Data sheet rosettes guinea pigs
Latin name:
Cavia porcellus
Origin:
England
Size:
20 to 25 cm
age expectation:
6 to 8 years
behavior/stocking
Groups vs. individual housing:
group husbandry
Lining:
Herbivore, hay, forage (dandelion, grass, daisy, ground elder, plantain, buckhorn), vegetables (endive, carrots, cucumber, peppers, courgettes, beetroot), fruit (apples, pears)
Difficulty level:
simply
Oceancetaceae Alice Chodura, Cavia porcellus001, CC BY-SA 3.0
General introduction
Their ancestors came to Europe from South America in the 16th century. Rosette guinea pigs are one of the oldest breeds. Around 1880, the first animals with whorls (rosettes) in their fur appeared in England. They quickly found enthusiastic followers who began to breed the new breed systematically.
Rosette guinea pigs are only known in Germany. Outside of Germany they will Abyssinian called. Nobody knows how they got this name.
Look
Come at race all recognized colors and drawings before. The piglets have a broad, muscular, relatively short body. A broad shoulder is also valued.
The head should be compact, with a rounded muzzle and a slightly curved nasal bridge. The ears have a slight wave and are close-fitting. Large, round eyes give the face an alert, intelligent expression.
It is about a short haired breed. your fur will up to 3.5 cm long. It is dense and fine and feels rough and harsh. This fur forms the typical rosettes that gave the breed its name.
Become in the breed standard at least 8 rosettes required per animal. A few meeries manage 10 or even 12 rosettes. These animals are particularly popular with exhibitors and breeders and are correspondingly valuable.
The rosettes, which “only” have 6 vertebrae, are often sold cheaply. They are not suitable for further breeding. That’s not to say they aren’t just as lovable and affectionate to the hobby owner. They just don’t exactly meet the breed requirements.
Of the 8 rosettes, 4 are on the body, 2 on the hindquarters and 2 on the hips. In exceptional cases there are 2 small vertebrae above the nose.
Not all rosettes are the same. You shall one form a clear centre, be circular and clearly demarcated.
On top of that they are on the body symmetrically distributed are. Two adjacent rosettes form a so-called comb. The hairs push each other up. For single copies can a whiskers appear.
If a pig doesn’t have the required 4 vertebrae, but only 2 vertebrae, it will Ridgeback called. The name comes from English, ridge means comb and back back. Their hair does not stick out to the side, but is pushed up and forms a single crest on the back.
acquisition and maintenance
The cute little animals with trendy hairstyles are robust and easy to care for with the short fur.
She adapt the time for their main activities to the living conditions of their people. They quickly learn to be awake and active when their owners have time for them.
The rodents multiply quickly. If a population explosion in the enclosure is to be avoided, either only females or females with one or two castrated males should be purchased.
cage and equipment
Every rosette needs at least 0.5 m² floor space in the cage. The enclosure can be built on several levels. The animals like to climb. Stairs, staircases or branches offer them opportunities to reach the different floors. To provide variety external tubesthrough which the piglets can run.
There must be at least one hiding place for each animal. These can be standard huts or caves. The fur balls are happy to accept cork tubes, cuddly rolls, fabric tunnels or igloos. Skilled guinea pig owners can use a little skill to tinker with appropriate equipment from twigs, roots or small boards. Opportunities for climbing and exploring can be created from the same material.
These toys should be changed from time to time. In autumn, a handful of dry leaves are enough to keep the rodents busy for hours. Allowed in the cage hammocks definitely not missing. The animals like to lie in them and doze.
Branches of willow, poplar, birch, beech, fruit tree or hazelnut bush should be in the enclosure at all times. The rosettes can grind off their constantly growing teeth by gnawing on it.
A hay rack, a feeding bowl and a bowl for water complete the set-up. Is it a larger group of animals, there should be several feeding places. Otherwise it can happen that the lower-ranking rosettes are bitten off and do not get enough food.
If the cage is not on the ground, a non-slip board should be used as a step. Then the animals do not have to be picked up when they are allowed to run free.
requirement for posture
Species-appropriate attitude
Little rosettes don’t want to be alone. As group animals, they need contact with other guinea pigs. They can be guinea pigs of other breeds, it is important that they are guinea pigs.
Rabbits are not a substitute for their own kind. Although they have similar requirements when it comes to housing and care, they do not speak the same language.
Meeries communicate a lot with each other. They converse with sounds and body language. That doesn’t work with rabbits. The owner, no matter how busy he is with his rosette, is just as unsuitable.
If there are several males in the group, they should be neutered. Otherwise, biting often occurs among them. This puts stress on the whole group. Part of the species-appropriate attitude daily, extensive free time in the apartment.
Your enclosure must be positioned so that it is not exposed to the sun. Directly next to the warm heating is also to be avoided. It quickly gets too warm for the rodents here.
free range
As a short-haired breed, the animals can be kept outside all year round. You should have access to sheltered, dry shelters have. For the Shady areas are important in summer.
The group has to go at least 3, better 4 or 5 individuals consist. In winter, they keep each other warm by snuggling together. The The enclosure including the run must be securedto keep predators (cats, foxes, martens, birds of prey) away.
Care
The cage must cleaned weekly become. The bedding is completely replaced. The droppings should be cleaned daily.
Her Rosettes groom their fur themselves, combing or brushing is not necessary. In exceptional cases, litter gets caught in the rosettes, which the animals cannot get out. In this case, the carer has to help with a small brush.
Breeding & Rearing
The Breeding of Rosette Guinea Pigs High demands. Many components must be considered so that the offspring shows the extraordinary head of hair in as many tresses as possible.
The Females should be 6 to 12 months old, when it is first mated. A male becomes sexually mature at 4 to 6 weeks. A female is in heat after 14 to 18 days. After successful mating after about 68 days the young are born.
The throws consist of 1 to 7 boysthey weigh at birth about 60 to 120g. As precocial their eyes are open and they can walk right away. She are born with a full coatit’s just not as long as in adults.
The little ones will suckled for 3 weeks. They start nibbling on vegetables and fruit just a few hours after birth.
gender differences
The Bucks are bigger than the females. In them, the caudal gland and the perineal pocket are more pronounced than in females.
feed and nutrition
Hay and water should always be available to the rosettes. For this they get Forage, fruits and vegetables.
acclimatization and handling
The lively, affectionate animals are for guinea pigs very confident. they show little restraint. Shortly after they have moved in, they explore their enclosure. They quickly get used to their carer. Small treats speed up this adjustment phase.
Rosettes can vigorously assert their opinions. Sometimes they tend to a, albeit loving, little stubborn.
They are curious and always open to an exuberant game. During their daily free run, they want to explore their surroundings with their humans. A cardboard box that has been left lying around, an empty plastic bottle, possibly filled with (guinea pig) treats provide fun and excitement.
The rodents quickly learn little tricks. After a few pieces of apple, they come out of their hiding place when called or go back to their enclosure on their own.
The little guys don’t want to be petted. Due to the many whorls, it is impossible to stroke in the direction of the fur. Stroking against the fur direction is unpleasant for the animals. They don’t like being handled either, they are no stuffed animals.
It makes a lot of fun to watch them in their social activities. If they are doing well, they show it with funny jumps. They jump into the air on all fours and sometimes kick out with their hind legs.