Hi.

We have a set of twins that got rejected. We have been putting them in with the parents for cleaning. The parents will clean them and then we remove them. Is this o.k. to do a lot? Will it confuse the parents? It seems like they are looking for them in their playroom. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />

as long as the parents are not hurting the joeys then it is ok.

Thanks for the reply.

We just took the little ones for another cleaning (after they eat and are messy)The parents cleaned them a bit and it looked like they tried stimulating them to go to the bathroom. But when we take them away they seem confused and look around for the babies. Is that going to affect the parents at all or hurt them even emotionally? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />

Feed the joeys only. Then... return the babies to the parents until it is feeding time. Feed and Return to parents. By doing this... the babies and the parents remain a family unit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

Hi Judie

I guess I didn't make it clear. They will clean the joeys then ignore them leaving them to get cold. I have to raise them but the parents clean them for me.

[:"green"]Angela,
I agree with you that you need to hand-raise these little guys. I think it is okay to allow the parents to clean/stimulate the joeys, but it may confuse them. It won't do any permanent emotional harm to the parents, just confuse them. Since they will ignore the joeys after cleaning them, maybe you could put the joeys in with them, then wait until they have started to ignore the joeys before pulling them back out again? I don't know if that would work or not <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> but if it would, it might be less confusing for the parents.
By the way, you're doing a fantastic job with those little guys! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />