how long can i keep pups together..??

[madhoose]

Here's the story so far ...

pumpkin had 5 babies 3 died shortly after birth 2 have grown strong a girl and a boy they are now 5 weeks old but our beautiful pumpkin passed away yesterday..

When they reach 6 weeks i was separating them... The wee boy was moving in with daddy and the we girl was staying with mummy... Now if i separate them the wee girl will be all by herself until i can sort something out..

So i was wondering if anybody knows how long i could possibly keep the two wee ones together before the wee girl becomes pregnant...??

In the meantime i am looking to try and find her a new baby goo playmate.. But there doesn't seem to be any up this neck of the woods...

[fred]

I am so sorry about Pumpkin. You really have been through a lot in your short time as a degu owner!

I think the general view these days is that captive degus can become pregnant from about eight weeks onward. There have been anecdotal cases where it seems to have happened at an earlier age; and it is often suggested that they are separated when they are six weeks old. Personally I think it is most important now that the little girl keeps company right now. I would consider to put dad with them for another couple of weeks. If I remember correctly, boys become fertile somewhat later, around 12 weeks. I will try to find more information on this.

[Maravilla]

Sorry to hear about Pumpkin . She surely was a good mother for her babies and a wonderful degu.

I wouldn't risk putting dad (not neutered I think?) together with the baby girl. In the German degu forum the general opinion is that girls can become pregnant with 6 weeks but there seem to be rare occasions with girls becoming pregnant at around 5 weeks (surely nothing one should risk). You can have the boy and the girl together for another 2-3 weeks (boys become fertile around 10-12 weeks) but I think there is an adult missing to teach them all the important things a degu needs to know. It is really a hard situation and I don't know what is best for your little ones.

[madhoose]

Thank you Fred and Maravilla for your kind words it's been such a shock.

I thought i read somewhere that boys become fertile around 3 to 4 months but can't remember where i read it as I've had so much reading recently... That's why i hoped i could leave them together a wee bit longer... bless them they are totally lost in the cage without her..

I had to take dad out last week as he was constantly humping the babies and they would constantly be on their backs legs in the air squealing yes we know your the boss... but mummy wasn't happy with this as she still seen them as babies so she became really protective of them and started warning daddy off it got very heated in there and quite scary and she wouldn't let him near the nest at all .. so i decided it would be best to take daddy out... though they do get to play with him when they're all out running about for a couple of hours twice a day and he's not as bad with them then... I don't know if i'm brave enough to put him back in cage with them.. but then what if that is for the best ..? maybe i could put him in until she's 6 weeks..?? It's just so hard to know what to do.. ** sorry just read the bit again that she could get pregnant from 5 weeks it just gets worse
that's that one out the window then**

Obviously i need to get another a girl goo for her .. I was thinking a baby around the same age as i think they should accept each other with little problems.. But i am forgetting that they are still learning so perhaps it would be better to get an older girl to teach her.. but then would i have to introduce them slowly.. ?? my problem there would be I've already used up all my cages... or would an older girl accept her as she is still a baby..

Sorry for all the questions .. i just can't seem to make sense of things at the mo...

[Ady]

Sorry about Pumpkin hun.

Have u consider adopting adult female to company the baby girl? Maybe the little one could benefit from adult. I would too keep the babies together no longer than 9-10 weeks.

EDIT: I was typing while u posted. Anyway my boy got his sister pregnant aged 10-11 weeks so I would separate them before 10 weeks of age or earlier.

[madhoose]

Thanks Ady, that's now what I'm thinking an adult girl would be the better option and at least i'v got a few weeks to find one..

[nuttz]

personally, i wouldnt trust putting daddy back in.. you know what adult males can be like
i think, like ady has said, you should be fine to keep the babies together for another couple of weeks, max 10 weeks of age to be safe, but by doing this...your male baby is getting bigger and this raises some concerns for me as you really dont want daddy to reject his baby, you really dont want to have to deal with any bad intros i think youve had quite enough on your plate of late!

the best case would be for you to find either a baby girl or an adult, or possibly two? ASAP
my fingers are crossed for you hun! keep looking, im sure theres some goos that are in need of some love!!!

[madhoose]

Thanks nuttz,
I won't keep them together than 9- 10 wks for obvious reasons ..

Might have some good news.. 3 big girls to look after her.. just need to know what i would do about intros... So have posted there hoping for some guidance before i jump in blindfolded..

Babies still see daddy at playtime( supervised of course ) so hopefully daddy will be ok with the wee man if they have to be apart for another few weeks..