the 30th October 2011:

*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 920g (same) - 29wks (7m)
Sparrow is 980g (gain 5g) - 30wks (7m)
Yeti is 825g (gained 15g) - 21wks (4.5m)


*** Sprout's Pad ***
Sprout is 950g (gain 35g) - 30wks (7m)
Subi is 1190g (same) - 2.5yrs


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 710g (gained 75g) - 13wks (3m)
Millicent is 605g (gained 45g) - 13wks (3m)
Peppa is 1010g (gained 75g) - 1yr
(Leilani has been taken out, as I discovered that her background is more suited to breeding with Liam (she has a pedigree texel father!), and Milli has taken her place. She's reached the 600g mark early).


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 595g (gained 25g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Pooh Bear is 1020g (first weigh in) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 875g (gain 10g) - 35wks (8m)
Beeno is 970g (gained 15g) - 35wks (8m)
Bonnie is 1060g (gained 55g) - 22wks (5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 2nd Dec)
Crumble is 1040g (gained 15g) - 48wks (11m)
Custard is 950g (lost 15g) - 4.5yrs
Demi is 285g (gained 30g) - 5wks (1m)
Elodie is 630g (gained 55g) - 13wks (3m)
Galaxy was 855g (gain 30g)- 43wks (10m)
Ginger is 1095g (gained 70g) - 32wks (7.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 2nd Dec)
Ivy is 345g (gained 50g) - 5wks (1m)
Jasmine is 280g (gain 15g) - 6wks (1m)
Lavender Mist is 580g (gained 50g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Leilani is 835g (gained 15g) - 19wks (4.5m)
Lotus is 325g (first weigh in) - 5wks (1m)
Molly is 550g (gained 20g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Phoebe is 1005g (gained 45g) - 28wks (6.5m)- (pregnant, due approx 17th Nov)
Sheba is 945g (gain 35g) - 40wks (9.5m)
Tigerlily is 330g (gain 30g) - 5wks (1m)
Twizzle is 365g (gain 40g) - 5wks (1m)
Zinnia is 330g (gain 55g) - 5wks (1m)


***Re-homing/Foster Pigs***
Rafia is 505g (gained 55g) - 8wks (1.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 8th Dec)
Ripley is 650g (lost 15g) - 19wks (4.5m) - (possibly pregnant)


***New Mumma's***

Kobe is 790g (gain 20g) - 35wks (8m) (nursing)
Otis is 210g (gain 60g) - 3wks
Onyx is 200g (gain 50g) - 3wks
Olivia is 190g (gain 50g) - 3wks
Oscar is 200g (gain 55g) - 3wks

Ruby is 910g (gain 60g) - 32wks (7.5m) - (weaning)
Romeo is 290g (gain 65g) - 4wks


Alice is 735g (gain 35g) - 37wks (8.5m) - (weaning)
Cricket is 225g (gain 55g) - 4wks
Chloe is 200g (gain 50g) - 4wks

[Chloe, 4 week update pic]


The babies are slowly heading off to their new homes... Cleo left with her lovely new family on Saturday. Oscar will be going home with his family tomorrow, Olivia will be leaving on wednesday and Onyx and Cricket will be flying down to Sydney on Friday! I will admit that it can be a bit hard to say goodbye to the babies, but meeting such incredible people in the process of finding them wonderful new homes makes it totally worthwhile.

[Ginger]


[Bonnie]


We have some exciting pregnancy news as well. I was starting to get a little concerned that Liam was taking an extended holiday from his position as main stud here at the caviary, especially as we hadn't had a confirmed pregnancy sired by him since Ruby's! But he has come through after all, and I can confirm that both Ginger and Bonnie are approx 5 weeks pregnant, due somewhere around about the 2nd Dec 2011.


[Rafia and her mum Ripley]

On a slightly less positive note, it also appears that tiny little Rafia (the foster/rehoming baby that came in with her mum about a month ago) is pregnant to her father. If she is (swollen belly, enlarged nipples), then she'll be due approx 8th Dec, and this will only just make her 3 months old herself. I'm hoping for a nice small litter, 1-2 babies of an average size - or we may face some complications come delivery day.



[Galaxy and Eloide in a brief moment of calm this afternoon. Galaxy took a particular liking to Elodie actually, and the two of them spent a lot of time doing laps of the cage!]

Another interesting thing I thought I might mention today is that of 'odd' female guinea pig behaviour. I noticed a persistent 'horny dance' rumble coming from the ladies mansion this afternoon, and quickly spotted Galaxy chasing around her cage-mates. If I didn't know without a doubt that she was female, it would be easy to assume she was a male trying to mate. She made the same rumble noise, did the same wiggly-bottom strut, and had the same perseverance as any love-starved male!


[Custard - still 'Rumble-Struts' when on heat, and she's nearly 5yrs old!]

In my observations I've noticed that some females become very demonstrative when they come on heat - chasing their friends, and for all intensive purposes behaving like a male. Most girls will come on heat without you even noticing, but Galaxy is one of the special ones who lets you know. (Actually, out of all of my girls only she and Custard act out like this when on heat). Females will come on heat approximately every 16-17 days. So I'm curious to see if that will be the case for Galaxy again come mid november! I thought it was also worth mentioning if you have noticed similar behaviour amongst your group of girls - it may also be where the 'guinea pigs changing sex' wives tail might have originated from too!

