hibonUoi'v aniiiials are used. After de(eiinliriii<»; 

 that there is a dcjiiaiKl, you can select bi-eedin^' 

 airiinals and ])lan theii' h()ushi<>- and feeding-. 



Do not CI' peel to iiudxe htrc/e pi-ofifs invniedidfeJy 

 by I'iushuj hdjontfory ((iilnuds. Most successful pro- 

 ducers liave succeeded only aftei" years of patience 

 and experience. 



HOUSING 



Guinea pig pens may be kept outside in a mild 

 climate. In most areas, they need to be in a heated 

 building, (hiinea pigs do not thrive at temperatures 

 below 65° F. 



The pens need not be elaborate because guinea 

 pigs usually do not climb, jump, or gnaw on wood. 

 Howevei", most pens do have some sort of screen 

 wire or hardware cloth across the top. The sides 

 may also be made of screen. 



Provide a shelf about 4 inches off the floor in a 

 dark corner of the cage. Females and their litters 

 will seek shelter under the shelf. Guinea pigs like 

 to sleep on a shelf. 



Cover the pen floors with wood shavings or straw to 

 absorb moisture. Clean the pen floors at least once 

 a week. 



A pen 30 by 36 inches and 12 to 15 inches high is 

 large enough for a male and 5 or 6 breeding females. 

 A larger pen, 5 by 10 feet, can accommodate 30 to 50 

 guinea pigs. 



FEEDING 



A ration for guinea pigs should contain grain and 

 leafy alfalfa hay or fresh greens. The grain part of 



Short-haired guinea pig. 



