Furik
Warbling Degu
Degu!
Posts: 26
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Post by Furik on Dec 18, 2006 11:29:26 GMT
I heard crying this morning and I didn't think it was normal crying so I went and checked the cage and I looked over and saw babies!!! So far there's 4 and I have NO clue what to do!! Please help!
I wasn't expecting any babies because she didn't look pregnant so came as a huge shock.
I'm assuming, now, the mother will do most of the work and what she can to take care of them. I just want to know what I should do to help.
Thank you.
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Furik
Warbling Degu
Degu!
Posts: 26
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Post by Furik on Dec 18, 2006 11:51:06 GMT
It's very odd because I didn't know it was female at first. Anyway, i've read upon some info and it seems like the mother degu will have most control over this situation and take care of the babies. I've left her alone upstairs in her cage for privacy for a couple hours. I'm assuming I won't need anything more for her as she will feed the babies. I'm just wondering about nesting, is there anything more I will need to do nesting wise to make the babies (and her) more comfortable? And how old do baby degus have to be to hold them (and/or consider giving away)? I've read once they are at least 2 months old that they should leave the nest.
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Furik
Warbling Degu
Degu!
Posts: 26
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Post by Furik on Dec 18, 2006 11:51:55 GMT
And just in case of a death in the litter, what should I do if it comes to one?
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Dec 18, 2006 14:29:30 GMT
firstly, make sure the cage is safe from escapes. If the bars are too wide apart at the bottom, add some mesh to reduce the gap size.
Make sure the mother has food and water nearby and easy to reach. In the wild the mother would dispose of any bodies should the need arrise, so I wouldnt worry about that too much, just give her love and care to help her in raising the unexpected babies! enjoy having them!
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Post by Aimeelou on Dec 18, 2006 16:10:03 GMT
Woohoo! Christmas babies!  try not to panic Furik, me and Ra and alot of us have had this suprise too, so dont worry we have been there to! As Meg says sort out your cage and be sure to read the Basics of Babies onfo page. And dont forget to keep us posted on updates!! |
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Post by ra on Dec 18, 2006 19:58:38 GMT
Everything will be fine. As Meg said make sure the mother has food and water close by. I had to wrap our cage in mesh because the babies fit easily through one inch gaps. Mocha delivered 9 babies. I'd only seen 8. At the end of the first week I moved the nest box and found the body of the 9th. Apparently she had buried it under the nest box. I thought I had a male so I too was very surprised at the birth of the babies. I hadn't done anything special obviously. I did tear up some paper napkins that Mocha then took into the box and nested with the babies.
Good luck and Merry Christmas!
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Post by Aimeelou on Jan 2, 2007 13:24:21 GMT
Hows mother and babys doing Furik?  |
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Furik
Warbling Degu
Degu!
Posts: 26
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Post by Furik on Feb 9, 2007 16:24:35 GMT
Just an update:
One of them passed a way earlier in December. So there's a total of 3 pups.
This coming Monday, they'll be 8 wks old.
As of today, I moved all 3 pups in their own cage and placed it right next to the mothers cage just so they can see her.
Is it too early, you think, to move them in?
I noticed she has become quite irritated by them, probably due to the crowdedness of all 4 of them in the cage.
But yeah, they are all doing fine health wise. One of them had a cold a while ago, but it passed. He's doing fine.
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Post by ra on Feb 12, 2007 15:52:32 GMT
Furik have you sexed the babies yet? I would keep the females in with the mother and separate out the males at this time.
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Post by Aimeelou on Feb 12, 2007 16:08:38 GMT
yeah, if their 8weeks old now aswell
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