GliderCENTRAL

Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!!

Posted By: kidqwik

Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/27/17 09:51 PM

Hey Everyone,

I have two sugar gliders coming home next weekend. They're 8 weeks old. I've read somewhere that you should leave them alone in the cage for two days without taking them out to get adjusted, etc. Should I do this or should you start the bonding process sooner?

Also, I live in NJ and keep my heat at night around 60 degrees. I've read it should be warmer, they'll be ok if I put pieces of fleece in their sleeping pouch, etc. Is this ok or should I get one of those warming lamps that doesn't light up and attach it to the cage top?

The owner of the pet store I'm them from has been very helpful and seems very knowledgeable about their care. She says as babies they should have the HPW Food with the Baby Premium Diet and apples along with the calcium etc etc. She also said they should have two sources of water for now, one in a bottle and the other in a bowl with some of it mixed with clear Pedialite. She said to stick with feeding them apples for the time being and when a little older I can add different fruits, etc. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Terry
Posted By: Hutch

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/27/17 11:26 PM

Originally Posted By: kidqwik
Hey Everyone,
Howdy!!

Originally Posted By: kidqwik
I have two sugar gliders coming home next weekend. They're 8 weeks old. I've read somewhere that you should leave them alone in the cage for two days without taking them out to get adjusted, etc. Should I do this or should you start the bonding process sooner?
Rule of thumb is to let them settle in & get use to the enviroment. The personalities of your two might indicated otherwise. You'll need to go at their pace through the whole bonding experience, so start feeling them out right away as they're doing the same with you. If they seem extremely interested right away, see how they react if you (*SLOWLY*) give them a small treat through the bars.

That said, I didn't wait. Mine refused to let me see if they were alright so we had our first 30min of bonding the first night. Then again, I did have to take a couple breaks from bonding to let them normalize. SO, goes back to, they control the pace.

Originally Posted By: kidqwik
Also, I live in NJ and keep my heat at night around 60 degrees. I've read it should be warmer, they'll be ok if I put pieces of fleece in their sleeping pouch, etc. Is this ok or should I get one of those warming lamps that doesn't light up and attach it to the cage top?
Due to the draftiness, crappy heating system, & low set-point I use to save on heating oil, my house gets down to 60 dF easily. They don't seem to care when active & just pile in together during the day. I leave several fleece cloths around the cage & they bring them in the pouch or toss them out as needed. Try not to let it get much colder than that, I would recommend. My will sleep a lot below that temp.

Originally Posted By: kidqwik
The owner of the pet store I'm them from has been very helpful and seems very knowledgeable about their care. She says as babies they should have the HPW Food with the Baby Premium Diet and apples along with the calcium etc etc. She also said they should have two sources of water for now, one in a bottle and the other in a bowl with some of it mixed with clear Pedialite. She said to stick with feeding them apples for the time being and when a little older I can add different fruits, etc. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Terry
That doesn't sound like a very good diet to me. There are several people talk about on here, including Critter Love (very popular, I'm switching to it), Lead Beaters, The Pet Glider, Sun Coast (I used for my furballs' first year), & more. You should see the word diet underlined in blue. If you click on it, the link will bring you to a lot more information. I've never heard of limiting foods due to age.

The main reason I'm personally switching is due to how tested & refined the Critter Love diet has become due to the efforts of its designer. Others have various reason for using it. The bottom line of every diet is this: if they won't eat it, it isn't right for your gliders.

I hope that gets your started. More people will come along after me to offer their greater experience & tips. Until then, welcome to Glider Central & remember: we love pictures!
Posted By: Feather

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/28/17 03:10 AM

Welcome to GliderCENTRAL!

Hutch has given you a lot of good information.

I would cover the cage on three sides with a fleece blanket, besides adding little fleece blankets to their sleeping pouch.

If you feel they are not warm enough a heat lamp outside of the cage will help, just make sure that they cannot reach the fixture, lamp or cord.
Posted By: Ladymagyver

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/28/17 11:48 AM

You have been given great advise! I'm just here to say:

:welcomegc:

Please keep us posted and if you have any other questions, please ask away!

PS, we love pics!
Posted By: Stef333

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/28/17 04:19 PM

Welcome to the wonderful world of being owned by gliders! My two joeys just came to me in October, so I'm still very new as well.

