HELP NEEDED ASAP

[paulakim]

HI all, well the female degu i adopted a few weeks a go has given birth over the last day or 2, my main concern is that she has used a nest box that is on a high shelf to have her babies and from what i've read so far babies will come out of the nest over the first few days so need to know if i can move the nest box to a lower level now as i don,t want any to fall off? also when would i be able to look inside nest and see how many there are with out stressing them or mum? any extra advice also welcome thanks

[saddlers]

Congratulations on your new additions!!

I understand that degus are not too protective of their young so even after a few days if the parents seem comfortable when you get close and don't stress out then some minimal handling should be fine. The following was given as advice to someone else a few days ago "If she moves away but doesn't scold you or squeak from a distance, you should be fine to pick them up. The sooner you start to handle them and get them used to human touch, the more friendly and welcoming they should become. If, when you are holding the pups, they start to cry a lot, you shouldn't keep them apart from their mom for too much longer. Also, be aware that during the first 3 weeks of life, pups have difficulty regulating their body temperature, so if you find one out of the nest and feeling chilly, don't hesitate to scoop it up and put it back with mom"

As for the nest box issue, I am not sure but I know one of the others will be along soon to offer further advice.

[Kins]

I think I would be tempted to move the nest box down, just to make it safe. Don't hold me to that though...

Congrats on the new arrivals, hope we get to see some pictures soon please

[moletteuk]

I would move the nest box, unless it totally freaks out mum. Otherwise, might you be able to shore up the edge of the shelf with something?

Was she pregnant when she came to you?

[dyzired]

How big of a drop is it from where they're at? If its a big drop I wouldn't risk them falling and I'd move it. Good luck!

[paulakim]

thanks for replies, i have now moved the box down a level and has a quick count there is either 7 or 8 there very active and were all nice warm and healthy looking so that good yes mum must have already been pregnant when i got her as i've ON had her a couple of months along with her daughter, and from what i have now read and the time thing i,m thinking she must have got pregnant straight away poor girl so can anyone advise anything i can add to her diet to help her along thanks

[moletteuk]

Oil seeds are great for calories and nutrition, also maybe some low sugar veg and as always as much plant matter as you can get your hands on. See this chart for oil seeds deguworld.proboards.com/thread/15602/vegetable-grain-seed-nutrition-charts and also the feeding guide for further info and links.