My degu had babies...

[angeleyes80]

Well i knew she was expecting, and i knew that she was in labor. But i never expected to go for a few hours and come back home with 5 little babies in the cage. Plus when i was looking at her, she delivered another one...wow...what a sight that was. Momma is doing well, she's cleaning the cage and taking care of the little ones. They are so cute, such pink little bellies. They all look like they're in good shape, so far so good. So now my question is...do i leave the cage alone, like not clean it or can i clean it out? There's not to much blood and she's cleaning up her afterbirth. And in how long can i handle the babies?? A few days? A few weeks? Any info would be great, it's my first degu litter and i'm quite excited.

[laurieb]

CONGRATULATIONS! We're getting close, too. So glad their doing well.
You may get all different advice about cleaning and handling. It seems in all my research about the subject, everyone has their own ways.
The majority of people suggest not handling babies for a couple weeks. I know I'll be putting my hands in the cage so they will get used to me before that. It will be hard not picking them up.
As for cleaning, most say you can "spot clean" the soiled areas, but don't touch the nest.
I hope this helps until someone with experience answers. My research is very thorough, but I love to learn more.
I'll be watching your other responses because I'll be in your shoes REALLY soon.

Luck to you! Laurie

[ra]

From my reading Laurieb is correct. It is recommended you just leave them be for a couple of weeks. Spot clean the cage if needed but let the mom take care of the rest. If you supply her with clean bedding she will add to her nest box what she needs. I tore up paper towels and left them for Mocha.

Since I knew NOTHING about babies when Mocha had her litter, (She was supposed to be a male!) I was fortunate things turned out as well as they did. I handled her quite a lot up until the day she gave birth - NOT recommended at all! Her babies were out and about almost immediately. I'd read they usually didn't leave the nest box for a couple of days and to watch because they could not thermoregulate body heat until about 10days! I panicked thinking they would get hypothermia out and about. I kept gathering them up and putting them back into the nest box. Mocha seemed rather shocked by the whole ordeal. She was awfully young supposedly only 4mo old but I wonder..... She was very tired. I was careful to keep water and food right outside of her nest box so she only had to poke her head out to eat or drink. She didn't seem to worry about the babies leaving the nest. I'd read she would gather them up herself but she never did so I did it for her. She was very good about staying with them and letting them nurse but with 8 they were often all over the place!!

I can't see how it would be a problem to introduce the babies to human contact however. I used to love to just sit with my upturned hand resting in the cage and wait. The babies would climb all over me then when the mood for a nap would strike they would form a Degu Pile-up right in my hand. The Degu mom's are used to us so I don't believe there is any worry about them rejecting the babies because of human contact. I think it is recommended we don't handle them just because they are so small and active - would be easy to drop or inadvertently hurt one if you aren't careful.

Enjoy your babies. They are a lot of fun. Busy, busy, BUSY!!!!

[angeleyes80]

Thanks for the replies...they all have their eyes open now and they won't leave moms side. They seem to be constantely nursing. Mom is really good, she comes out to greet me when i go into the kitchen where there cage is and as soon as i leave, back into the nest she goes. I've been petting mom and she's eager to get out of her cage, but i won't let her. I will keep you all updated on their progress.