I'll repeat the advice that the babies are in charge. Your best strategy is to let them come to you, and be *very* slow and quiet whenever you're near them or their cage. I liked to sit still beside the cage and sing softly to my gliders in the beginning, so that they could get used to my voice and presence in a non-threatening way.

Good luck, and keep us posted once they arrive! smile
Posted By: mechnut450

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 02:50 PM

hey welcome I am Terry too lol. I live in
Delaware so depending on where your at I might be able to help if needed so can PM for my cell and I shall share it encase you need help or have questions, need nail trimmed and such.
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 08:36 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! The pet store person said we could take them home in one to two weeks. I said two weeks to play it safe. Next weekend will be two weeks. We went to visit them again yesterday and they seemed to grow a little bigger. We asked her if she thought they would be ok to leave their parents next weekend and go home with us. She said next weekend hopefully but we might have to bottle feed if we did. It would all depend on if they went out foraving on their own in their cage. They fit into our cuffed hands and are smaller than the older ones they have out on the sales floor. Im going to attach pictures. Anyone have any idea how old they are? Im guessing 7 weeks?
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 08:41 PM

Heres one

Attached picture Attach51861_20170129_121310.jpg
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 08:42 PM

Second pic

Attached picture Attach51862_20170129_121310.jpg
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 08:43 PM

Here's last one. Do they look old enough to go home n eat solid food next weekend?

Attached picture Attach51863_20170129_121310.jpg
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 08:45 PM

At the very least they should not leave their parents before eight weeks, and most breeders will keep until they are ten to twelve weeks.

They definitely need to be eating solids on their own before going to their new home.


Originally Posted By: Pet Store
She said next weekend hopefully but we might have to bottle feed if we did. It would all depend on if they went out foraving on their own in their cage.


Highlighted portion is concerning indeed. No joeys should ever have to be bottle fed when leaving parents shakehead

Foraging on their own - where are the parents? Parents are the ones who teach joeys what to eat and when it is time to eat solid food rather than nursing. Moms are the ones who wean the joeys.

Doesn't seem like this pet store owner/employee knows much about gliders.
Posted By: Hutch

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 10:07 PM

They're adorable!!

I can't foot-stomp what Karen said enough, it doesn't sound like the store is very informed. Try to find out when they were OOP & understand they shouldn't leave mama before 8 weeks at the earliest!
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 10:13 PM

Well, I missed the pictures. You must have been posting them when I was responding. They are as cute as can be, and from the looks of the first picture, tails are fluffed out. They should be eating on their own by now.
There should be no reason they need to be bottle fed at this point.

I would really push to know more about their Out of Pouch date before bringing them home.

Find out if they were born at the pet store or if someone brought the family there after the joeys were out of pouch. That might help determine their age.
Posted By: Feather

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/29/17 10:32 PM

I can't agree more with what Karen has told you. They do look good, nice bright eyes and fluffy tail.

The one has a little Ninja pose going.

Can't wait for more pictures and updates on your little ones.
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/30/17 02:45 AM

They are currently still in the cage with their parents and born at the pet store. They have quite a few breeding pairs in the back. I'll stop by tomorrow and ask about OOP date.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/30/17 03:31 PM

I'm really considering a heat lamp or a space heater for the room they're in. Do the heat lamps actually heat well and how long do the bulbs last? Leaving anything on 24/7 whose soul purpose is to make heat freaks me out thinking about fires etc lol. I could keep heat on 65 whole time I'm not home I guess but then there is gas bill to worry about. I always keep heat on 60 when not home or when sleeping. How what do u guys think is the best option?
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/30/17 03:35 PM

Oops that was me above. Logged me out i guess. Also should i make a glider kitchen now and i think theyd like the ball room basket too. Good ideas? Sorry for so many questions.
Posted By: Ladymagyver

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/30/17 03:45 PM

Heaters... I prefer infrared heaters. When we travel with our 5th wheel in winter, we use it as alternate heat (40 lb propane tank has a tendency to go empty at night). If you do a heat lamp, be sure all cords are away from cage, and there are choices for them to get away from it if it gets too warm.

Feather has a few more things to think about, since i do not use them. She has more experience.

You can make a kitchen now if you like. It could save you time once you get them. Because you will become enamored with their cuteness!
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/30/17 03:58 PM

Not knowing what stores you have in your area, I picked Amazon since they ship everywhere :yes: I have used this Patton Space Heater because it has an automatic thermostat, and it works very well for small to medium size areas.

If you were to cover three sides of their enclosure and set something like this in front of if, but not too close, this should give them plenty of extra heat.

The one I have has a hi/low setting for heat plus the thermostat. Once it reaches the temperature you set, it shuts itself off. If for some reason it gets knocked over, it also shuts off.

Personally, I don't like heat lamps. Once they are on, they're on. If for any reason they fall over, they don't shut off and there is the risk of a glider getting burned if they are able to reach the lamp. Just my opinion.
Posted By: Feather

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 01/31/17 10:08 PM

I like the Avitech bird warmers, here is the link: http://www.avitec.com/Cage-Heaters-AviTemp-Infrared-Heat-Panels-s/50.htm

These warmers hang outside of the cage, so the gliders can't get to them or the electrical cord.

Also covering the cage on three sides helps keep the heat in.

If you use any kind of heater or heat lamp do not use fleece to cover the cage. Fleece will melt just by touching the bulb of a heat lamp.
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/01/17 04:32 PM

Hi Feather,

These look really nice! How effective are they? They don't seem to be too hot or cost that much to operate and the fire risk seems low. Do you use these personally? I think a small would work nicely!

Terry
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/01/17 04:40 PM

Terry, Feather/Kim isn't on the board right now, but I do know she uses them herself.
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/01/17 07:02 PM

Hmm. I'll decide on the heater this weekend I guess. I'll be home Sat-Sun so the heat will be kept up if we do take them home. Supposed to pick them up Saturday but I'm not sure. The owner said they should be fine with me and my boyfriend because I'm so obsessive about their care and ask 100000 questions and sit in the pet store for over n hr with them.. Sigh. OCD me on Sugargliders it seems lol.

All the food I bought are the Exotic Nutrition stuff... The HPW, the Baby Glider Food, Glider Aide, Insectavore, bee pollen, eucalyptus powder, etc etc etc. Now I'm second guessing if this was a good idea and should do the BML diet. What does everyone think? What kind of wheat germ does everyone use? The salad part seems like the hardest part. Would you suggest the Critter Complete diet as the pellet portion of their food to keep in cage? Can someone post like a 5 day meal schedule for their gliders? I need to keep these kids happy!
Posted By: Feather

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/01/17 07:16 PM

Yes, I bought the for my parrots but have used them for my sugar gliders.

I hang two pouches in the cage, one near the heater and one away from the heater so they can choose. I always found them in the pouch near the heater.

When the landlord couldn't buy propane for several weeks in the winter I wrapped the cage with a cotton blanket and hung a thermometer in there. It was nice and toasty for them.

The hangers that come with it allow you to keep it from touching the cage, but that time I zip tied the heater right to the cage as there is enough of a space that they can't reach it.
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/01/17 07:25 PM

Originally Posted By: kidqwik

All the food I bought are the Exotic Nutrition stuff... The HPW, the Baby Glider Food, Glider Aide, Insectavore, bee pollen, eucalyptus powder, etc etc etc.

Exotic Nutrition would not be the recommended choice here.

Now I'm second guessing if this was a good idea and should do the BML diet. What does everyone think? What kind of wheat germ does everyone use? The salad part seems like the hardest part.

I think you may have the BML fruit/veggie list confused with Critterlove salad. BML has a very specific list for fruits and veggies.
Quote:
1 Tablespoon of fruits, (apples, grapes, watermellon, cantalope, melon, frozen pitted cherries and blueberries)
1 Tablespoon of veggies (corn, peas, carrots and green beans)


Would you suggest the Critter Complete diet as the pellet portion of their food to keep in cage?

The Critterlove brand does not have a pellet. Please see the Critterlove Diet Center for all the correct information.

Can someone post like a 5 day meal schedule for their gliders? I need to keep these kids happy!
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/01/17 07:48 PM

Hi Feather,

Thanks for the info! How warm does it make the cage or around the area of the pouches about? Can you notice the difference if you put your hand in the cage?
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/01/17 07:55 PM

Originally Posted By: KarenE
Originally Posted By: kidqwik

All the food I bought are the Exotic Nutrition stuff... The HPW, the Baby Glider Food, Glider Aide, Insectavore, bee pollen, eucalyptus powder, etc etc etc.

Exotic Nutrition would not be the recommended choice here.

Now I'm second guessing if this was a good idea and should do the BML diet. What does everyone think? What kind of wheat germ does everyone use? The salad part seems like the hardest part.

I think you may have the BML fruit/veggie list confused with Critterlove salad. BML has a very specific list for fruits and veggies.
Quote:
1 Tablespoon of fruits, (apples, grapes, watermellon, cantalope, melon, frozen pitted cherries and blueberries)
1 Tablespoon of veggies (corn, peas, carrots and green beans)


Would you suggest the Critter Complete diet as the pellet portion of their food to keep in cage?

The Critterlove brand does not have a pellet. Please see the Critterlove Diet Center for all the correct information.

Can someone post like a 5 day meal schedule for their gliders? I need to keep these kids happy!


Oops, yeah.. I confused the two. Do you think the BML or the Critter Love diet is better? Are you supposed to used Critter Love Complete alone or combine it with Critter Love Plus? Also, what about the calcium protein requirements? Are these all fine with Critter Love with the added eggs, etc? Sorry for 10000 questions.
Posted By: Feather

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/01/17 09:39 PM

Originally Posted By: kidqwik
Hi Feather,

Thanks for the info! How warm does it make the cage or around the area of the pouches about? Can you notice the difference if you put your hand in the cage?



Yes, you can tell the difference when you put your hand in there.

Originally Posted By: kidqwik
Originally Posted By: KarenE
Originally Posted By: kidqwik

All the food I bought are the Exotic Nutrition stuff... The HPW, the Baby Glider Food, Glider Aide, Insectavore, bee pollen, eucalyptus powder, etc etc etc.

Exotic Nutrition would not be the recommended choice here.

Now I'm second guessing if this was a good idea and should do the BML diet. What does everyone think? What kind of wheat germ does everyone use? The salad part seems like the hardest part.

I think you may have the BML fruit/veggie list confused with Critterlove salad. BML has a very specific list for fruits and veggies.
Quote:
1 Tablespoon of fruits, (apples, grapes, watermellon, cantalope, melon, frozen pitted cherries and blueberries)
1 Tablespoon of veggies (corn, peas, carrots and green beans)


Would you suggest the Critter Complete diet as the pellet portion of their food to keep in cage?

The Critterlove brand does not have a pellet. Please see the Critterlove Diet Center for all the correct information.

Can someone post like a 5 day meal schedule for their gliders? I need to keep these kids happy!


Oops, yeah.. I confused the two. Do you think the BML or the Critter Love diet is better? Are you supposed to used Critter Love Complete alone or combine it with Critter Love Plus? Also, what about the calcium protein requirements? Are these all fine with Critter Love with the added eggs, etc? Sorry for 10000 questions.


I myself use Critterlove diets. You choose either Critterlove Complete or Critterlove Plus for your staple and then use the fruit and vegetable salad mixtures on the Critterlove web site.
Posted By: joanneM

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/02/17 02:04 PM

I use BML because that's what they've been on since I got them but I also ordered a month supply of Critterlove plus to try. The Bml is very easy to make and the fruits and veggies aren't exotic so you can get them anywhere. I live in a very small town and we don't get things like papaya, so the Critterlove might be a bit harder for me to make the salads.
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/02/17 04:02 PM

Originally Posted By: joanneM
I use BML because that's what they've been on since I got them but I also ordered a month supply of Critterlove plus to try. The Bml is very easy to make and the fruits and veggies aren't exotic so you can get them anywhere. I live in a very small town and we don't get things like papaya, so the Critterlove might be a bit harder for me to make the salads.


Critterlove Salad Mix Page

On that page you will find there are four different mixes to choose from as will as a List of Substitutions for those items that may be hard to find or are seasonal. You need to read the entire page as well as each ingredient of each of the salad mixes including the substitution list before deciding it is too hard. If you ever have a Critterlove question, you can PM or e-mail Peggy directly for an answer.

HTH
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/02/17 11:14 PM

Originally Posted By: KarenE
Originally Posted By: joanneM
I use BML because that's what they've been on since I got them but I also ordered a month supply of Critterlove plus to try. The Bml is very easy to make and the fruits and veggies aren't exotic so you can get them anywhere. I live in a very small town and we don't get things like papaya, so the Critterlove might be a bit harder for me to make the salads.


