In Reply to: Re: Surprise Joey posted by Pam on January 07, 19100 at 22:37:13:

: : You must have gotten the female and the joey was already inside! Make sure you feed her alot of food with protein so she won't abandon the joey. It sounds as if it might get abandoned if she left in a different place then went to sleep but I'm not completely sure. Just keep an eye on the joey and if it gets abandoned you'd have to care for it and feed it with a syringe. The father for a SG plays an important role when they have babies, the female could get very stressed out from all the work. So let your SG out to play while you care for the baby so she doesn't get stressed. Does the baby have fur yet? If I were you I'd contact the person you got her from and ask her/him if your SG had ever been with a male SG. I hope all my information is correct and will help you! Sorry I don't know alot but I want to help. Best of Luck!! :) :) :)

: :Thanks Jill. I am getting worried about her abandoning the joey. I have redecorated the cage and the joey is in the bird house with a thick flannel blanket and can't get out. I removed the cloth pouch and mom is in the bird house with the joey all the time now.I have a space heater here in the room so it is always 78°. I will feed extra protein to the mom. Your help is greatly appreciated. Pam

All of these things are good but you should still prepare for ou having to care for the joey. Find a leadbetters recipe and make sure you can make it on a moments notice. YOu should also get a dental irrigation syringe if you can. It has a hooked plastic "needle" on it. This makes for easy feeding compared to an eye dropper.

If you have to start manual feeding you must remember: You are force feeding. Young joeys will often fight feedings by us so it is a matter of forcing some nutrition down its throat. As much as you can (at this age about 2 CC's or less with a little of it being water) get the joey to take. Actually you might try the Leadbetters with the mom. This would give her an increase in vitamins and protien. I meant Leadbetters in addition to her regular diet.

I agree with Jill that giving the mom some good out time may help her attitude toward the baby. If she gets some exercise and attention she will be more likely to pay attention to her joey.

Once the joeys eye's open it will be easier to save. Keeping it warm and fed are your best chances.

Good luck and don't hesitate to shout if you have any questions.

Elwin

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