When do they start eating real food?

[PaperMoon]

I noticed today that one of the babies was nibbling on some hay and right now, she's chewing on some wood chews that I gave to her mom. She's 94g and she is exactly 3 weeks old. Her brother is at 64g (small ) but he hasn't been nibbling on the hay. He mainly nurses and occasionally chews on wood chews.

So, when have you guys start to notice that babies begin eating real food (hay, pellets) more regularly? Can it be because the baby girl is already nibbling on some hay that her weight sky rocketed above and beyond her brothers?

Any thoughts/ advice is great! :wink2:

 

[AZChins]

Sometimes babies just grow at a different rate than even their own siblings. As long as he is active and nursing, I wouldn't worry too much...but keep an eye on him just to make sure that you can catch if he isn't eating. He should have a warm round belly that shows he is nursing and getting milk.

Babies can start eating hay and pellets at a couple of days old. At that point they aren't eating all that much. At a few weeks of age they're eating but probably as a result of copying their mama, they aren't eating enough on their own to support the rapid growth!

Most of the time babies start really eating quite a bit at 5 to 7 weeks. They start to not get as much milk around that time, the nursing will start to taper off.

 

[cintistatern2005]

I honestly know nothing about breeding but have you tried to give the brother some alone time with mom and see if he starts putting on some weight. Correct me if im wrong guys, lol!!

 

[PaperMoon]

Yea, I rotated the sister out for a while, he started gaining a little be faster, then he did fine on his own again... Now he's slowing down so, I'm thinking of resuming the rotating...

Thanks everyone!