Joeys

Question

sampson and delilah   QUESTION: Hi,
Unfortunatly over the weekend we lost two newborn joeys.
Everything seemed to be going well with Delilah and we were sure the two babies would be oop within the week because they were practically hanging all the way out of her pouch.  I am meticulous about nutrition and was even hand feeding her extra protien to make sure she was getting it and it wasn't being gobbled up by Sampson ( who is about twice the size of her).  (they are around 10-11 months old)
Anyway Friday morning I saw Delilah on the bottom of the cage licking and nudgeing one of the joeys. He looked pretty hearty although maybe a few days early because he had little hair, but he was crying and it looked like she was try to get him to cling to her so she could get back in the nesting pouch. After about 5 minutes of this she seemed to be getting frustrated and I didn't want the joey to get cold so I gently picked them both up and placed them back in the polarfleece pouch. Both of my gliders are well bonded and and never bite or act aggressively. Anyway...
When my husband checked a little while later, both joeys were dead and they had torn them apart. It was just horrific.
 My question is,  did I do something wrong by putting them back in the pouch? I'm really kicking myself because I was completely prepared with a incubator and milk replacer etc in case of any problems because I knew she was young and from my research, knew she may reject or be unable to nourish the 2 joeys.  Should I have removed the joey?  Also, is it very likely that this will happen again?  I know it is hard to predict but honestly my kids (and I) have been in tears for days and if it is most likely that they will do this again I would just get the male neutered and spare all of us the heartache of it.  On the otherhand I would like to have a litter or two before neutering him, as was the plan just because I thought the whole process was a  facinating learning experience for my kids. we never had any intention of breeding to sell or anything like that.
Any advice would be helpful.
thanks, Lori

ANSWER: Hello Lori,

I am so sorry for your loss.  It is not uncommon for this to happen to first time parents.  It can happen for a variety of reasons, the most common being that there is something wrong with the joey.  I suspect this to be true in your case, since you found the joey at the bottom of the cage.  Don't feel guilty about putting the baby back into the pouch.  Rejected joeys have a good chance of surviving when put back with the parents, and a slim chance of surviving when hand-raised by a human.  Going with the odds, you did the right thing. From my experience, this does not happen with subsequent litters.  

I wish you the best with future joeys.  How old are your children?  It is exciting to watch joeys grow and develop.  I teach third grade, and bring the gliders to school on Fridays.  The students are always thrilled to see new babies.  We even saw the birth of a joey and its journey to the pouch.  Wow!  

Please keep me informed,

Betty

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QUESTION: thank you. My children are 15 and 9.  It was certainly exciting for all of us to watch the whole process. I am excited although nervous for next time and pray it goes better. one more quick question,  Do you recommend a different kind of nesting area other than a polarfleece pouch. I only ask because I wonder if we had seen aggressive behavior maybe we could at least have tried to save the other joey. Its hard to see whats going on in the pouch.
Thanks for your help

Answer
Your children are a good age for helping raise Sugar Gliders.  

I have always used fleece or some other soft fabric for a nesting pouch.  You could try something else, but normally they like to find some place cozy and private.  I've even had gliders dig through the middle of a ferret hammock to get in between the two layers.  You could try some kind of a tent with an opening in the front, or maybe one of those bird houses with a top that opens up.  I wouldn't use metal or plastic for a home.  You need to ensure that the enclosure is porous and will allow enough air for ventilation.  

Good luck.  Let me know how it goes.

Betty