We have babies

[ste6]

I have seen 2 babies in the nest today. First found them at the weekend.  Having seen her out and about every day I didnt think she had had babies, she didnt really get big and apart from chasing Bob whenever he annoyed her she didnt really have any other signs. I thought Skip was pregnant and thought she was due around 23rd may because I had seen them together on 22nd April and then started noticing her aggresive behavior after that. She is naturally very shy so not really ever been able to check her other than quick glances as she runs away.
So a week after she was due I decided to take a nervous look inside the nest box. I opened the top of the box and moved the hay and Skip shot out as she always does. Then I noticed the hay wrigglin! Moving some more hay away revealed that I had babies but I was too nervous of upsetting Skip to take them out or expose them too much.
Now on my third inspection of the nest (much less nervous now) I found 2 babies, they were laid on their backs wrigglin about, pretty sure I have 1 boy and 1 girl but will wait until their bigger to confirm that.
I wanted to ask what age do people think the babies are, and am I doing the right thing only spending a couple of minutes a day looking in the box or is it ok to get the babies out now?

[jane]

congrates they look to be about 2wks

[Sarah-Jane]

  ooooh love them congrats xx

[jennyb]

Congratulations ste6 

[kittycat2808]

Congratulations 

[ste6]

Got another good picture today so thought I would share it.

[Kayoneii]

Aww what little cuties!!  Congratulations 

[judyw]

     Congratulations       
 

[ste6]

Hi, I handled the babies for the first time today. I have 2 boys not one of each as first thought. I am still very concerned about the mother Skip, as she is very nervous and was hiding in a tube when i went in, and was making some worrying chirps when I looked down the tube to talk to her. I hope she continues to look after the babies as she's done well with them so far.


On a slightly different topic when would people advise I add my inside chippy to the aviary, I have avoided doing so since I got her because I was concerned how Skip would react while she was pregnant, and Skip still seems to want to chase Bob whenever he comes too close.

[jennyb]

On a slightly different topic when would people advise I add my inside chippy to the aviary, I have avoided doing so since I got her because I was concerned how Skip would react while she was pregnant, and Skip still seems to want to chase Bob whenever he comes too close.

Hi Ste, they look very cute, great pics. If i was you i wouldn't introduce a new chippie to the aviary while Skip has her babies. If Skip is chasing the male around she would most likely do the same to the new chip and it could cause her stress, also the new chip might injure/kill the babies. It would be best to wait until the babies go to new homes, thats my opinion others might think different. I just think it might be a risk to the new babies.

[ste6]

that was what i thought. Don't want to put any of the chips in danger.

[DayleC]

I'm with Jenny.....Another Chippy is not a good idea at the moment.......

[DaveB]

Hi Ste

a belated congratulations 

and good luck. Pics are great!

[Sam_Spice]

  Congratulations!

[ste6]

Babies are doing really well, eyes open and crawling and climbing.
Think they are around 4 1/2 or 5 weeks, would anyone else be able to confirm their age?
1 of the babies (baby 2) appears to have ginger markings and lighter stripes, although dont think he's a true cinnamon but could be a carrier as I think the dad is a carrier or certainly a more ginger agouti.
Also put on a picture of mum, Skip and dad, Bob. Mum seems to have settled down now and isn't chasing Bob so much.