Time to remove the kits from mom?

[laurie.macdonald]

Hello again =]

Ive read and been told that at 8 weeks, I should take the kits from mom, especially if they are males (which they are), but ive noticed that mom keeps pushing the babies away everytime they try to nurse. She will push them, and even nip at them. They are 4 weeks old, is this normal or is it time to remove them from the mother? any help would be great.
Thanks !!

 

[VolunteerChin22]

4 weeks is too soon...how much do they weigh?

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

If mom doesn't want to feed them or can't it is time to wean them because it sounds like mom is weaning them. She could injure one of them.

 

[Sooner Chinchillas]

I agree with Cathy. 4 weeks is too early in most cases, but for the mom that is ready to wean the babies it isn't too early. She may hurt the babies if she doesn't want them to nurse and they continue to try. I generally wean anywhere from 6-8 weeks and then watch them very closely for 2 weeks to make sure they are going all right on their own.

I have weaned at 4 weeks before though. One was my ebony girl (she was born at like 90 grams and was ready by 4 weeks), the other case was a set of twins that lost their momma. I just make sure to have fresh water, food, hay cubes, and loose timothy hay available at all times.

I don't weigh my babies when I wean them either. I have a pretty good eye for babies that are ready to wean.

 

[Chinniechantel]

I would weight them if you don't have a great eye for it. If under 140-150 grams I would hand feed or use a dry supplement (1 part crushed pellets or critical care, 1 part powdered goats milk, one part baby oatmeal cereal) and keep it in there at all times, giving new stuff every day and tossing out the old.