Sexing / Breeding Guinea Pigs
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Overview / Introductory video
After watching this video, scroll down to access more detailed information about how to breed Guinea Pigs.
Breeding overviewBreeding Guinea Pigs can be very rewarding, as you bring another Guinea Pig into the world for you to care for, and this time you get to see it grow up through every single stage of is life.
Guinea Pigs, however, are easy to mate yet not easy to rear. It is a risky business, and there are plenty of pregnancy complications that can be caused due to the way that Guinea Pigs are born large and ready to run (there is a 20% chance that your Sow will die when giving birth). This could damage your Sow. This guide will guide you through the process of breeding Guineas, but be ware that it may not turn out as you expect. During this guide, we will be referring to female Guinea Pigs as Sows, and male Guineas as Boars. Make sure that your Boars are about 3-4 months old before you start the process |
Mating your Guinea PigsA Sows oestrus cycle (how long a female Guinea Pig is in heat for) is about 16 days, and she will only be interested in mating for about 8 hours during this time.
You can tell when this time will come around, and here are some of the telltale signs she is in season:
You can never be too sure when this will come around, so the best way you can mate two (or more - a male can mate with 10 Guineas at a time) Guinea Pigs together is to leave the Sows and Boar together until you know the sows is/are pregnant. |
The big day! Guinea Pig birth video
After reading the above and mating your Guinea Pigs, watch a birth video to get a taster of what it will be like. You can touch the babies as Guinea Pig mothers aren't as protective as their newborn as other animals are, however, remember that they are fragile and vulnerable.
Sows will give birth to a litter of 3-4 Guinea Pigs at a time. If you don't have the space for all these, sell them or give them away. Otherwise, if you don't think you will be able to accommodate all these babies, and don't think you will be able to sell them, don't take part in breeding as there are hundreds of rescue Guinea Pigs in orphanages and need rehoming.
When your Guinea Pig is giving birth, leave her be and stay away, as your presence can make the situation more stressful, even if you and your Guinea Pig are really close.
When your Guinea Pig is giving birth, leave her be and stay away, as your presence can make the situation more stressful, even if you and your Guinea Pig are really close.
Looking after baby Guinea Pigs
Selling / Breeding for a profit
Now you understand the basics of breeding, if you want to continue this hobby and sell the Guinea Pigs you breed for some spare money, check out our listings and other marketplaces where you can advertise your Guinea Pigs for sale.