Critterlove Salad Mix Page

On that page you will find there are four different mixes to choose from as will as a List of Substitutions for those items that may be hard to find or are seasonal. You need to read the entire page as well as each ingredient of each of the salad mixes including the substitution list before deciding it is too hard. If you ever have a Critterlove question, you can PM or e-mail Peggy directly for an answer.

HTH


Karen,

Thanks for the info! With the Critter Love Salads, are you supposed to choose 1 to use or make all 4 and alternate them nightly?
Posted By: joanneM

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/03/17 12:53 AM

I believe you can make 1 or 2. I bought the ingredients for 1 today and I made the Critterlove plus. Tomorrow I will make salad 4. I did find papaya for another salad but no bok Choy.
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/03/17 03:42 AM

Originally Posted By: kidqwik

Karen,

Thanks for the info! With the Critter Love Salads, are you supposed to choose 1 to use or make all 4 and alternate them nightly?


Originally Posted By: from Critterlove website
If you are feeding ANY of the Critter LoveŽ Staples, Critter LoveŽ Original, Critter LoveŽ Plus, Critter LoveŽ Complete & Critter LoveŽ Breeders Formula (all formerly known as HPW diets) they should be fed alongside one of our Critter LoveŽ salad mixtures.

Serving size is 2 Tablespoons (24g) per glider to be fed alongside your choice of a Critter LoveŽ staple.
​**Preparation instructions for salads located below.


Peggy, gives you four salads to choose from so you can alternate in case there are things you know for sure your glider/s does not like or possibly you cannot find in your area.

Some people like to make a couple of the mixes and keep the frozen so they can alternate them to give their gliders some variety.

It is really up to you since you know what your gliders prefer.
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/06/17 09:59 PM

Hey Everyone!

So we got our two little girls this weekend. I have a feeling they are 5 or 6 weeks old OOP at the moment though judging by their size, weight, and the way the look and act. They weren't quite sure when they were OOP at the pet store. That being said I was very afraid they wouldn't eat or drink when they got home. The sugar glider girl at the pet store said to watch if they poop and pee and I'm happy to say that since we got them Saturday they have no only been eating, but pooping and peeing.. All over us at times. :-) So that's good.

They definitely don't always want to come out of the pouches in the cage for bonding times sometimes, but other times they want to climb all over us and explore. And as for eating.. They LOVE apples. They can't get enough apples it seems. Right now I've been giving them more then the recommended here at there because I wanted them to stay hydrated and eat. Today I saw one actually went to one of the 3 water bowls in the cage that's mixed with water and clear pedialyte and was drinking from it. Along with the apples they've enjoyed the pieces of cantaloupe I put in.

So now that I know they're eating and drinking and are capable of doing these things I feel much more relieved. Here's my concerns at the moment. Both of them like the Exotic Nutrition Baby Glider food. They both go to that and nibble on that quite a bit. I know they're not supposed to eat dry food a lot but my main concern was they eat. Now that I know they can I want to cut down the dry food to less. They love the apples and can't get enough of them. I've made the BML formula, Exotic Nutrition HPW, and Critter Love Plus formula(not all together of course :-b) so I have all three batches of that in the freezer. The first night I made the EN HPW cause that's what they have in the store with their parents. I don't know if they even touched it tbh. Stuff doesn't smell like much to me. Yesterday I gave them the Critter Love Plus along with the #3 Salad. I saw one of them lick it a little bit in the bowl but not much and not for long before it went over to the salad bowl and went for the apples and cantaloupe mostly. I'm not sure which if any of the greens they ate. I haven't tried the BML on them with the vegetable and fruit suggestions because tbh, the Critter Love Plus mix smells soooo good lol! Here's a pic of all the stuff I bought.. Way too much, but I wanted to make sure there would be options for them if they didn't eat one thing or the other. Also a few pics of them. :-b Should I stick with the Critter Love plan with a little of the EN Baby glider food? Should I give them as many thin apple slices as they want for now until they gain more weight?

