[Gpdd] Misc. Re: Pellets

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Hi Jaime,

I wouldn'y worry about the pellets. As long as Ginger is getting plenty 
of good quality hay and a good supply of vegetables she will be fine. 
Lettuces have very little protein or calorific value even though guinea 
pigs adore them. Just keep putting the pellets in.

You don't know what she was fed before she was lucky enough to find 
you. Bad eating habits in guinea pigs ( just like us) are hard to 
break. So give yourself and Ginger time.

Pregnant, nursing or weaning sows need protein, vitamins and minerals 
and yes,.........even the dreaded calcium. I know we all worry about 
kidney/bladder stones/sludge etc but with rescue pigs like Ginger I 
would give carrots, green leaves, corn-on- cob, apple, celery etc. In 
fact anything that would stimulate her appetite.

We also give dried grass (which we buy from petstores) in unlimited 
quantities as well as fresh grass, weeds, and hay. I don't know if you 
have access to an area where you can pick fresh  grass or edible weeds.

Lots of breeders in the UK supplement sows diets with fresh bread and 
milk mixes while they are pregnant, nursing or after weaning. I have 
never used this, maybe some other Uk digesters have.  Always remove the 
dish after the sow has finished because milk can sour very quickly.

Whenever underweight sows came in to us we gave them bran mashes. We 
also used "Complan" which is a dietry supplement drink for ill or 
elderly people.

Sows that are a healthy weight when they are pregnant always lose some 
condition once they have finished weaning. Poor Ginger was underweight 
when you took her in. It is only natural that she will take time to put 
on weight. Just keep doing what you are doing.  She will improve with 
time, you'll see, especially with you looking after her.

When she goes to her new home don't forget to give the new owners a 
list of all the things you discovered she liked. That way there won't 
be a break in her feeding routine.

Best Wishes,

Antoinette and the Magic 60.


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