First Timers Adivce?

[babygirllllll]

So I'm pretty sure my female is pregnant. And I have a few questions/ concerns I would like answered before the little fur butts arrive. I tried google, but I figured you guys would actualy know what you're talking about.

Question 1: Is there anything I special I should do to make mommy more comfortable at this point? I think she should be due in a little under a month. Any special foods, vitamins, etc.

Question 2: I was told once the kits are born to remove all the ledges and shelves so momma wont hurt them when shes jumping around. Should I take them out beforehand so she doesn't hurt the kits by jumping and crashing while they're still inside her or are they safe?

Question 3: I heard mixing orange juice in with her water will help milk production. Is this true? If so, when should I start doing this?

Question 4: Once the kits are born, how long should I wait before handling them? And how long should each encounter be?

Question 5: Anything else I should know? (Thats not in the FAQ section)


Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[starleomach]

Question 1: Is there anything I special I should do to make mommy more comfortable at this point? I think she should be due in a little under a month. Any special foods, vitamins, etc.

nope all she needs is good feed, fresh water and lots of hay

Question 2: I was told once the kits are born to remove all the ledges and shelves so momma wont hurt them when shes jumping around. Should I take them out beforehand so she doesn't hurt the kits by jumping and crashing while they're still inside her or are they safe?

I leave mine in

Question 3: I heard mixing orange juice in with her water will help milk production. Is this true? If so, when should I start doing this?

NO! Orange juice is not ok, some people use apple but it is not necessary, never ever use orange juice . the apple juice doesn't actually do anything other than introduce sugars that are not necessary. Alfalfa hay is great for nursing moms it does halp milk production a bit

Question 4: Once the kits are born, how long should I wait before handling them? And how long should each encounter be?

I have been known to gross my husband out by bringing still wet kits to him to see LOL. Usually I hold off messing with the kits until they are dry. then I don't take them away for more than a few minutes at a time. I leave the kits alone a bit more with new or nervous moms

 

[6Dusters]

The "non" baby cage I had my pregnant female in had very high ledges at different heights. I placed her in a baby safe cage after I saw her birthing her kits. I had all the materials needed and had planned on doing the cage the next day. I put her and the kits in a spare run I don't use as I worked.

In my baby safe cage I have one large ledge only 6 inches off the cage bottom. I don't want mom sitting on a ledge placed too high. The kits can't reach her to nurse. I put my ledge in when kits were two weeks of age. I did keep a small metal duster box in the cage for "a mom mental health break". And it also provides a safe hiding place for kits. My new mom has a female cagemate helper with her. And the helper sometimes likes to run around at full speed. Thus the box keeps kits safe.

This female also blessed me with quads. NOT FUN. My advice to you is to read the FAQS and make notes to keep on hand. Anything could happen.

In my case I had to leave my new little family for two days to attend a chin show. ( family age is one week ) My husband watched them. However he only knows how to feed and water chins. I came home to one kit that was beaten up. For ten days it was eye drops and antibiotics. I was rotating kits before I left. My options were take the whole family and stress them or take a chance and race back home. I raced back home after the show and arrived home at 2 am.

My husband did keep the kit suppliment bowl filled alongside the pellets. I couldn't find the powder goat milk. My formula is food grade regular oats mixed with ground pellets. I use a coffee bean grinder. Then I found the powder goats milk this weekend.

Tools that have helped me with previous litters and the quads:
1. You need to have a vet and a back up in case of an emergency
2. Understand the possible need for a warming box in the event of rotating
3. By week one my kits always eat the suppliment along with good quality hay
4. I always keep a can of liquid goats milk on hand and have used it!
5. Have your syringe or bottle nipples ready in the event of hand feeding


I don't have many litters due to space. My first breeding couple was a female who had late milk. I bred her twice and the same problem. So I retired her. And my second breeding female delivered the quads.
I am sure you will receive other replies to your thread. My suggestions are based only on my breeding experiences. This is my first year as a breeder. I am a worry wart when kits arrive. And I'm thankful to my breeding mentors that I have been able to call by phone.

Good luck and I hope your not blessed with quads. :wacko: