Guinea Pigs Business Takes Off

Guinea Pigs Business Takes Off HOG EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Guinea pigs make great pets but they also produce a nice income sideline for Mose Jr and Barbie Zook Their 500-head operation got its start with 3 adults and 9 young pigs “We needed some added income when we got married ” explains Zook “A year later we had 150 head ” Zook feeds his guinea pigs barley sprouts over dry hay plus the barley water from his hand-built sprouting system “The coarse hay helps balance out the protein and moisture in the sprouts ” says Zook “When we switched to sprouts and sprout water we quit supplemental vitamins and minerals and saw a 15 percent increase in production ” Zook works with a broker who distributes his guinea pigs to pet stores Zook says a standard breeding pair sells for about $25 Specialty breeds can go as high as $150 for a pair “We raise different colors and breeds including tricolor with white stripes in front deep chocolate and various shades of tan black and gray ” says Zook “We have long-haired breeds as well as a breed called the Teddy with a rough coat that looks like it has a Teddy Boy hairstyle ” Zook says the long-haired breeds sell for $150 for a pair while the Teddys sell for $110 He is currently working with another breeder on a new long-haired line that he plans to market for around $175 per pair “The guinea pigs are kept in pens with about 9 females and 1 male per pen ” says Zook “We average about 9 babies per day ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Mose Jr and Barbie Zook 19 Sinclair Rd Delta Penn 17314 ph 717 862-3784

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