Kelly J
User
| Posts: 9 |   |
|
Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/11 16:17
Hello all,
I'm new to Hedgehog World and breeding, so please be nice, as I'm a rather anxious hoglet grandma 
I've had a female African Pygmy Hedgehog for around two years now, and recently decided to breed her - after having done as much research as possible.
I was aware that first time mums often kill, partially eat or neglect their hoglets. so was prepared for the worst, but hoped for the best. I know that breeding chogs isn't easy at all, so I guess my outlook was to see any progress as a positive learning experience.
However, Fizzgig (Mum Chog) gave birth on Saturday night, and I was overcome with joy when I heard the faintest, birdlike squeaks coming from the nest box. I was elated.
Naturally, I didn't look at the hoglets and still haven't as it's only been 4 days and I want to wait at least a week. However, as a first time breeder I'm awfully worried about their chance of survival - even though they're alive and sounding well four days on.
I'd like to ask any long time breeders with more experience than me what they think the chances are given that she seems to have been a very good mum up until now. Basically, I just don't want to get my hopes up after only four days just to be devastated in the next couple of days. So, in your experience fellow breeders, can I crack open the bubbly, or, is there still a good chance that she'll become neglectful before they're old enough to hold their own?
Any advice will be warmly received.
Thanks
Kx
Kelly J xxx |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Julie Pierce
User
| Posts: 984 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/11 19:37
Hi,
There are no guarantees. All you do is leave the nest alone, keep the room quiet and wait. The fact that she is tending to the babies since their birth is definitely a good sign but again there are no guarantees. Dont disrupt the nest (I know its sooo hard to stay away)If you see her pushing babies out of the nest or avoiding the nest box altogether then you have problems. Just take a day at a time, make sure mom has plenty of food and water (you can even supplement her with a little puppy formula every couple of days) and hope for the best.
Good luck!!
Julie Pierce
Pierce's Pogs
http://www.piercespogs.com |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Kelly J
User
| Posts: 9 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/12 03:59
Thanks Julie. Admittedly I'm far more worried and anxious than I thought I'd be. I'm the girl that cries uncontrollably at Bambie, so I'm gonna have to toughen up I think
I'm doing everything you've said, and so far Fizzy seems really relaxed and happy to look after her babies. I don't intend to change a thing and fingers crossed nothing will stress her out in the foreseeable future. I Will offer her the puppy formula too.
Thanks so much
Kx
Kelly J xxx |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
CThogs
Admin
| Posts: 1514 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/12 06:12
Hi KellyJ-
It sounds like mom is doing fine. Give mom her space and try not to worry too much. Don't disrupt the nest because the moms are usually very protective of their nest. Read the articles here on breeding and babies if you haven't already and if you have more questions, let us know.
Bambi makes me cry too
Ann
Connecticut Hedgehogs
We had a great time at Hedgehog Fest 2008!!! |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
HamorHollow
Admin
| Posts: 2136 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/12 11:40
Hi Kelly J, I'm Kelly H.
My concern is that you said mom is close to 2 yrs old. It's better for hedgehogs to have their first litters before a year and a half and sometimes the hips will fuse and cause birthing problems if they haven't had a litter before then. But the fact that she made it through the birth is a good sign. My next concern would be that her milk remains adequate in nutrition and doesn't dry up. If you start seeing babies crawling out of the nest a lot or crying excessively, this could be the case.
Hopefully the babies will be fine, but keep your eyes and ears open. I would not bother the nest, but I would try to peek in without moving anything. If you hear happy baby chirps, leave everything be and don't disturb.
-K
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
Join us for Hedgehog Fest 2008
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
illinidairychic
User
| Posts: 230 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/12 13:32
HamorHollow wrote:
Hi Kelly J, I'm Kelly H.
My concern is that you said mom is close to 2 yrs old. It's better for hedgehogs to have their first litters before a year and a half and sometimes the hips will fuse and cause birthing problems if they haven't had a litter before then. But the fact that she made it through the birth is a good sign. My next concern would be that her milk remains adequate in nutrition and doesn't dry up. If you start seeing babies crawling out of the nest a lot or crying excessively, this could be the case.
Hopefully the babies will be fine, but keep your eyes and ears open. I would not bother the nest, but I would try to peek in without moving anything. If you hear happy baby chirps, leave everything be and don't disturb.
-K
I was thinking the same thing with the 2 year old hog!! We try to get everything bred here no later then 1 year.
It sounds like you are doing well. Just keep up with the patience and hopefully things will be good.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Julie Pierce
User
| Posts: 984 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/12 20:14
We are all pulling for you. You can also buy some raspberry leaf tea, brew a cup of it, let it cool and do a 50/50 mix with water in her water bottle. Add a little bit of sugar to sweeten it. This should help with her milk. Also like I mentionned earlier, a little bit of puppy formula every couple of days for the extra calories will also help her out. You can also add a small squirt of ferretvite in her food or the pup formula.
If the babies are not getting fed (either milk is gone or she is just not feeding them) then you will have to make the call on syringe feeding (which is a ton of work and not always successful) or better yet, find another breeder in the area that has a nursing mom that may be able to take on your babies as well. Hopefully it wont come to this, but just wanted to make you aware. Its always good as a breeder to know another breeder in the area so you can help eachother out in such instances.
Hopefully all will be fine. There really is only so much you can do so try to relax and dont make yourself too crazy over it. Take it one day at a time.
Good luck!
Julie Pierce
Pierce's Pogs
http://www.piercespogs.com |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Kelly J
User
| Posts: 9 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/14 03:13
I'd just like to thank everyone for the advice. While I've read whatever info I can get my hands on, it's always better to pick up advice in specific situations as they occur.