Terry

Attached picture 5.jpg
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/06/17 09:59 PM

Pic 1

Attached picture 2.jpg
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/06/17 10:00 PM

Pic 2

Attached picture 3.jpg
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/06/17 10:00 PM

Pic 3

Attached picture 1.jpg
Posted By: Hutch

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/06/17 10:12 PM

Such cuties!
Posted By: Stef333

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/07/17 03:23 PM

Such sweet babies! It sounds like you're off to a great start with offering lots of options, and watching them closely to see what they like. Thanks for the pics. smile
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/07/17 04:09 PM

So cute. I know you are so excited.
Posted By: Feather

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/07/17 04:20 PM

mlove
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/07/17 10:05 PM

Originally Posted By: KarenE
So cute. I know you are so excited.


I'me totally excited and now relieved at the same time since they're eating lol. I weighed them on Sat and Sun and they each weighed 25g. Today I weighed them again and one was 27g and the other I think 29g. Both seem to have gained weight. On doesn't have the cracks in the fur so much and almost seems to have plumped up. The other one still has the cracked fur a little and weights 27g but omg, she lives at the dry food thing. She was eating a lot of it today for like an hour. So I'm going to put even less dry food in, but I'm afraid she'll end up eating it all before the other one will get a chance to touch it. Is it alarming to have them gain 4g in like 3-4 days?
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/08/17 03:44 PM

Originally Posted By: kidqwik
Hey Everyone!
So now that I know they're eating and drinking and are capable of doing these things I feel much more relieved. Here's my concerns at the moment. Both of them like the Exotic Nutrition Baby Glider food. They both go to that and nibble on that quite a bit. I know they're not supposed to eat dry food a lot but my main concern was they eat. Now that I know they can I want to cut down the dry food to less. They love the apples and can't get enough of them. I've made the BML formula, Exotic Nutrition HPW, and Critter Love Plus formula(not all together of course :-b) so I have all three batches of that in the freezer. The first night I made the EN HPW cause that's what they have in the store with their parents. I don't know if they even touched it tbh. Stuff doesn't smell like much to me. Yesterday I gave them the Critter Love Plus along with the #3 Salad. I saw one of them lick it a little bit in the bowl but not much and not for long before it went over to the salad bowl and went for the apples and cantaloupe mostly. I'm not sure which if any of the greens they ate. I haven't tried the BML on them with the vegetable and fruit suggestions because tbh, the Critter Love Plus mix smells soooo good lol! Here's a pic of all the stuff I bought.. Way too much, but I wanted to make sure there would be options for them if they didn't eat one thing or the other. Also a few pics of them. :-b Should I stick with the Critter Love plan with a little of the EN Baby glider food? Should I give them as many thin apple slices as they want for now until they gain more weight?

Terry


Morning Terry,
Well you certainly prepared for these little ones, didn't you smile Most times we see new glider parents who are not prepared for feeding their gliders. Not you, huh rofl

If I may, let's talk about this. You have feeding plan choices, only two of which most of us here would recommend. Those would be the BML and Critterlove. Exotic Nutrition HPW is a simply knock off of the Critterlove product. You have the best with the Critterlove.

These little guys are so young, and you need to guide them rather than just letting them make the choice in what they will eat (unless they absolutely refuse). Pick one a feeding plan and stick with it rather than switching around.

Critterlove does make a Complete where all you add is water. Makes it very easy for you, however, you already have the Critterlove Plus, so may as well use that. Don't worry if they don't eat some of everything each night from the salad. They will eat what they need and may choose something else other nights. Just don't overwhelm them with portion size.

As for the pellets, not all gliders like pellets. Possibly one of yours does, and one doesn't. I would also limit how many of these you put in the cage for daytime snacking. If they fill up on pellets, they will be less likely to finish their meal. Try taking the pellets out when you put their meal in.

Hope this has helped.
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/15/17 01:25 AM

Hi everyone! So the babies are doing well I think. Kara is up to 35g and Karou is now 30g. Karou is just a little smaller and lighter than Kara but I'm attributing this hopefully due to her use of the wheel. She loves the wheel at night! Kara, on the other hand, I haven't seen using the wheel just yet.

They both have been eating their Critter Love Plus mix every night. I can't say the same for the Salad 3 mix. They don't seem to like the defrosted mix when it melts. Since the batch I made for 5 days finally is finally almost finished I decided to put some fresh veggies and fruits and not freeze them to see how this works. I think they take the kale and bok choy and are eating some of it because it falls in between the bars at various parts of the cage away from their baby dish. They don't seem have to have touched the green beans(frozen or fresh) or peas. They nibble on the cantaloupe some nights and not others. Same with the blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. The apple they are now ignoring in the mix even if fresh but will eat it if in the pouch or curled up in my hand.

