Parents and Baby on Craigslist...

[aussiljd]

There is a posting in my area on CL for a pair of chins and their baby, only the baby is only FIVE DAYS OLD! They want them gone immediately. I figure that with someone like this there isn't much of point of trying to convince them to hang onto them until the baby is older and weaned and take the father out, but what kind of risks are involved with taking in a baby and it's mother that young? I'm really worried where these guys are going to end up :/

 

[tunes]

There should be no risk to anybody as long as mom and baby stay together. I've moved newborn kits and moms 16 or more hours to get them home. I don't recommend it on a regular basis, but better they get to someone who wants them than be where they are at now.

 

[addictedtochins]

I see it's only $50 for everything, incl the cage. Is there any way you can get them and adopt them when it is the right time? Momma is probably pregnant again.

 

[aussiljd]

I went and picked them all up... They aren't in the greatest shape. I'm keeping the three together for the first week, then removing dad. He told me they had been too warm and that is why their coats were that bad... The "cage" they came with was like a 12"-18" cube- WAY too small for all of them. They are on one large single level cage right now until the baby is older. I made sure he couldn't squeeze through the bars- believe, he really tried.

Now, I do not know how to properly care for a baby chin- I have never had to do it before. Do I need a low water bottle, or will he be able to reach it once he is ready to drink water on his own? I think I'm calling the little guy Spencer

I'll post pics as soon as I upload them... I didn't want to disturb them too much, they seem very stressed. Mom gave birth at a student's house, then was brought back to the school, then to the teacher's house, and now to my house.

 

[tunes]

No special care for the little one. Make sure he can reach the pellets, hay, and water bottle. If it's too high, he'll have trouble getting at it, so get it down where you think he can reach as soon as you can. They start eating pellets and hay within a day or two of being born, just nibbling, and drinking from the bottle can happen any time after that. Sometimes they just play with it at first, but they will drink even while nursing off mom.

Go ahead and give them a dust bath. It might help to settle them down and make them more comfortable. Keep them in a quiet area where mom and the kit can have some peace to go about their business. If you don't already have one in there, it would help them to settle in if you gave them a house to hide in.

 

[aussiljd]

Okay, don't mind the quality... And the perch dad is on in the one picture has been removed (I though I read no perches or shelves somewhere once, so I took it out as a precaution).

First, baby Spencer, supposedly 5 days old

Mom, who should be about a year or almost a year old

And Dad, about a year old, supposedly was imported from Germany and did well when he was shown here

Taking any baby pointers!

 

[aussiljd]

No special care for the little one. Make sure he can reach the pellets, hay, and water bottle. If it's too high, he'll have trouble getting at it, so get it down where you think he can reach as soon as you can. They start eating pellets and hay within a day or two of being born, just nibbling, and drinking from the bottle can happen any time after that. Sometimes they just play with it at first, but they will drink even while nursing off mom.

Go ahead and give them a dust bath. It might help to settle them down and make them more comfortable. Keep them in a quiet area where mom and the kit can have some peace to go about their business. If you don't already have one in there, it would help them to settle in if you gave them a house to hide in.

I just put a house in there, and I have two water bottles set up, one low for baby and one higher for the adults. Thanks!

 

[tunes]

God, they look horrible. That is some mighty fierce fur chewing going on there. Be sure to get them apart and keep them apart. Neither one of those animals should be bred, ever.

The baby looks about right for a 5 day old kit. A total cutie.

 

[addictedtochins]

Thank you so much for rescuing them!! Spencer is adorable. You'll see, they will all shape up with time. Have you read about keeping a quarintine?

 

[menagerie]

Poor babies, I'm glad they found their way to you. Be sure to give mum and dad lots of quality food and hay. They all look like they need daily dust baths for a week.

I agree with Tunes, remove dad from mum now. Chances are good that she is already pregnant again. But if she's not, in the condition that they are in they should not be bred.

 

[aussiljd]

The original four are in the "chin room," the beige chin (I haven't named her yet) is in my bedroom, and the new guys are in the family room. I have been washing my hands between handling them all, and am going to take particular caution with this new bunch.

Dad will be coming out then as well... I just thought they might settle in a little better at first together. The male is in by far the worst condition.

I am very glad I found this forum, there is always a support team and wealth of knowledge on here!

 

[6Dusters]

Your wonderful taking them in. Congrats!

 

[sheri7]

Baby is a cutie pie. Dad's fur looks a little rough. Hopefully with a little love and care they will thrive.

Good going

 

[Carol~Anne]

Baby is a doll but mom and dad look really rough. I know they'll do much better with your good care. Don't forget to post updates and good for you for taking the poor things in.

 

[saphire]

you are a blessing! thank you for them.

 

[Newt]

I'm so glad you took in those poor precious wee ones. You have such a kind heart. Well done xxxxx

 

[aussiljd]

Well they have been here for one week now and everyone is doing great. Obviously coats are still pretty rough, but they are slowly gaining weight and settling in.

Today both of the adult chins took treats from my hand. I have been trying twice a day and while they are both still quite skittish, I think they might be warming up to me a little bit The male seems awful lonely now that he has been alone, so I'm thinking of introducing him to another male after his quarantine period is up. He runs in circles like a maniac when I come near his cage, and it took him much longer to become interested in the treat in my hand, and even longer to actually dare to get close enough to snatch it. The female has sniffed it a few times before, but until this morning never taken it from my hand.

And little Spencer has grown a lot in one week! I have been making sure to handle him daily, but he is becoming more like chin and enjoys being handled less every day.