Rough-haired guinea pig. 



the ration may be ground oats and wheat bran, or a 

 ready-prepared ration recommended for rabbits may 

 be used. If a prepared ration is used, it slioukl con- 

 sist of a mixture of grains and minerals compressed 

 into pellets. 



Commercially prepared laboratory chows or dry 

 pellets made especially for guinea pigs are available 

 usually in pet or feed stores. These feeds include 

 complete pellets requiring no addition of A'itamin C, 

 but potency of this vitamin can be guaranteed for 

 only short periods. 



Fresh hay or greens are necessary in the guinea 

 pig's ration because they supply the animal with vita- 

 min C. Guinea pigs cannot produce their own 

 vitamin C ; without it they develop scurvy. The 

 greens may be green cabbage, lettuce, kale, lawn clip- 

 pings, green alfalfa, or similar plants. 



Fresh water should be supplied daily. Or, you 

 can omit water when a plentiful supply of fresh suc- 

 culent greens can be provided. 



Food cups and water bottles should be suspended 

 from cage walls above bedding to prevent contami- 

 nation by urine and feces. 



MANAGEMENT 

 Breeding 



Guinea pigs have young several times a year and 

 it is not difficult to build up a sizable herd within 

 a year or two. 



Males become sexually mature Avhen they are about 

 60 days old. When thev are 40 to 50 days old, tlie 



