My mom raises and shows dogs for aliving and her newest litter is being introduced to solid food soon. This made me wonder if the same is necessary for gliders? This is my first joey so I have a lot of questions. Should I try feeding it BML? Baby cereal? Or will nature take over and will it start eating "real" food when its ready?
Oh, by the way..the joey is just under 4 weeks OOP.

I usually start hand-feeding the joeys small amounts of BML during the day when they're about 5 weeks old. It's not really necessary, though, as Mom and Dad will teach them to eat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

If left along...babies around five weeks oop. will venture out to the food dishes in the wee hours of the morning while still suckeling off of mom. This is such a cute age...as they try to do so without being seen. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Usually by seven weeks oop. babies are weaned and are independent so to speak.

At eight weeks...most are ready to go to their new homes.

Occassionaly one will lag behind still nursing from mom and going to the food dishes as well....till 9 weeks oop. or so. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

I just spotted some of mine at the food bowls today and they're just about 5 weeks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's always cute to see them getting their first taste of real food. Mine always try to be sneaky about it at first too!