Should I put dad back in with mum?

[philbailey1806]

I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself here but here goes.

To cut a long story short I got 2 "female" goos from pets at home and didn't realise I had a boy and a girl untill the girl was showing signs of pregnancy.

So I separated dad (Ernie) from mum (Edna) a few days before she gave birth, because obviously I don't want any more babies, these were all unplanned.

She had 8! Anyway, its been 5 days now since she's had them and it says on the degutopia website that after 5 days dad can go back in with mum and pups to help, and she needs help! lol.

Also, I only got them as a pair, so at the moment poor Ern's all by himself, and Edna only has 8 screaming babies for company! Ern's looking really really miserable being separated from everyone.

So I was just wondering if anyone had any experiences where they re-introduced the adult male after the 5 day post partum oestrus period, but before the 4-6 week weaning period, and ended up with the mum being pregnant again?

I'd really like to put him back in with mother and children if at all possible, he's getting very upset and frustrated by himself and has near obliterated a brand new nest box! (I'm presuming out of angst), but if anyone has ended up with a pregnant goo after waiting 5 days to re-introduce and removing him and the boys after weaning then I just can't risk it.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[kovu07]

I haven't had any experience with pregnancy and degus but it really sounds like it would do them both the world of good to be put back together, and I would certainly do this if I was in the same situation. As Ernie will then have company, and Edna will have the help she needs. However I am prepare to be told by someone with more knowledge that this is an awful idea, and they should stay seperated.

[philbailey1806]

I'm thinking along the same lines, Ernie's really upset, I can tell, he's not himself at all, he's just sitting and moping

[kovu07]

Aww that sounds so sad, I hope i'm right in the fact that they can be put back together, a sad degu is not a nice sight

[philbailey1806]

I'm gonna have to put him back in, I can't bear to see his sad little face any more, its heartbreaking

[kovu07]

I'm sure it's the right thing to do and I certainly would, especially since you've left it for 5 days to be on the safe side. But like I said in a previous post i'm sure someone will tell me otherwise.

[philbailey1806]

ha ha, he's gone in like a DREAM! absolutely no humping, just a bit of warbling and cuddling, the poor babies got confused though and started trying to suckle him lol but everyone looks sooooooo much happier on the whole.

[kovu07]

Aww i'm so glad, they really do thrive in groups, and I bet you have 2 very happy adult goos now. Also i'm laughing at the confused babies

[philbailey1806]

Ha ha, at first he was like oooooh! cuddles, then he sorta froze when they started suckling and then leaped over the top of them! lol looks like theyre enjoying themselves though!

[kovu07]

It's all fun and games at your house lol

[philbailey1806]

It is! 13 rodents and 6 fish and just me to look after them all for 7 days! lol. I'm sure Ernies enjoyin himself, he's in the nest now snuggling while ednas eating, he loves cuddles, but Edna hates them lol.

Plus, I don't know if I said, but I've sexed them! Got 6 boys and 2 girls! Hopefully there will be some boys that enjoy a cuddle as much as Ern!

[kovu07]

Aww he sounds very content, and nope I didn't know you'd sexed them, are you keeping any?

[philbailey1806]

I'm keeping 2 girls and 2 boys, so I'm very glad that the others are all the same sex, as they can go as a foursome or in pairs, plus, if the worst comes to the worst and I have to take them to pets at home to re-home them, they can't "resex" them for me like I was scared of and mix them up!

[kovu07]

Sounds like a plan, I assume you'll have the girls in one cage with mum and the boys in another with dad? Also I hope you're able to let the other 4 go as a group of four, it'll be much nicer that way.

[philbailey1806]

Yes, thats the plan, 2 groups of 3, the only thing I'm a little concerned of is the boys fighting over the smell of the girls when theyre in season because theres boys nearby if that makes any sense? lol, but I suppose I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it, and move the boys (or the girls) cage away. Its a shame Edna and Ern can't live together, they get on so well.

And yes, I agree, I would rather see the boys go as a foursome rather than be split up.

[kovu07]

It is a shame edna n ern can't live together but you don't want anymore babies lol, I think in regards to the females being in season, having the cages a fair way apart should prevent any fighting, one either side of the room perhaps. Or even better if you can make a two wooden cages as then the smell will be more contained, as well as the bedding

I'm sure someone on here will be eager to take the four little ones off your hands, especially as they will be so tame.

[philbailey1806]

I'm hoping so! They're gonna be right little characters, can tell, they aren't even a week old and they're having a good run round, esp since dads in now! must feel safe.

[kovu07]

That sounds lovely

[deguconvert]

I think you've done the right thing for them all. The pups will have a much more balanced degu character as a result of having Dad in there to teach them as well. I'm so glad they are all so happy together! Well done!

[kovu07]

Phew, I guess I was on the right lines after all