Another question...sorry

[angeleyes80]

Once i get my babies, should i be able to hold them without them bitting me? At four weeks are they very mobile?

[skyeblu]

At four weeks old they will be very mobile.....and fast! My babies are 2.5 weeks right now and if one sounds the alarm they can disappear in a flash. Agewise, (4 wks) they aren't yet teenagers and (just like human kids) have boundless energy. After watching two litters grow from birth, I've found that as they get older they do mellow out a bit and aren't quite as "hyper" as the babies.

If your degus were gently handled during the first four weeks, then they will probably not object to being held by you. You will just need some patience and win their trust first. If you have the patience (and persistance), you can even train them to step into your hand on command which comes in handy for cleaning the cage or taking them to the vet.

If they really trust you they may even nibble your fingers a bit (little nips but no skin breaking) which is their way of trying to "groom" you.

I try to hand raise my babies from birth. I will sit with my hand in the cage with food in my hand. Mama degu will sit by (or on) my hand and eat and the babies will come investigate. If they see Mama has no fear then they tend to not be afraid. As the babies get used to my hand I will lift them up and slowly move them out of the cage. If the babies protest (with the loud distress call that babies have) I let them immediately back in the cage so they don't ever feel "trapped".

Personally, I've found that my degus are much too interested in exploring to be bothered with long periods of "cuddling". However, if they are out and about they always come back to "check in" periodically and if I am moving around will often follow me around the room. (I have to be very careful not to step on them!) If I am sitting, they will periodically climb into my lap and sit for a scratch behind the ear and then *poof* they're off exploring again.