[supercocoa]

Haider everyone! You guys might remember my topic from two weeks ago. My hedgehog Junie had babies one morning, much to my surprise. :shock: I was quite frantic at first, but now my entire family is enjoying raising these precious little babies. They're 16 days old now, and are on the verge of opening their eyes. I've been doing a bunch of research, but every time I get different answers, so I'd like to know, at what age should we start holding mommy and babies?

 

[nikki]

I usually wait till they are atleast 2 - 3 weeks old. When I first hold them I give mom a treat...pick up one baby..hold if for a few seconds then put it back. I then leave them alone till the next day. If mom was ok with me holding the one (ie. didn't freak out) I hold one for a few seconds longer. If after a few days of this mom is still ok I start to hold one or two for a little longer. I don't hold them for any long lengths of time till they are at least 4 weeks old. Sometimes, if its a small litter like you have, I will take mom and babies out at the same time when they are over 3 weeks old and hold them as a group for 15-20 minutes.

 

[supercocoa]

Oh, okay! Thanks a bunch for the advice! The babies are over two weeks now, but they don't have their eyes open just yet (even though it looks like they'll open them any day now). Is it okay to start holding?

 

[nikki]

yes it is ok to very slowly start holding them now. Just make sure to take it slow and watch mom's reaction.