I hope this goes in the right place. I wasn't sure where to put it in breeding because that's what it relates to, or general because that's what it is.
As most of you know, I'm from the UK.. and I'm trying to start up a UK sugar glider site. It will offer all types of information, pouches, toys, dishes, cages, email facilities in emergencies, message boards.. the works. I'm even working on a breeder database, because let's face it.. what's a 'fad' in America usually comes to the UK shortly, and 'gliders are already becoming popular here.
My main task at the minute is sifting through the good breeders, and the bad ones! It's a difficult task for one person to do, but I am trying.
My idea was to come up with a questionnaire asking all number of questions. Those who answered them to my expectations would get primary places at the top of the database, those who answered with good knowledge would get second places, and those who clearly don't know or care what they're doing would be rejected. Hopefully, this would at least keep 'glider buyers from purchasing off of £-makers and not the genuine owners.
I've got the following questions so far.. but they seem a bit general to me, and easily looked up online. Can anyone think of anymore to add??
Thanks for any ideas, guys. You're always such a great source of information!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" />

Sugar Glider Questions for breeders:

A. At what age do you seperate the joeys from the mother, and why at this age?:

B. Do you count it's age from when it is OOP [out of pouch] or when it first goes into the pouch?

C. What size cage do you keep your gliders in?:

D. How much HANDS ON human interaction do they get per day?:

E. Do they live in a colony, or in pairs?:

F. How long have you owned gliders, and how long have you been breeding them?:

G. What is their diet? Please list ALL edibles, apart from fruit and vegs?:

H. Please now list ALL the fruits and vegs you can think of that you feed them:

I. Do you use any calcium supplements? Which ones?:

J. Have you ever had any joey fatalities/cannabalisms? Did you ever find out why?:

K. How many 'glider deaths have you had whilst breeding? Do you know why?:

L. Name five things you look for in a buyer:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

M. What first attracted you to sugar gliders?

N. How many joeys/adults have you sold since you've been breeding? How do you normally advertise?:

O. Do you neuter your male joeys to prevent wanna-be breeders who are only in it for the money, or do you give them the option?:

Bump.. I know it wasn't posted long ago, but I have 3 breeders willing to take the questionaire waiting!
Any input would be very much appreciated.. I would LOVE to include questions from all glider owners, as I still am not one until August!

Thanks in advance!

One other thing I meant to add; a copy of the questionairre with it's completed answers from the breeder will be forwarded to anyone [with permission, which i'm going to write in a terms and conditions paragraph at the bottom] who's considering buying from them, so they know what they have to feed them and other traits such as the amount of time they'll need to spend bonding. So no personal questions! lol.
=)

I'm hoping to get this done by tomorrow evening, or at ABSOLUTE maximum, Friday. Again, cheers for any input!

Hello. On I. I would leave out the word calcium and just ask if they feed supplements? Which ones?: Also, whether or not they can provide pedigrees for their joeys listing the lineage?
Just a suggestion. The rest of the questions look pretty good though. Hopefully some of the actual breeders can add to this. Good luck!

Do you need any special liscensing in the UK like in the US? (USDA) Also, you may want to ask about vetrinary care, exotic vets who are Glider Savvy, emergency vet care ect.

Hi,
Here are my answers:

a. No sooner than 8 weeks because joeys should absolutely NOT be taken from Mom any sooner. 12 weeks is even better, because joey can still learn from parents, but joey can easily leave at 8 weeks, if it's thriving. If there is no buyer for the joey, I leave it with Mom until it reaches sexual maturity...when bald spot begins to appear for male, and around 4-4 1/2 months OOP for female.

b. OOP (out of pouch)

c. My gliders are housed in 2X2X5 cages (per pair or young family) unless traveling.

d. Because we have 6 pairs, we give each glider at least 15-20 min. daily, and the cages take turns having out-of-cage time for 1 1/2-2 hours, so that each cage gets at least that much out-of-cage time weekly. Not ideal, I know, but we sleep when our gliders are up. I carry a pair each day, taking turns daily between pairs -- this is bonding time, tho.

e. Pairs, primarily unless there are joeys

f. Owned since '99, breeding for 1 year

g. Daily fruit and veggies for all, BML for those cages that will eat it, Exotic Nutrition for one cage, and battling for 2 cages! They don't like anything (or any staple diet). Nuts, yogurt, applesauce, mealies as treats.

h. melons of all kinds, apple, cherries, grapes, kiwi, mango, papaya--for veggies, I stick to a frozen blend of peas/carrots/corn/string beans (no limas) and then add an extra bag of peas and an extra bag of string beans (french cut) to cut down on amount of corn.

i. I currently use rep-cal but am considering switching to vionate (because it's a calcium supplement for mammals)--the jury's still out as I continue to research this issue

j. Yes I have had fatalities (cannibalisms) and yes I know why.

k. I assume, since your last question was about joeys, you are referring to adult gliders. I've had 0 glider deaths while breeding.

l. 1. Glider knowledge
2. Previous ownership
3. Financial ability
4. vet (do they have one lined up)?
5. Young children or other pets?

m. My son became interested first, and we bought one for him--we didn't know ANYTHING about gliders. We all fell in love, and I began my research at that time.

n.We have sold 4 gliders since we started breeding one year ago. We advertise on breeder lists (on the net) and business cards...word of mouth. That's about it.

o. I don't have my male joeys neutered. I do educate prospective owners on the reproductive issues, tho. If they want a male neutered, I will take it to my vet, at the new owner's expense.