So far (almost 7 days on) there's still no sign of any abandoned babies, and no demanding squeaks which may suggest that they're not getting fed. As far as I can tell via observations during maintaining the cage and litter tray, all is well. The baby/babies (I still don't know how many is in the nest) only seem to squeak when Fizzgig comes out to feed before returning to the nest. I'm going to have a peak tomorrow when Fizzy is feeding. I'll bribe her with a few mealworms to keep her busy. I'll be sure to post my findings. She looked more like a beach ball than a hog towards the end of her pregnancy so there'll either be a few normal sized babies - or just one super-sized-monster-hoglet
Thanks for the food and supplement advice too. Again, you read about what to buy, but it's better to gain advice from breeders who've tried and tested the best products etc. I certainly hadn't heard of the Raspberry leaf tea for example.
As for her milk drying up, I've got an emergency feeder and milk on standby, but hopefully I wont need it. I also have a main breeder with over several years experience. She provided me with the stud-chog, and always has babies available, so could provide a foster mum at short notice I'm sure. Again, I'm hoping that wont be needed.
Thanks again everyone. I'm much less anxious now the first hurdle is almost over. Watch this space for baby info and pics.
Kx
Kelly J xxx |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
zorra578
User
| Posts: 404 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/14 06:38
Kelly J wrote:
She looked more like a beach ball than a hog towards the end of her pregnancy so there'll either be a few normal sized babies - or just one super-sized-monster-hoglet
hahahahaha I look forward to seeing your pics, I would love for there to be a monster hoglet!
Jessica
Des Plaines, IL
My critter list: Dilbert (welsh terrier), Bowser R.I.P. (betta fish), Quentin (hedgehog). |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Kelly J
User
| Posts: 9 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/14 15:11
Was cleaning out Fizzgigs bowls and adding some puppy food earlier when she came out to say hello. She's looking really great, and being amazingly calm given that she's just given birth. I looked terrible for at least three months after the birth of my son.
Anyway, with no signs of huffing or puffing I felt the time was right to have a very quick look. While I bribed her with a few mealworms at the other side of the cage, I quietly lifted the hatch and looked inside. To may astonishment there were four massive babies all asleep and cuddled together. Inside the nest box was immaculate so I guess Fizzy has OCD just like me She's a clean freak!
I was expecting one or two finely-spined, inch-long fragile little creatures, but they're just like mum - as fat as butter and rather robust looking. I'm so pleased. I know I'm not out of the woods yet, but seeing them looking so big and well has made me feel far more positive about their future.
I only took a 2.5 second peek because I didn't want to alarm Fizz, but after eating her meal and using her litter tray she just wandered back in at her leisure. I feel very priviledged to be allowed so close. I guess she must trust me more than I thought.
In a few days, when the time feels right I'll be sure to grab the camera and take some baby pics. I have a funy feeling that it will be the first of many (thousands.)
Right, I'm off to buy a bumper pack of photo albums 
Kx
Kelly J xxx |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
CandJ327
User
| Posts: 438 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/14 17:35
YAY for all the future pictures... it's the only reason i really come here  
Ava's mom!
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
aislinsadia
User
| Posts: 501 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/15 09:26
Congrats on all those babies! How wonderful!  I can't wait to see pics
*~*Steph*~*
Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittens), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), Aries & Artemis (fancy guppies), Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs), and Squiggles (Blue Mystery Snail) |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Julie Pierce
User
| Posts: 984 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/15 10:44
I am glad to hear that things are going well with your litter!
Julie Pierce
Pierce's Pogs
http://www.piercespogs.com |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
zorra578
User
| Posts: 404 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/15 10:59
I'm so happy to hear that things are going well! Too bad that there's no monster-hoglet though. hehe Looking forward to some baby pics!
Jessica
Des Plaines, IL
My critter list: Dilbert (welsh terrier), Bowser R.I.P. (betta fish), Quentin (hedgehog). |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Kelly J
User
| Posts: 9 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/19 11:31
Check out the little face on this cutie...
Kx
Kelly J xxx |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
aislinsadia
User
| Posts: 501 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/19 15:47
For some reason I can't see the picture
*~*Steph*~*
Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittens), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), Aries & Artemis (fancy guppies), Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs), and Squiggles (Blue Mystery Snail) |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
zorra578
User
| Posts: 404 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2007/12/19 15:50
Neither can I! I want to see some hoglets.
Jessica
Des Plaines, IL
My critter list: Dilbert (welsh terrier), Bowser R.I.P. (betta fish), Quentin (hedgehog). |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Kelly J
User
| Posts: 9 | |
|
Re:Can anyone put my mind at rest please? - 2008/01/22 06:39
Sorry it's been soooooo long since I've been on, but after a death in the family two days before Christmas, two bouts of flu and an operation, neddless to say I've been very busy.
I noticed that there's a problem with my uploaded pics, so I'll endeavour to sort that out today - they're all sooooo cute!
RE: Monster Hoglet? Well maybe there is. The biggest of the bunch is a male aptly named Brutas. He's like a little Christmas pudding and has ears the size of Dumbo. I guess he'll have to grow into the.
Sadly, I have had one baby very sick this week, but I was very very lucky to notice the problem early and act before it was too late. The vet says that there's still a 50/50 chance that she'll die
It just goes to show that even at six weeks you can't afford to get complacent.
I'll be posting about that later under a new topic, so should any other owner go through something similar, then it's easier to access the info.
All in all (aside from my overly worrying ways from day one) the whole process has been a wonderful experience. Fizzgigs happier still, to have back her wheel and her post pregnancy figure
Thanks again to eveyone for the advice...
Kelly J, Fizzgig, Cinnamon, Holly, Brutas and Tike xxxxxx
Kelly J xxx |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
|
Hedgehog Forums 