Pregnancy Chewing?

[Sheri]

Hi all. I hope this is where this goes. If not please move it.
I have a male and female that are paired and have gotten along fine now for months. She is due in about 3 weeks if calculations are right. Today when cleaning their cage (now her's alone) I noticed the male looked a little funny. I finished cleaning and put her back. I took him to the play room and checked him out. It looks like he is being chewed a little. Now they are seperate so I can see if it is him or her chewing. I also noticed that he seems nervous around her all of a sudden.

My question is this, can fur chewing be genetic? If I find it's her chewing him is it because she's pregnate and it's his fault. (That's how I felt that last month) I don't know what to think. I looked her over and she is fine.

Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Chinniechantel]

Yes, it is genetic and also stress related. I think both. She most likely did not get pregnant on day one, so you just have to be ready all the time for babies. Do you have a safe cage? What food do you feed? I would let the breeder know that he or she is chewing also- it is something breeders like to know since we don't breed fur chewers since it is thought to be genetic.

Are you sure it is not fungus? That also causes hair loss- but they are quite easy to distinguish. Pictures would help!

 

[Sheri]

LOL OK WHat order to go in. I KNOW it's not fungus as I have already had that. I have already had babies (several litters) over the time I have been here. All my cages are baby proof. I am not going by the date I put them together for a due date. Going by the date I saw breeding take place and date of her last heat cycle. Yes they are seperated now. The missing patch is the size of a dime and not sure who did it so he will stay by himself until I know who it was.hhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm what else?

Oh yeah...I feed PANR, Ryerson supplement and Hay with rose hips and plain shreddies or a cherrio as a treat.

 

[Rickman]

I had a brown velvet female that would fight with the male about half-way through the pregnancy, so I'd pull him out. She wouldn't accept him back until the kit were about 3 weeks old, but then everything was fine. Happened 3 times!
I know most breeders with runs will block-off the male for the last few weeks, probably more so the kits won't get out.
I felt she maybe didn't trust the male when the kits were so small???

 

[Chinniechantel]

Hmm....I have not seen fur chewing in only a dime sized area, but it very well could just be the start. They seem to have the right food cages, etc. so that is good. I would try to reduce stress, I think having a cranky pregnant girl in your cage could cause some stress! Lol. Being alone will hopefully help, or at the least you will find out who is doing the chewing.

 

[jmdebb]

He might be nervous around her if she is close to delivering because she might start acting different and maybe going after him or something.

Jean