They both like some of the dry food. I put a few pieces of each of the sample packs of the Happy Glider mixes I got in with the Exotic Nutrition Baby Glider pellets. I haven't figured out which they like because there are some kinds left when I get home and others all gone. I guess I should be trying one kind a night. :-) They didn't touch the dry food when I sprinkled a little of the eucalyptus powder in it. I also have the Blueberry Fortifier Complete Vitamins and Calcium which I sprinkle on apples once a week and they seem to still eat them. Should I be mixing a little of this with the Critter Love Plus or doing this more than once a week? I'm afraid they're not getting enough calcium but are getting enough "food" to eat as per say. It's hard to judge since they are being picky about the salad. Also, they love the Caramel Apple treats from Happy Glider. I give them one a day from hand as a treat and they'll sit in my hand when they calm down and gobble it up.

Kara at first was the one that wouldn't sit still. She'd climb all over me and wouldn't calm down. Now I can get her to curl up in my hand and sleep. She still crabs the most in the pouch. Karou will crab too, but not as much and will let you hold her. She's always seems afraid though and wanting to run around(complete reversal from the two when we first go them). When she's in my hand with Kara she usually tried to hide under Kara and will bite my hand here and there. I do the Tsst and she'll stop. My BF says it seems like Kara is always trying to protect Karou the ways she crabs in the pouch. No idea lol. Any tips or suggestions with food and bonding? Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Attached picture IMG_12081_20170209_115439-picsay2.jpg
Posted By: Terry

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/15/17 02:55 AM

Congratulations!!! They are lovely!!!

I wouldn't worry about size, they'll all different. If you do get concerned then you may consider a check up.

I also don't recommend adding any supplements, that changes the diet's formulation and then it isn't the diet anymore, but something else. Critter Love is precisely formulated to provide nutrients needed in accordance with current information on diets.

As far as fruit and veggie, they will pick and choose, and may eat some things one day and not another, that's normal.

When I first got Happy Glider pellets, I got the sample packs also. I did offer a different pellet (all one flavor) each night so I could note which were preferred. My trio all seemed to eat the fruit flavored, so that's the one I get for them.
Posted By: Ladymagyver

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/15/17 03:53 AM

Adorable pic! :lshower:
Posted By: Stef333

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 02/15/17 03:00 PM

Such sweet little faces! Thanks for sharing the pic. smile
Posted By: kidqwik

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 03/01/17 05:46 PM

Hey Everyone,

Here's an updated pic of Lilo and Kara sleeping in my hands the other day. They've both doubled in weight since we got them at the beginning of February. Kara was 47g the other day and Lilo(previously known as Karou, my BF can't stick with a name it seems) was 43. Up from the 25g they each were when we got them. They love their Critter Love Mix and run all over the cage tackling each other, then to the wheel, then back to have more Critter Love at night. They still love their apples fed to them or in the pouch and barely touch the fruits and vegetables in the tray next to the Critter Love. Last night though they seems to go for the Blackberries and Blueberries and had some Kale. They get a mealie worm or two here and there. I don't feed them more and do it some days and not others.

Lilo this morning went to the bottom of the cage and reached through the bars and grabbed a piece of the recycled newspaper pellets and starting eating it. I was like no no no!!! I'm not sure she wanted it because it had some food debris on it or what. They had some hard food pellets in the cage (Exotic Nutrition Baby Glider Food mixed with a few pieces of Happy Glider pellets). It kinds of freaked me out because she shouldn't be eating that. Should I worry? I added some Insectavore to a dish and threw some apples and one of those little cheerio Happy Glider treats into their pouch as I was leaving for work. Anything to not have her eat the cage litter. I know they eat and all and they get ample amount of food, but... Ugh. Eating the cage litter?? This is the first time I saw this happen.

Attached picture Lilo&KaraLove.jpg
Posted By: Hutch

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 03/01/17 06:45 PM

Okay, it should be illegal for anything to be that adorable!!
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 03/02/17 03:23 PM

Originally Posted By: Hutch
Okay, it should be illegal for anything to be that adorable!!
agree
Posted By: Stef333

Re: Newbie here! 2 babies next week!!! - 03/02/17 03:25 PM

Oh, such sweet sleeping babies! Thanks for sharing. smile
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