How soon to babyproof?

[moosey2002]

So I bought a Piggie at the pet store a few weeks, and it turns out she was pregnant. I just built this C&C Cage that is 2x3 with a 1x3 2nd level w/ramp. Ive never had GP babies before...Im assuming from what Im reading here that they are pretty much "up and running" as soon as they are born, is this correct? Im just wondering how much time I have left to babyproof this cage, or if they come before I get it babyproofed if it will be a huge danger? I have no idea when she is due, but the vet I talked to today said from what I have described to him, she is most likey due anytime now. I have no extra cubes, fleece or coroplast, but I can get cardboard as a temporary set up (as long as the two grown ups dont chew on it!) Im thinking Ill stop at get Chicken wire tomrrow morning, but Im really concerned that they may be born by then already and dont want anyone to get hurt or get out of the cage. DO they have any downtime at all after they are born or are they really out and about right away?

[SurfingPigs]

Yes, they are born ready to go. Both my sets of foster babies were sampling veggies within about 18 hours of birth.

You can use cardboard to babyproof, that is what I would do.

[moosey2002]

Yes, they are born ready to go. Both my sets of foster babies were sampling veggies within about 18 hours of birth.

You can use cardboard to babyproof, that is what I would do.

My only conern with cardboard is that it will make it really hard to actually see in the cage, and I dont want my kids climbing over to look down into it and fall on it or something crazy like that. I think Ill put the cardboard in when I get home tonight as a temporary though, thanks!

[bpatters]

They're up and running almost immediately. They'll be a little clumsy for a few hours, but then they're running around like mad.

Chicken wire won't do very well for baby-proofing -- the holes in it are just about as large as the holes in C&C cages. It also bends very easily, so it's fairly easy for a small critter to poke its head through a hole that just barely fits and then get injured trying to get out of it.

Cardboard will be better -- if you make it tall enough, the adults shouldn't be able to get to the tops easily, and maybe you can put the hayracks and water bottles over any vertical seams if needed.

Is the cage on the floor? If not, and if you truly can't get it baby-proofed before the pups get here, maybe you can put the cage down on the floor in a safe room. The babies should be able to come and go through the holes for a few days, and if they're on the floor, at least they won't fall. Of course, you'll have to check each one's head to make sure it's not already large enough to get caught -- sometimes a litter will only have one or two large pups, while others will have three or more small ones. You'll also have to wrangle babies to make sure they go back to mom for nursing and eating, and good luck catching babies in a room with furniture!

Another idea would be to put the cage on the floor and take a grid out so they can come and go. If you could put it in a bathroom or small room with no furniture they can hide behind, that might work. But I think your best bet is to zip tie some cardboard in -- many people use that for baby-proofing.

Some immediate signs of birth are the separation of the pelvic bones, seeing and feeling the babies move, hearing the babies teeth chatter. Those can all occur anywhere from 2 days to a week or so before birth. Unfortunately, just like human babies, it's not an exact science.

[moosey2002]

They're up and running almost immediately. They'll be a little clumsy for a few hours, but then they're running around like mad.

Chicken wire won't do very well for baby-proofing -- the holes in it are just about as large as the holes in C&C cages. It also bends very easily, so it's fairly easy for a small critter to poke its head through a hole that just barely fits and then get injured trying to get out of it.

Cardboard will be better -- if you make it tall enough, the adults shouldn't be able to get to the tops easily, and maybe you can put the hayracks and water bottles over any vertical seams if needed.

Is the cage on the floor? If not, and if you truly can't get it baby-proofed before the pups get here, maybe you can put the cage down on the floor in a safe room. The babies should be able to come and go through the holes for a few days, and if they're on the floor, at least they won't fall. Of course, you'll have to check each one's head to make sure it's not already large enough to get caught -- sometimes a litter will only have one or two large pups, while others will have three or more small ones. You'll also have to wrangle babies to make sure they go back to mom for nursing and eating, and good luck catching babies in a room with furniture!

Another idea would be to put the cage on the floor and take a grid out so they can come and go. If you could put it in a bathroom or small room with no furniture they can hide behind, that might work. But I think your best bet is to zip tie some cardboard in -- many people use that for baby-proofing.

Some immediate signs of birth are the separation of the pelvic bones, seeing and feeling the babies move, hearing the babies teeth chatter. Those can all occur anywhere from 2 days to a week or so before birth. Unfortunately, just like human babies, it's not an exact science.

No , they arent on the floor, their cages is built all out of the cube grids and sits one level high as the base. As of last night, I felt lots of kicking and could easily identify two babies, possibly three. The vet told me today about the pelvic bones so Im going to check that tonight. Ill definilty put up some cardboard at soon as I get home...dont want to risk any babies dropping 14 inches to the floor! Thank you for the help.