In Reply to: Re: Handling Joeys posted by Virginia on December 30, 1999 at 08:12:31:

I have 2 sets of unfriendly parents. I have found a cool way to get my joeys out and not disturb the parents. I put a bird nest box on the outside of the cage, used a tie wrap to hold it in place and cut a small hole for them to go in and out. They loved it and moved joey in right away. Then when they all go out to eat I slip a card between the cage and the box. No more access to baby, no bit fingers and I just open box lid and get my babies. Of course the little ones crab at me a little at first but they get used to me and so do the parents. Now no one minds this routine at all. =)

Good luck and have fun. My joey's have all turned out sweet and cuddly inspite of the parents.

Patty

: Go in and try to get the joeys during the day when the parents are groggy! It is important to handle them if you want to have tame babies!!! I started handling my joeys on their first day OOP and they are very sweet! I'm glad I did!

: : I have a little bit of a problem here...
: : Joeys are about 10 days OOP and I would like to start handling them now. Their Parents are not yet tame and the mother is very, VERY protective about her little ones. I tried to remove them gently during daytime -- her mother bit me (she never has bitten me before); I tried to remove them while distracting mother glider -- daddy came running and bit me....
: : So, besides having cool glider piercings I did not even touch the joeys. Now I´m wondering wether it is more important to handle the joeys, get them used to me or to let the little family alone. After all, the parents are not fully tame and I am a little bit afraid the joeys will adopt their parents somewhat remote behaviour.
: : Any Tips??

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