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View Full Version : couple of questions for expecting mom


Helen
02-03-2005, 12:21 AM
My Landry is about 3 weeks along; she's started gaining weight a lot faster in the last few days, so I'm assuming that she is indeed pregnant. She started at 333 grams, and was at 350 at two weeks, and shot up to 380 at three weeks. I can feel that her belly feels fuller, and she just seems bigger in general.

1- cage- she's in a C&C cage now, and I know that's bad. Can I make a wooden box to fit in her cage? I can't find the plastic coroplast anywhere. I am thinking of making a simple plywood open box, and putting it in her cage. I'm thinking tall, like 10-12 inches tall sides. I would just throw this away after the babies are weaned. I hate to put her back in her sterilite cage, because it's less than half the size of this new cage.

2- bedding- What is the best bedding to put in her cage before the babies come? Should I use pine shavings, or the carefresh-type stuff?

3- baths- is it still safe to give her a bath? She needs it badly, and a nail trim. She actually seems to enjoy her bathtime, until I pour water over her back, and then she's done. :laugh: I was thinking that if I just don't pour water on her, and just concentrate on her feet, that she should be fine.

4- wheel- When do I take the wheel out? 28-29 days?

5- diet- I've been giving her extra bits of different things every night, and she just loves it. Usually I give her a few pieces of scrambled egg, or chicken or ground turkey; then she also gets either a little bit of fruit or veggies, like one grape cut in quarters and peeled, or a cherry, or some corn and peas. (generally a tiny bit of whatever the gliders are getting that night.) I would say that it doesn't add up to more than a teaspoon nightly. Should I cut down on it, or increase it? She goes straight for the extra stuff every night, and then when that's all gone she eats her cat food. Should I add in some canned cat food? Does she need anything else extra in her diet?

giry76
02-03-2005, 07:02 AM
As for the coroplast. Where in Ohio are you? My company has a branch in Cleveland and we sell 4 x 8 sheets of coroplast for $7 +/-. Here is a website with the locations. http://www.totalplastics.com/location.htm We can also ship it if you can't get to a branch. Just call the nearest branch and tell them you would like some coroplast.

Helen
02-03-2005, 07:07 AM
I looked up the map, and I know exactly where that is! I will have to call and see if I can go in when they're open. Thank you! :)

bloane
02-03-2005, 02:21 PM
1.) I personally don't like the idea of c+c cages with a mom due to deliver babies soon. The babies don't always stay put in a nest box, and could end up squirming out somewhere that they can't return from, and dying from exposure in a relatively short amount of time. I personally would put her in a sterilite during her due time and when she has small babies, it is much safer for her, and since she won't be as active when she is due and has the tinies, the smaller cage size won't be that big of a deal.
2.) Bedding is mostly a personal preference. I personally use a good soft kiln dried pine for my cages, because it is inexpensive, soft, and pretty absorbent. Whatever you use, make sure it is either easily (and quietly) scoopable, or doesn't get dirty super fast.
3.) Foot baths should be fine, just make sure the water isn't too warm or too cold, and that she is dried off thoroughly afterwards. IMO, these should stop completely at about 28 days gestation, and be put on hold until the babies are 3-4 weeks of age at least.
4.) None of my girls are allowed access to a wheel after 28 days gestation. Most aren't as interested by this stage anyway. I know when I was hugely pregnant, I wasn't interested in physical activity either. ;)
5.) Sounds like you are doing great with her diet :) I would be extra sure to have plenty of protien and calcium based foods available to her especially towards the end of her pregnancy and early nursing, but it looks great. :)
Becca

giry76
02-03-2005, 05:41 PM
Glad to be of help Helen.

Helen
02-07-2005, 11:11 PM
Update- I made her a new cage, we connected a smaller, dark colored sterilite to ther bigger clear one, and filled it up with pine shavings, and put a heating pad under half the "breeding room". I'm gonna give her one last footie bath tonight and trim her nails, and then leave her be for a week or two. I think she's gonna be a grump missing her wheel, but oh well. Now we just need lots of luck!