Got my four 8-week old female goos today!! ^_^

[daydreamer3008]

Hi Everyone, just thought I would explain my (very hectic) day

So, I got up early, got a travel cage ready, and broke it... My only other option was to have a VERY strong cardboard box, because all the pet shops were shut. Which, I thought, if I put enough toys in, they would be fine in... (If only I'd realised how good escape artists they are!!)

After an hour long journey, I arrived at the Breeders house, and was shown my 4 goos, they are all so lovely, and he has done an amazing job of taming them, he let me hold each one of them, and I am actually quite amazed at how tame they are!! None of them were affraid of me at all, and most of them snuggled onto me, except one, who decided to run over my shoulder!! One of them is much darker than the others and is quite fat, and the others all have quirky features that I can already identify them by... Haha

But anyway, I put them in their box, and got back into the car, they all looked a bit scared, but that's normal, I would have been the same. Then (whilst driving), one of the goos managed to get out of a tiny gap in the side, she ended up going under the seats, but we caught her after about 1 minute Then they all started eating the box... I began to realise how it wasn't the best idea (even though I had no other option) ... They kept trying
to escape...

So I stopped at a P@H, and bought them another carrier, which I put them in, and they all snugged up asleep and were fine, typical eh?

So, I took them home, sorted out final adjustments on the cage (Which is a DIY one), and put them in it, took them a while to work out how to go up and down levels, but they worked it out eventually They all have favourite areas of the cage, it's really adorable ^_^

They aren't eating much, but I'd imagine they just need to settle in. I made a batch of dried veg today, so I can give them some of that tomorrow (well, today, it's gone midnight) Haha

Ummm, so yeahh - I think that's about it. But I have a couple of questions.
1) At the moment, they keep making little squeaking noises (one of them in particular is nosier than the others). Is this normal? What are they doing? If anybody could briefly summarise different "calls" that would be great.
2) Do I need to take the wheel out at night? One if them is on it as I write, and has been for about an hour!! It's not because its noisy (I can sleep through anything), it's just that some people say its a good idea, because otherwise they might become nocturnal, because its cooler to exercise at night.
3) Is there anything I should do in the first couple of days, to make sure they're okay? Or will they be okay, and I just need to stop worrying? Haha

Its so lovely that they're all so tame, I thought they would be nervous of me at first. But they are constantly looking for attention!!

Sorry for writing an Essay on this, I didn't mean to, I just got a bit carried away

P.S. I'll try to take some pictures of the girls soon, when they're all together, and not exploring on completely different levels

[dusty]

Congrats on finally getting them home. They were due to be 4 Blue yeah? You obviously had a classic case of "cargoo" ;D

I found a link somewhere to the noises they make - I imagine if its a kind of high pitch proper squeak it's either cos they are a bit scared or mine do it when calling to eachother (as in a "come here you lot, I need a cuddle"). They are probably just finding their way around and checking out all the hiding places, telling eachother where is best to hang out

I don't think they become nocturnal as such, ours go to bed when we turn the lights off, we leave the wheel in permanently and they just seem to know when quiet time is. (they still run a bit but slowly ;D )

I think the only things to do in the early days is to make sure they have sussed out where the food and water is (ours found that out in about 5mins). Make sure the water is free flowing (bubbles when they drink is a good sign - if you're using a bottle)

Otherwise I suppose just leave them to it, they will take some time to settle in, as long as you speak to them gently and let them know you give the food, treats etc.. they will soon get used to it.

Yeah, stop worrying. Our first few weeks were spent staring at them, are they eating enough, is the water ok, what if they try to escape, should they have these treats!!!!! It goes on forever. They seem to be quite adaptable to situations, ours have been tame from the start with so far (touch wood) no probs.

Enjoy getting to know them, they all have their own personalities which is fun to watch develope. Just chill and let them settle in, they will tell you when its time for the next step..

ps - watch out for the weird dreams etc..

[daydreamer3008]

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it
And I think I might take the wheel out for tomorrow night, because 3 of them are on it now, and I think they really do need to sleep

And yes, 4 blues They are adorable :')
Their names are: Lemon, Lime, Tarragon and Nutmeg. Tarragon has a small part of the top of her nose from when she was younger, and one of her littermates bit her. But the breeder said that it's fully healed now and there's no need to worry about it. He put cream on it when it was healing, so all that's left now is a small patch of fur that needs to grow back.
Lemon is the fattest. Apparently she was "mummy's favourite" and always got fed slightly more than the others ...
Lime is the fastest, and the most enegetic. She was the one that escaped twice in the car, and also jumped off me, and went under my bed when we got them out for "play time". She obviously likes to explore, and is very intelligent.
And nutmeg has little white patches behind her ears and has little white bands of fur on her nose and her tummy.

They are so adorable, but extremely noisy!! Haha I'm not sure putting them in my room was the best idea

[Lrak]

Yay glad it all went well for you ;D apart from getting out of the box

Looks like Dusty has given you some good advice

[moletteuk]

LOL! Sounds like you passed the initiation test with the box, so try and just relax and enjoy them, you only get the excitement of the first few days once!
I love the names and descriptions, you are doing well sussing them out so fast and being able to identify them so quickly
I'm glad the breeder seemed to turn out OK, it's a good sign that they are all well socialised and confident with you.
Youngsters usually have less settled patterns of being awake and asleep, it's not really a problem, it's up to you about the wheel.
As to sounds, I've been thinking we should start some sort of sound collection project, but anyway, warbling/ chattering is conversation, short sharp single squeak like a dog toy is Ow!, short sometimes irregular squeak is a warning of danger, whining amongst warbling is some sort of discussion??, little whining noises are stop bothering me, little squeaks amongst grooming are ow that was too hard. Sometimes it's a mystery, just keep watching and listening and wondering

Congratulations! Have fun! ;D

[dusty]

www.degutopia.co.uk/degusound.htm

This might help a bit with the noises

[Lrak]

Oct 15, 2012 10:31:58 GMT dusty said:

www.degutopia.co.uk/degusound.htm

This might help a bit with the noises

I was trying to remember where i had seen that ;D

[daydreamer3008]

Thanks for your advice everyone
They've been settling in today, and are now experts with their cage. Yesterday, they struggled to remember where things were, but today they've been jumping around all over the place
They've been drinking and eating today, which is good, because I know they aren't confused, and I was getting a bit worried about them not eating/drinking.
All the noises they were making are just them chatting, and grooming, n'awwww, bless :')
I think I'm definitely going to take the wheel out tonight, because they need to sleep, haha

Thank you to everyone who answered my questions, they've made me calm down a lot now
I'll keep you all updated, and try to take some pictures soon.

[dusty]

pics are essential ;D

[daydreamer3008]

Haha, they still need to settle down a bit, they are far to hyper at the moment to take photos
Everytime I get them out, they run all over me, and I end up having to put them back in, or they'll get lost in my room! (It's degu-proof, don't worry)
But I will ASAP ... Maybe tomorrow
Can't wait for you all to see them, they are so adorable :')

[Lrak]

Oct 15, 2012 17:32:37 GMT dusty said:

pics are essential ;D

Yes they are ;D and we can't wait