When can you start handling joeys.

When they come out OOP. Just ease into it. Only hold them for a minute or so for the first few days and if you see mom and dad fussing, put them back in there so they know you will give them back. Keep in mind that they cannot retain their own body heat so you have to keep them warm.

You can slowly handle them more as they get older.

From my readings and my experience, you should wait until they open their eyes to start handling the first ones from a particular pair. After that, they will start to trust you more, and might even start droping them off in your shirt or hands, so you can "baby sit" them as they go out and play. One of our couples do that.

I got 2 orphaned joeys at 6 days OOP and neither had their eyes open. Neither of them had their eyes open till a little after 2 weeks. They do not open eyes till about 2 weeks give or take. I handled mine with no problems and they were able to get my scent. They learned to trust me and when they opened their eyes they weren't too scared of the big monster. LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I say that it depends on the parents... Some glider parents don't care if you handle their joeys right away, others don't like their joeys to be touched at all, so it's best to wait until they are a little older... Just try and read that parents and avoid stressing them.

My gliders got pregnant soon after I got them. I was not completely bonded with them when they had their babies so I took it slow. At about day 2-3 OOP I picked up a baby for about 30 sec. I just gradually worked it up from there. The babies really like it if you wash your hands with hot water first and then when you hold them, it keeps them warm. Now they are about a week OOP and I hold them for about 10 minutes and mom & dad don't mind at all. After I hold them every time I give mom and dad a treat and make sure they go back in the nest box to their babies.

thanks.

I wash my hands with soap and HOT water too! YAY! I make my boyfriend do it to b/c sometimes they will try finding a nipple on your hand and you don't want them sucking on your dirty germ infested hands. LOL