Help on nursing babie chins.

[Nickv0195]

So i am rotating and hand feeding baby chinchillas. Well am starting hand feeding tonight. My question was is when i hand feed i was told to hold the baby upright to nurse. is that correct ? I was also wondering when i should hand feed them . I am aware i need to rotate every two hours, so when i do rotate , the one that is going into the carrier do i hand feed right then ? or do i let it stay in the carrier for an hour and then nurse ? Hoping someone helps before tonight. Thank you.

 

[RDZCRanch]

Are the kits still fighting and/or not gaining weight?

 

[menagerie]

You should supplement them as they come out from mom to top them up. Mother's milk is preferable to the hand feeding formula. If you handfeed before they go back in with mom, they are not going to nurse.

 

[Nickv0195]

Hey are still fighting

 

[Laurie]

Nursing is best with mother's milk. What are the weights on the kits, Nick? Have then been gaining weight? Are they fighting all the time or only when they are trying to nurse?

 

[tunes]

As Meanie said, you hand feed just before you put them in the carrier for their 2 hour stay. If they are still fighting, odds are mom doesn't have enough milk for two, which means you are going to have to hand feed them for the duration.

When I had feed I hold the kit in the palm of my hand, their back to my palm. I tip them back, but not completely flat. They are upright, but back enough that I have access to their mouths.

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

I hold kits like tunes said. Kits normally lay on their back when they nurse. That position allows the kit to milk your hand with its' back feet while drinking and act like it does with mom.