In Reply to: What if Glider is pregnat? posted by Tammy on March 16, 1999 at 15:47:59:

: I've never had babies before and Zippie & Zena have been mating recently quit often. I have a few concerns.

: (1) I take them with me every where I go.
: Is this a problem if Zena is pregnant? Should she be left at home? I don't want her to lose her baby if she is. I don't want to leave her home alone if I don't have to, because they are use to being with me. I was wondering if it can effect the baby trying to get to the pouch also?

Just be real careful with her. Bumping, jostling, bad weather, and any number of other variable outside Zena's cage could cause a miscarriage, as could an unbalanced diet.

: (2) If she is pregnat do I need nesting box or is just having a pouch okay? Right know all we have is pouches.

A pouch for now is okay, but I would recommend a nesting box of somekind with a BIG hole in it by the time she starts showing. The more preggers she is, the harder she may find it to get in and out and comfortable in a pouch.
In addition, a nesting box on the cage floor makes it easier for Mom and Dad to care for the babies, and for the babies to get in and out of without you having to worry about a long, sometimes dangerous, drop to the cage floor.

: There have been some wonderful ideas for nesting boxes
a 1/2gal opaque plastic icecream container
an empty cookie dough bucket
: an empty (well cleaned) baby wipes box
: an upside down clay flower pot with a hole cut in the side, and set on the clay plate that goes with it
Finch nesting boxes

Wood nesting boxes should NOT be treated with paint or varnishes. This situation will (unfortunately) allow urine to be absorded and the box will REEEEEEK because it cant evaporate as fast as its being soaked. Never fear, a few days outside in the sunshine and fresh air will clean it up -- so if you opt for wood, better get a few backups.

Plastic is easier to clean and wont absorb moisture. But the non-absorbtion factor can be a problem if the box isnt well ventilated. The gliders respiration and urine mixed with their body heat becomes a stinky condensation inside the box. This could create a haven for bacteria or cause your gliders to catch a chill or develop a respirtory problem.

The clay pot absorbs moisture and allows evaporation to take place fairly rapidly, so odor isnt a real problem here. But getting to your gliders can be a pain. Instead of just lifting a lid, you gotta take of the whole pot, leaving everybody exposed and fallin' all over the place.

I've tried all three boxes and use the pouches

Follow Ups:

• Re: What if Glider is pregnat? kris and Java )i( 22:21:23 3/17/99 (0)