Surprise we are here!

[Cuddlebug]

I agree, 3 males. Congratulations! I have a Petsmart cage that I had to make baby safe. We used the hardware cloth (1/2 x 1/2). We attached it to the cage with wire ties. It actually looks pretty decent.

 

[AZChins]

I think they are males....the last one probably is a male...it looks like a male..

 

[inzeos]

Thanks guys! My wife and I had a feeling they were all males, which is funny cause we were thinking wouldn't it be great if they were females and we didn't have to worry about another cage space right away I think we will be putting in an order for an FN-143 or two.

In general will three males who have grown up together be sociable with each other to stay in one cage? I know our existing two male rescues are still trying to get used to each other through a slow introduction process. Wondering if the bond of birth will keep them friendly and hopefully not fight each other. Just want to plan appropriately!

 

[inzeos]

Managed to weigh the little guys today and here are the weights;

Standard Runt - 31g
Standard - 47g
Mosaic - 49g

 

[AZChins]

The three little brothers would probably do extremely well together since they are brothers and they will have spent all their lives together. I hope they can stay together!!

The two larger ones are pretty close to average size for newborn kits. I hope that the runt is nursing and doing well. 31 grams is very small!

 

[Essentia]

While there is never any guarantee, if they grow up together they usually get along long term. I have father/son pair that love each other dearly.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Keep an eye on the little runt. If he doesn't gain weight, may need to rotate or supplement.

 

[inzeos]

How many grams should the runt be gaining before we consider intervining? He was the little guy who escaped the cage for a few hours.

 

[inzeos]

So they only down side of the little guys arriving, is that their father who is in the lower half of the FN-142 has turned into a menace. We think he is very aware of the kits and now nips at the slightest approach. He used to come right up to us and let us scratch behind his ears.

 

[tunes]

General rule of thumb is 2 gm a day until they get a bit bigger and start gaining more each day. As long as he IS gaining, it's good.

 

[inzeos]

Managed to snag two new pictures with my phone tonight. Bonny the mom was taking a break for food and the little guys decided it was a good time to explore the cage more.

You can see the size different between the runt and the other standard.

 

[inzeos]

After further inspection I do not believe that the little guys eyes are open. We thought they were open earlier but just looked different due to his size.

Should we now try to assist him in opening them? I read an answer to an Ask Yahoo question, which I believe might have been answered by Tunes. The advice was to use a cotton ball or a wash cloth dampened with water and gentle work the eye area.

Thoughts and advice appreciated.

 

[Jenn]

sorry, I can't help you with your question, but just wanted to state that you have some adorable lil chins! Best of luck with them!!!

 

[RDZCRanch]

Yes, you need to open the eyes on your own. If they are left closed they can often times become infected resulting in the death of the eye(s).

I personally use a Q-tip or cotton ball with warm water. Gently rub the water with the moistened tip and then gently pry the eye open. If it does not come open easily, re-wet with more water and try again. Repeat as necessary until the eyes are open.

 

[inzeos]

Today's weigh in on the kits; 2 are at 53g and the runt is still at 30/31. Runt's eyes are open enough that we can see them. Though he seems to like to keep them shut. All are still nursing.

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

I know from reading this section often that if the littlest guy can't seem to gain weight, or if you see him being pushed aside by the other kits when it's time to nurse, that you can rotate them. Take the two biggest out for 2 hours, then put them back and take the little guy out, etc.

Maybe that would be a good time to put them in with the father, he might cheer up if he gets to groom and sit with the little ones--I made the mistake of not separating Rodya and Sonya after she gave birth to Ivan, so I'm still waiting to see if she has another litter, BUT Rodya was an excellent father, he enjoyed grooming Ivan, and he would sit next to Sonya and they would tuck the baby between them to keep him really warm. If I would take Ivan out of the cage and he would make his little peeping noises, Rodya would often be the first to come to the front of the cage to see what was wrong. Unlike most rodents, Chins make great fathers not like hamsters or something who often kill their young..
Anyway that's just *if* you need to rotate them, and that's just my suggestion based on one litter, so you should def wait until Tunes or Tabitha let you/us know whether my idea is a bad one, or not, before you do that.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Rotating is a good idea. I, however would leave the runt in with mom 24/7 and rotate only the bigger ones, 2 hours with mom, 2 hours with dad, repeat.

 

[inzeos]

I'm considering rotating them out. However, I'll need to baby proof the lower half of the FN-142 before I can put them in. What temperature range do the babies need when not with one of the parents?

 

[VolunteerChin22]

I suggest that you check petsmart to see if they have a cage ive seen there recently - its one level has a blue bottom and white wire. the spacing is 1/2" wide and its about the size of a small guinea pig cage. I belive it was about 40$ I would get that to put babies in while you rotate with a fleece liner and put a heating pad under one half on very lowest setting or cuddle buddie in with them. It would be so much easier just to get that cage rather than trying to proof dad's side. I think it was this cage - http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3057125&lmdn=Product+Type It looks like this but the one I saw had a blue bottom.

 

[inzeos]

The little guy gained 2g up to 32g when I weighed him a few hours ago.