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Post by Ady on Oct 15, 2011 19:37:27 GMT
This is a bit odd question but I wonder where are the nipples if the female degu isn't pregnant? I know that nipples start to show about 7 days before birth with pregnant degu, but where are they if not pregnant? Are the nipples hidden or are they're still there, just too small to find? The thing is I found tiny nipples on my little girl today (I'm sure it's nipples) and I'm confused. There could be slight chance she got pregnant but please tell me she isn't and nipples are just always there!
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Post by Ady on Oct 16, 2011 9:18:22 GMT
I have one more question. What age is male degu able to impregnate female degu? I was sure it's 3 months. Did I get it wrong? Thanx
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Post by fred on Oct 16, 2011 10:06:52 GMT
Nipples can be seen when the females are not pregnant but they would be small and more difficult to detect.
I don't think you will find a reliable answer what the minimum age for male degus is to become fertile. The little information we have is anecdotal or guess work. In the wild, there wouldn't be any need to be fertile before they are about nine months old. In our captive degus, many things around reproduction have changed quite dramatically.
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Post by Ady on Oct 16, 2011 12:08:52 GMT
Thanks Fred
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Post by Ady on Oct 17, 2011 19:12:03 GMT
Well, she's pregnant with her brother. I can't believe it. I'm such a irresponsible owner. She's just about to be 5 months old and she's having babies. I don't know why I was so sure he can't impregnate anyone till he's 12 weeks old. I left my pups together since they were 10 weeks old. Oh boy. I'm worried about her as she's still so small with such a big bump. Hope everything will go alright.
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 19, 2011 5:16:06 GMT
You know, I would have thought the same as you. It is only recently that we are learning more about the early (or so it seems after believing for so long that sexual maturity wasn't until at least six months age) sexual maturity of degus, both male and female. It's sort of new ground in a way, and doesn't seem to be something that is well documented, at least in English speaking circles. We are certainly realizing that there are great differences between the breeding cycles of wild degus and the breeding cycles in domestic/pet degus.
You mustn't accuse or blame yourself. You were functioning on your best knowledge and understanding. As would any of us, were we in your place.
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Post by Ady on Oct 29, 2011 13:33:02 GMT
Thank you DC.
I'm getting a bit worried about her. She seems ok, active, eating well. The thing that concerns me is that she's been showing nipples for at least 15 days. I believe they usually give birth in about week after showing nipples for up to 14 days if they have big litter. She doesnt seem to me big enough to have big litter, weights only 300grams. (my other girl was 375grams and had 5 pups). I felt her tummy and her sides last nite and the day before and there's no movement. I believe she and little ones will be fine in the end but you know how it feels when it comes to our degus health, so if anyone has any suggestion at all I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
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Post by Ady on Nov 1, 2011 22:16:28 GMT
Well, I believe tonite is the night. She's whooping 390grams, been resting most of the day and there's loads and loads movement in her tummy. I got some footage of the pups moving inside but it's only like 10 sec. Going to put some more fresh tea towels and tissue in her nest again
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Post by deguconvert on Nov 2, 2011 2:31:00 GMT
How exciting!!! It must look so cool to see them moving in her belly . . . although I really don't think I would want to BE her! LOL!
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Post by Ady on Nov 3, 2011 8:18:34 GMT
Frankie had 5 pups last nite. They seem a bit tinier than first litter we had (when Frankie was born) but are active and have eyes open. I will check them over in the night when i got back from work. I checked mum all over and she's fine, her bits are still bit bloody but seems ok. Gave her huge almond and lots of kisses I was worried about her being so young but so far so good. Also she didn't give birth in her bed/nest that I was mending for her for last 10 days (maybe that's why ) She gave birth in their straw comparment, I gave her extra tea towels and she covered the pups. Will post some pics later.
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Post by Ady on Nov 3, 2011 14:05:08 GMT
Here's first pic I took this morning, bit smudgy though...
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Post by Ady on Nov 3, 2011 14:14:54 GMT
One more...
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Post by Kins on Nov 3, 2011 14:38:45 GMT
Naaaawww, they are so cute. Babies galore on here at the moment!
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Post by deguconvert on Nov 3, 2011 22:44:34 GMT
They have such HUGE HEADS when they are so brand new!! They are certainly adorable!! Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on things. Congrats.
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