On Sat, 01 Jan 2005 23:16:18 GMT, "Claire Petersky"
wrote:

Since we got our guinea pigs a couple of weeks ago, I've been feeding them
most of their greens from what I have in the winter vegetable garden:
collard greens, chard, and parsley. I also some sugar pea volunteers (that
came up from the peas I planted this spring), and since there's not enough
of them to really have peas for the winter, I've been pulling up the vines
and feeding them to the pigs too.

Just this limited experience so far makes me think that it would make a lot
of sense to plant things this spring that the guinea pigs would enjoy. I'm
thinking carrots -- do the pigs eat the tops as well as the root? Beets
maybe? I like beets and beet greens, but we could share these with the pigs.
Lettuce maybe for sure, but I have to be vigilent to prevent the slugs from
getting to it first. Radish tops? Spinach always seems to bolt on me, but
maybe the guinea pigs wouldn't mind bolted spinach. Other ideas for the
garden?

I live in the Sunset Zone 5 (not sure what that is in the USDA system) in
the Pacific Northwest, which is similar in climate to the UK.

Before doing this I would suggest that you discuss the nutritional
needs of Guinea Pigs with your small animal vet. As I recall from
working in a pet shop, Cavys have very distinct nutritional needs.
After all, they originates in the Andes mountains of South America.
It is doubtful that beets, carrots and peas are something that they
would have encountered in the wild. Feeding them such things,
although they may love it, might do more harm than good.

EM
-----
When in trouble or in doubt,
Run in circles, scream and shout.