Hi all! I have just gotten my USDA license and now have 2 female jeoys that were OOP May 6. Both are just now comming out and trying BML. My question is at what age should I sell my beautiful babies and what steps do you guys usually go through before sending them out of the nest? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

8 weeks oop is the minimum selling age. I usually seperate them into a cage a few days before they turn 8 weeks to make sure they are eating ok and pottying ok. If they arent, I put them back in with the parents another week. I then at that time try it again. I keep doing this until I'm sure they are ready for their new homes.

Thanks for the input! Looks like I have a few more weeks then. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />

Hi Trina!
Well I would try and get as much info on your babies as possible...like there parents history andeverything, also calculate the exact OOP date so you know there exact birth. The minimum should be 8 weeks, like jaderose said, but sometimes it can be longer, it really depends on the glider...Ihave such a soft heart that I always end up letting the joey stay in with momma for about 12 weeks or so <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" /> great questions, girl! And congrats on getting yoru license! Im USDA Pending, so I still have the long, nervous wait for the first inspection! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />

Many of my joeys are out and about at 4-5 weeks of age, but still nursing til 7 weeks of age. When I see them eating regularly and moving around the cage a lot on thier own, I begin to look for weaning signs. I have observed mothers running away from their 7-9 week old joeys, kicking them out of the family pouch (I always keep one or two extra in the cage) and the joeys barking for mom. When she has done these things, and the joeys have barked for one night solid ("Come on, Mom, I don't want to eat real food, I want MILK!!") and they are past the 8 week mark then I know they are ready to move them to the nursery. I keep my joeys in the nursery for 5-14 days after weaning, as Jade said, to watch stool and eating habits to make sure they are good to go. As a new breeder, you have other considerations too--how are you going to screen your clients? Do you have a listing of the vets in your area to pass to your clients, how long are you going to train your clients, when will you start them bonding with their joeys. . . sorry, I just gave you more questions, huh? Here are some tips for breeders just starting out! Breeder's Bungalow It is being revamped, but all the questionnaires and tracking sheets are functional! Congrats on your USDA license!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wow! Thanks everyone for the great info and link. I like the idea of the owner screening and worksheets. Looks like I've got a lot to learn. I'm so glad I've found this board. You guys are great. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />