Guinea Pigs
Guinea Pigs are great small pets as they are good natured and easy to care for. They are the most popular small pet in many countries
South America (Peru) Guinea Pigs were kept by the Incas and were found in houses when the Spanish conquistadors conquered South America.
Our Guinea pigs you can handle in our Hutches and Aviaries corner. They have their food given twice a day, along with fresh vegetables such as carrots and broccoli. Also, the farm staff will go on the hunt for some fresh dandelion leaves for them to munch on.
The Guinea pig was first domesticated as early as 5000BC for food by tribes in South America. Even to this day they are still considered a source of food in some countries and cultures. It was the Spanish, Dutch and English that first introduced them into Europe as exotic pets among the upper class and royalty, including Queen Elizabeth 1.
Guinea pigs have a similar diet to that of rabbits, grass is their natural diet but pets are fed on soft pellets and hay. Dietary wise Guinea pigs are like humans are require Vitamin C in their diet or they will develop scurvy.
Guinea pigs shouldn’t be raised as a single they are a pack animal and are prone to loneliness so they like to have company, in Switzerland owning a single guinea pig is considered harmful to its well-being and forbidden by law.