39265—-B 
The English or short-haired guinea pig. 
laboratory animals usually sell to 
hospitals, laboratories, or dealers, 
Before investing in guinea pigs, 
find out if you can sell laboratory 
animals in your area. Determine 
whether guinea pigs are needed or 
whether other laboratory animals 
are used. If there is a demand, you 
can select breeding animals and 
plan their housing and feeding. 
Do not expect to make large 
profits immediately by raising lab- 
oratory animals. Most successful 
producers have succeeded only after 
years of patience and experience. 
HOUSING 
Guinea pigs may not be housed 
with any other species of animal. 
They should be housed indoors, and 
the temperature must be kept be- 
tween 60° and 85° F. Ventilation to 
minimize drafts, odors, and damp- 
ness may be supplied through win- 
dows, doors, or air conditioners. 
Lighting should be adequate to per- 
mit routine inspection and cleaning. 
In mild climates, guinea pigs may 
be placed in pens outdoors, pro- 
vided some shade is available to 
them. If you raise guinea pigs com- 
mercially, before housing them out- 
doors you must first obtain the 
approval of the Director of the 
Animal Health Division, Agricul- 
tural Research Service. 
Because guinea pigs usually do 
not climb, jump, or gnaw on wood, 
the pens need not be elaborate. Most 
pens have screen wire or hardware 
cloth across the top, as well as 
across the sides. 
A pen 30 by 36 inches and 12 to 
15 inches high is large enough for 
one male and five breeding females. 
A larger pen, 5 by 10 feet and 1 to 
114 feet high, can accommodate 30 
to 40 guinea pigs. 
Provide a shelf about 4 inches 
above the floor in a shaded corner of 
the pen. Guinea pigs like to sleep on 
a shelf; females and their litters 
will seek shelter under it. 
Cover the pen floors with wood 
shavings, shredded paper, straw, or 
similar material to absorb moisture. 