I really am not concerned with where I fall on a breeder list, but I saw this as a little quiz (which I simply couldn't resist). How'd I do?

Okay.. thanks Gizmosgal, I did that immediately, just never got a chance to post my gratitude. So cheers. =)
Kathy.. thanks for that great idea. I never thought of that, and asking them questions about their vet will also allow me to compile a regional list of glider experienced vet's much more easily. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />
Peggy, you'd be one of the ones on the top of the breeder list, lol. Although to be honest, I think most GC members would. Let me post you one of the replies I had from a breeder; I have permission to publish it however I want, but I'd like you to see the comparison between UK and USA knowledge on gliders. I know I'm a newbie myself, but thankfully I have you guys to learn from!
See what you think of this ...


A. At what age do you seperate the joeys from the mother, and why at this age?: I separate the Joey and mother at 4 months of age. The mothers deposit their joeys in the nest box at eight weeks old and continues to care for them afurther eight weeks in the nest box, until they start to make their own way around.


B. Do you count it's age from when it is OOP [out of pouch] or when it first goes into the pouch? I can only estimate their age at eight weeks when they have grown too large for the pouch and are left in the nest box.

C. What size cage do you keep your gliders in?: 8ft X 4ft
[I've seen his cage, it's beautiful.]

D. How much HANDS ON human interaction do they get per day?: As time allows most evenings I hand feed mealworms. [I don't really consider this hands on ... but .. still.]

E. Do they live in a colony, or in pairs?: Colony


F. How long have you owned gliders, and how long have you been breeding them?: 2yrs


G. What is their diet? Please list ALL edibles, apart from fruit and vegs?:
EMP egg food. (bird rearing food)
Frest fruits.
Fromaige frais.
Dried mixed fruits and nuts.
Lightly cooked minced chicken/turkey.
Honey or Maple Syrup.
Mealworms.
De-frost minced beef mixed with Bogena bird food.

H. Please now list ALL the fruits and vegs you can think of that you feed them: Sweetcorn-Apple-Pear-Banana-Orange-Mango-Strawberry-Grape-Cherry-Melon-Carro
t-Grapefruit-

I. Do you use any supplements? If yes, which ones?: No, none.

J. Have you ever had any joey fatalities/cannabalisms? Did you ever find out why?: No, so n/a.

K. How many 'glider deaths have you had whilst breeding? Do you know why?: None.

L. Name five things you look for in a buyer:
1.Someone who asks lots questions and shows some knowledge and understanding of what they are getting into.
2. Someone who doesn't expect me to contact them.
3.Who is free to talk over the telephone before settling a sale.
4. I sell at a fair price, and don't think people should quibble.
5. Won't sell to minors or teenagers - people who won't tell me their name.

M. What first attracted you to sugar gliders? I like unusual animals.

N. How many joeys/adults have you sold since you've been breeding? Three.

How do you normally advertise?: The internet.

O. Do you neuter your male joeys to prevent wanna-be breeders who are only in it for the money, or do you give them the option?:
No I don't offer to have the gliders neutered. I can usually tell about potential owners through conversation, so far I've been lucky and not met any wanna be breeders, or unsuitable purchasers.

P. Can you provide pedigrees for their joeys listing the lineage?:
Yes- (but only written and taken upon trust from me).

Q. Do you have small children that play with the gliders?: No- (they're not a childrens toy.

R. Do you offer a vetinary health certificate with your gliders?: No.

S. Do you offer any 'warranty'.. such as a 48 hour-after-purchase of the joey?:
So far I've not had to. I'm not a comercial breeder, and am not here for telephone or e-mail support. I awlays ensure the gliders are healthy and ensure people follow the diet that I give, advising to make any alterations gradually. I wouldn't sell a glider if I had any queries about the buyers ability to continue the care as it had already recieved.


Heh. This was the most pleasing reply I had back, although I thought his attitude toward helping new owners after the sale and attitude toward some things were a little rude. But heck, this questionnaire will be displayed next to his name whenever my site goes up anyways. So the buyers can make their own decision. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I will sort out the questions as regards the vet tonight, and ask him those also.
Seeing as the breeder list is an ongoing task, if anyone else has any input I'd be very grateful. Thanks once again!