An Update on Ripley

As I mentioned on Friday, it appears that Miss Ripley had a partial miscarriage sometime that morning. I explained at the time that I wasn't sure what had happened, as she still felt like she was in the early stages of pregnancy to me, even after finding her with blood on her bottom/mouth and a placenta in the hay. Logically, I would think that if she was to miscarry one baby, she would loose them all. But it seems as if this may not necessarily be the case for guinea pigs?

These are some photos of Ripley taken this afternoon. As you can see there is still a reasonable 'baby bump'. There are a few possibilities as to why she looks like this. Firstly - she is still pregnant, the baby/s are fine, and will be born when ready.
Secondly - she is still pregnant, but may miscarry any remaining babies.
Thirdly - she's not pregnant, and it's something nasty, like a growth of some kind.
Fourth - she's not pregnant, and is just unusually chubby for her size!?

She really has me baffled! She's still as cheeky and funny as ever, so what ever is going on doesn't seem to be bothering her... it just has me guessing!

Ruby

I know a lot of you are waiting with anticipation for Ruby to have her babies (I know I am!). So I thought I'd quickly let you know that we're STILL waiting! It feels like she's been pregnant forever! Probably didn't help that she dilated soooo long ago as well.

The babies are fine - lots of good, strong movement. Ruby is fine - eating like a horse and very cheeky! So it's just a matter of waiting now.... and waiting.

And waiting!

Impending birth

(Ruby and her massive belly, trying to get comfortable this afternoon)



Here's this weeks weigh in, for Sunday the 18th September 2011:

*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 880g (same) - 23wks (6m)
Ginger is 950g (gain 15g) - 26wks (6.5m)
Alba is 805g (lost 40g) - 29wks (7m)
(Alba has joined Liam's house this week. I thought that she was pregnant a few weeks ago, but nothing has eventuated of the slightly pudgy tummy. So considering her window of opportunity to have her first litter is quickly closing, she'll now stay with Liam for the next month or so. She may simply end up being one of those guinea pigs who just don't conceive for various reasons, and if so, that's perfectly fine. She can just have Nanny-Duty with Custard!)


*** Sprout's Pad ***
Sprout is 820g (gained 10g) - 23wks (5.5m)
Subi is 1185g (gained 45g) - 2.5yrs
(Kobe (who had been bunking down with Sprout until now) has started dilating. Which means she should deliver some time this week. I had been estimating her due date purely going by her size, so this has caught me by surprise. She's barely even showing, which for a pregnant short-haired mumma piggy is quite unusual. So she has moved out, and Subi has moved in!)


*** Malakai's Baby-Sitting Service***
Malakai is 385g (gained 75g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Mika is 330g (gained 35g) - 5wks (1m)


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alice is 965g (gained 45g) - 31wks (7.5m) (pregnant, due approx 1/10/11)
Beeno is 890g (lost 20g) - 29wks (7m)
Bonnie is 880g (gained 50g) - 16wks (4m)
Crumble is 920g (lost 15g) - 42wks (10m)
Custard is 975g (lost 25g) - 4.5yrs
Eloide is 370g (gained 30) - 7wks (1.5m)
Galaxy is 1235g (gained 105g) - 37wks (9m) (Heavily pregnant, due approx 23/9/11)
Kobe is 990g (gained 155g) - 29wks (7m) (Heavily Pregnant, due approx 23/9/11)
Millicent is 350g (gained 25g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Molly is 345g (gained 30g) - 5wks (1m)
Ruby is 1200g (gained 70g) - 26wks (6.5m) - (Heavily pregnant, revised due date now 23/9/11)
Sparrow is 905g (same) - 23wks (5.5m)
Yeti is 670g (gained 30g) - 16wks (4m)


Sheba is 740g (loss 25g) - 34wks (8.5m)(nursing)
Bear is 300g (gained 75g) - 3 weeks
Bodie is 280g (gained 70g) - 3 weeks
Ben is 280g (gained 70g) - 3 weeks




So again, a mixed week this week. BIG gains from Sheba's boys. But Sheba has dropped another 25g this week. I think the boys are certainly big enough to be weaned. And poor Sheba needs some time to recover. Hopefully she'll start regaining condition over the next few weeks.

We also now have three ladies ready to pop this week. Ruby's still partially dilated, Galaxy's pelvic bone is beginning to open, and Kobe looks like she's actually a lot further along than I thought as well. So it is quite possible that next weeks weigh in with include a number of gorgeous new additions!



I had a chance to go through the new bale of hay purchased yesterday too. Unfortunately it isn't the best quality I've ever worked with. I'd say it's probably about 50% weeds and prickles, exactly what I was dreading.



It's still quite soft/green though, so most of the prickles aren't hard enough to hurt (I was delving my hands right into the bale with no problems. But I do have my concerns about the guinea pigs eating these, or these prickles get tangled in their fur. So I will (again) spend ages trying to get most of the weeds out before I feed the hay to the pigs. [sigh]