What age do you separate Mom & Babies?

[cjbapp]

Ok...I have heard many different things...and probably will not get a unanimous answer here either. :)

But...with a small litter of two healthy babies, at what age do you recommend letting them go to their new homes? How about a large litter of 5 or so? And do you put them in separate cages for monitoring a few days before letting them go, or do they go straight from Mom to their new human mommy?

Thanks!
Cher

[Alecia]

I pull the babies at eight weeks. They then either live alone or with an older sib or with other "weanies." I then watch them for about two weeks, making sure they are eating, drinking, pooping, etc. THEN and only then would I consider letting them go to a new home, and even then, I want a chin knowledgeable home. For a first time home, I would rather wait for 4 months of age, just because babies are so delicate, especially with eating and whatnot.

[cjbapp]

Are you talking about Chins or Hediges?? :)

[hemi_mygirl]

I've read that most breeders pull the babies at between 6 and 8 weeks. Males have to be pulled at 6 weeks, because they reach sexual maturity around then, and may get it into their heads to breed mom. Females can stay longer. Sometimes, in a larger litter, breeders will pull the bigger siblings earlier, to let the smaller ones get more milk, for longer, so they catch up.

[cjbapp]

I've read 6-8 weeks too...but I have also read that more or less babies makes a difference. So I am wondering if the smaller litters are on the 6-week end of the age range and larger litters more towards 8 weeks?

[Alecia]

Haha, I'm dumb. Sorry, I always just hit New Posts and reply. I forget that there are hedgie people here too. So ignore me :)

[cjbapp]

Don't feel dumb! :) It's completely something I would do. I was sure I posted in Chins when I saw your message...but for once it was NOT me. LOL! Thanks for making me feel better! Haha!!

[bloane]

VERY rarely will I wean a litter before the age of 6 weeks, and very rarely do I leave boys with mom past about 6 1/2 weeks. If the litter is large, and the babies are pretty small, I usually will leave the girls with mom for another week or two, but I pull the boys and give them smashed up kibble (coffee grinders are GREAT for this) and they seem to do fine. I always keep my babies around for at least a week after I wean them to make sure they are doing fine on their own without mom, and there have been a few cases where I haven't let the babies go to their new homes for a month or more after weaning.
Becca