The babies are 18-19 days old now. All thier eyes are open except for the little white one who struggled from the beginning. He was the only one I had to give milk to. He is frisky and running around with the rest, but he is just littler and needs more time to catch up. Most of them are starting to eat the unshelled sunflower seeds and rice crispies. A couple are trying to chew the bedding when the folks are chewing up card board. One has started to nibble on the plastic house and the wooden cube. The five are still wild agouti, the white one is still all white, but the one that was black and white has faded down to gray with the white collar and diamond on his head and white spots on his fanny so he is much softer hues now. so far no clicking when they breath and though they scratch from time to time, when I rub thier fur against the grain on a white paper towel, I have no mites come off so maybe it is just the old bites itching or the fur coming in thicker. Speedy is getting good and fat and has been trying to build the perfect nest so I figure she will deliver some time in the next couple of days. We have company in town and the kids are hoping that the company will get to see the new borns. I am not sure the company is that excited. LOL. I really want to thank everyone in this group for the wonderful help that you have given. I wasn't expecting to have gerbil babies and learing how to keep everyone safe and sound has made a huge difference. Christine
