hand rearing kits

[jenksi87 3]

any of you guys out there that can help me? just come back from the vets, had to have my jill p.t.s through heatstroke.

hutch is in shade, but due to being at the hospital all day with the little lad i didnt put there ice tubs in.

my other jill and my hob are both fine, so that its a combination of todays wether and having 10 kits to rear thats done it.

gutted's an understatement !

ive now got 10 kits to try and hand rear. i suppose giving them a chance is better than not.

i know the basics to it through what i have read but if anybody could give some advise through any past experiences of doing it i would really appreciate it.

i.e;

 

what to use to feed?

how often to feed them?

how much will they drink at a time

is there anything else to do? e.t.c.

 

this is my first experience of this happening, so everything is new to me.

 

the kits are 21days/3weeks old. there teeth are just starting to come through but there not eating yet. they still have there eyes closed.

 

i am using lactose free puppy milk from a whelping kit at the minute for them and between 10kitts they drank around 20ml

 

 

any help guys would be much appreciated

 

and please, no comments on knocking them on the head, this was my first reaction but with there age i think they may just have a chance

[lorelei0922 2]

at 3 weeks you can offer meat.. it might be best to either move them indoors or in with another jill as they'll need tending still.

 

a bowl of ferret kibble soaked with boiling water and left to cool will turn into a good mush for them and if you add a lil extra water it will help keep them hydrated

 

chicken and rabbit are easy to suck and chew as first foods especially if you mince it or chop it a bit so that they can get to the juicy bits.

 

make sure they are toileting.. intil around 3 weeks the jill will be licking their bottoms to make them go.. usually as soon as they start eating food and sometimes just before they start going on their own. If they aren't you'll want to wipe their bottom with a bit of wet cotton after feeding until they do go.

 

they will probably cry for mum a bit . a small stuffy toy sometimes helps that again it would be best if you have a jill who can mother them..even if she doesn't have milk she can do the cleaning and keep them warm at night. Otherwise a warm water bottle at night and a warm fleece can help

good luck!!!

[jenksi87 3]

cheers.i'm feeding them on whelpi powder mix at the minute, with a little single cream in to raise the fat content and small offerings of mince meat.

i have been feeding each one, then leaving them when i have fed them all i give it ten minutes before making them go to the toilet. its taking the best part of an hour to do. i just hope all goes well.

anyway, fingers crossed, just have to see what happens

[ferretertom 7]

Try smashing up some tinned cat meat and put them all around it.