Hi Janet, I wouldn't change the cage out or make changes to its content
until the pups are weaned. This could get the mother distracted and
make her spend several hours neglecting the pups while she gets
everything back in order. I wait until the pups are about 3 weeks and
then do a partial litter replacement, and not a full cleaning, (but I
don't touch the nest).
I take the pups out every day starting about 10 days, the mom's seem
just fine with it. Be careful though, even at 7 days they have amazing
athelic capability and will leap out of your hands.
Good luck with them! Donna A.
Janet Morrow wrote:
> Hi Donna and everyone, The 3 pups are doing well. We appear to be
> very lucky, Hanna is a very attentive mother. She after they were all
> born she moved them to a new nest. She is spending most of her time
> in with them, and they are in a nice pile. A couple of times I think
> Jo-Jo tried to take a baby while she was eating. However, she ran
> right back and got in with them. (He may only have been checking on
> them while she was gone.) When I open the cage to she came running
> over to get some sunflower seeds. When the babies woke up and started
> to squeak she got right back in with them, and refused to come out
> again. She would only poke her head out to take the seeds. I know
> that all the babies will have Ruby eyes since this is what both
> parents have. The mother is an Argente Cream. The father is a
> Lilac. According to the "Gene Predictor" they will most likely have:
> Argente Golden, Argente Cream, Red eyed Algerian Fox, Ivory (Cream),
> Red eyed Schimmel, Lilac, Dove, Argente Nutmeg, Red Eyed Blue Fox, Red
> Eyed White, and Undefined. Right now I am afraid to touch the nest or
> get too close. I don't what to upset the mother, especial since she
> is doing so well. Question: Will it be OK to start touching them when
> they are 10 days old? I do not want to take a chance. Also, when
> will it be safe to change the bedding? I just did it two days ago. So
> I should have some time. Janet & ElizabethMountain Ash
