first pet

[Chilli]

I think a guinea pig would be fine, I hear they're good tempered, though I've never owned one of my own. My friend's sister has two guinea pigs for her 7 year old and 9 year old, and they haven't had any problems.
And like everyone else said, avoid hamsters with young children. Especially dwarfs! I love my Marley dearly, but he is extremely cage aggressive, and he bites hard enough to break skin. Plus he never settles down in your hands, extremely hard to watch tv with!
On birds, I think you should only get a very tame, hand-raised bird, and stick with a parakeet (budgie) or cockatiel.
I mostly reccomend a rat, though, being a rat owner myself!! They're really loving, and very intelligent. I reccoment a male, since they tend to be a bit more laid back. The only drawback is that many, many people think they're gross...
Good luck to your brother! First pets are always the best! (in my opinion! But then again, my first pet was my dog. )

[dab_20]

Well, be aware that guinea pigs can bite too.. and HARD!!! My old guinea pig bit me soo hard right through the skin.

[chrissycat21]

Guinea pigs are normally very gentle and sweet. They will [almost] never bite for no reason. If you are really thinking about getting him a guinea pig, you might want to check out these sites.

-http://www.cavyspirit.com/
-http://www.cavycages.com/ (it shows you how to make your own cage and has a message board, too)
-http://www.guinealynx.info/ (This one is probably my favorite, so much info! Taffy had so many health problems that I checked out that site a lot and their message board is great, too)

[Jessika]

Well, be aware that guinea pigs can bite too.. and HARD!!! My old guinea pig bit me soo hard right through the skin.

Well all animals can bite. But Guinea Pigs are much much MUCH less prone to biting than a Hamster for instance. We used to own three and the only time either me or my sister's were bit was when my youngest sister got watermelon juice on her shirt and he bit it thinking it was food and bit through her shirt and got her belly. But that was IT lol

[Suki Wingy]

Just wanted to add, my first pet other than a fish tank was Tigger the Schnieder's skink. She's in my sig. I got her when I was 5 but my parents knew what they were doing with her.She's more of a pet for looking at, not handling though.

[jackie]

How about a bird? I nice budgie is always fun.

When did you get rid of the chicks? I thought you just got them last week.