Hi there! First time parent here. Our 2 boys will be arriving soon and I’ve seen various reports on how to handle the integration into their new home. I’ve seen some say wait (1, or 2, or 3) days before trying to hold them to let them get used to all the new smells and their new home and I’ve seen others say start holding them immediately. What do you think works best and causes the least amount of stress?
Thanks!!!!

Hi! And.

I wouldn't try to hold them right away unless the breeder has been handling them daily on a regular basis already.

Are you picking them up from a breeder? If so take some fleece cut up into 4" squares, rub your scent on them or sleep with them under your pillow and place them in the sleeping pouch as Soon as possible. This will assure your scent, and help with the transition.

Gliders by nature don't really care to be held and if they haven't been handled much, it will stress them, especially in a new environment.

Two of mine are 4.5 years old, weren't handled as Joey's and only tolerate being held. My third glider is 11 months old and I was told he flew out of the pouch when he came out and he still hasn't slowed down... He's a good boy, he sits on my shoulder and doesn't jump off unless I prompt him to or hubby is in the room. But to hold him in my hand is practically impossible. He is Speedy Gonzalez and the Road Runner all wrapped into a sleek slippery body thats hard to hold on to.

Yeah, I would wait and let them get used to your scent. Talk with them, maybe hand feed them treats but do not do too much for the first couple of days. Go with what your gliders seem okay with.

Most gliders do not like being hand held. They prefer to be moving. I am still pretty new but Elric, my most gregarious glider, thinks of me as a climbing tree. He will sit still on my shoulder, head, or back when I am moving or when he gets food but that is about it. Having food is the only time he does not mind getting petted either. I do have him trained to where I just stick my arm in the cage and he hops on. Working on getting his brother to do the same. One of my girls still crabs whenever I come near their pouch if she is in it but will eat out of my hand. All gliders have different tolerances.

Ah thanks everyone! I kind of thought it made more sense to let their individual personalities be the guide. Thanks for the fleece tip too! I actually bought some fleece so that’s perfect! Ok so we’ll just let them get used to everything and take it slow 😊

You are welcome!!!

What I personally did with mine was the fleece trick. But I would just take thier whole pouch out of the cage and hold the pouch on my lap and I'd have loads of treats (usually apple slices, yogurt drops) and of course they wake up and crab but I offer a treat and that usually calms them down, I also make the treats tiny so i have lots of opportunities to give them one. And then once they are calmed down I will just put my hand in the pouch till they fall asleep. And then the petting begins. Also, i never forced mine to come out and play, if they are awake in the cage i offer them a treat but i dont chase them around with it. I have found one sibling is usually more curious than the other and will be on your hand and exploring you sooner. I just take it at thier pace
Oh! I did leave all mine alone for one full day/night but not the 3 days some people recommend. Just follow your best instincts and what the gliders are showing you they are comfortable with. Mine were all handled a lot by the guy I got them from so I felt comfortable taking them out after a day

A little white feather lured Zyzz out of his bonding pouch and onto my hand the first day. We've had them for 6 days now, yesterday was the first day in the pouch on me. We had them sent to us from TPG. They interact with their gliders a lot so mine aren't super u trusting of people. The second night I had them, I was reaching in to give a snack and he ran up my arm. Lol. Have fun with your little ones. I can't wait to get more already.

sounds like things are working out just fine so far. Keep spending time with them on a regular basis. You really got lucky! Congratulations on your first pair!

Just one thing to add!! Each glider has different personalities I can hold diablo all day in my hands but Tyrese and can only hold a short amount of time before he is ready to go back in my pocket or back in the cage. So like everyone says be patient and you will learn their personalities.