Babies have gone?!?!

[angelwithadirtyface]

I've just been looking up for some advice and found a very simular post by deb and pat. The only difference is that Will has had two joeys before. We have also checked everywhere in the cage and around the room where they play. Last night I noticed one joey had gone and turned the living room upside down looking for the baby. Found no evidence that the joey had ever been there. Then this evening we've noticed the other baby has also gone. Nothing has changed with there diet or lifestyle. I have a feeling that the joeys were slightly older than the ones in previous post. We are now really worried this will continue to happen. We were planning om having the boys done after these joeys but are now wondering if we should have them done now to save any more problems. Will appears fine and is eating and playing normally (infact is giving my boyfriend the run around at this precise moment!) . Am a bit concerned that one of the other gliders could of done it although I have found no information to back that up.
Any advice much appreciated as always
Laura xxx

[Marie]

How many gliders are in the cage, and what sex ratio?  It's possible the joeys could have been cannibalised, it is 'normal' for gliders to do this unfortunately, and they show no remorse so wouldn't act any differently toward you.

Many US breeders have the 3 strikes and you're out attitude, as in the pair get 3 chances, if they kill the joeys 3 times then the males all get snipped. 

[angelwithadirtyface]

We have 4 gliders in a 1.5 by 1 by 2m high(roughly, its hand made so the measurements are a little off) and there are 2 males and 2 females. We have only let them breed once more because are friend was goin to have these joeys. He has fallen in love with them over the las few years and just finished renovating his new house.
I was slightly worried that it was because they thought the cage was too small to house two more and obviously they wouldn't know that the new joeys were going to live with Shaun. We have a little space left in which to extend upwards. Would that make a difference??Although they are let out every night (with a few exceptions) so they know that they have the run of the living room also.
I know its a bit cheeky but I'm goin to slip in another ? in here as I'm already typing. Our little male is goin to the vets at the same time as wisp to "have the chop" he is a teenager at the moment and a bit obnoxtious. Will this calm him down or is he likely to stay the same. Same applies to wisp really although he is the complete opposite he's lazy and enjoys his food a little to much we worry that he will become even more lazy if he doesn't have the added insentive to make babies.
Thanks for getting back to me Marie its great having an expert on the end of the keyboard. I apologise for the spelling mistakes.
Laura xxx

[Marie]

The cage doesn't sound too small, but it *could* be because you have 2 males, I'm not saying it is but often if the males are not father and son the one that isn't the father will kill the others joey.  They live in large groups the majority of the group are females, there's often just 1 male.

Neutering should reduce the aggression, but many suggies are nippy anyway, I have a very tame madam who will occasionally nip. 

[roxyandboys]

i have experianced a female kill another females joey. also my most recent a deestating loss was 3 males with 1 female, however, exactly the same ratio have produced a joey a few months back

[angelwithadirtyface]

Hiya. Cheers for both getting back to me. The two males are father and son and I have never seen any aggression towards the others from either(wispy is far to lazy) As for the females I really don't know. They could be up to anything once I'm in bed. Sorry that you had the same experience Roxy. Its not nice. I guess I'll just have to put it down to a horrible but natural experience. I've had these gliders a few years now and continue to learn new things about them. Although I think I would of rather not know that they ate their babies! The cage is getting extended this weekend, just incase! I'll let you know what we decide to do about the neutering. I know it has to be done eventually but we haven't decided whether or not to give it another bash. Our friend would love two. I was planning on letting him have mango but ended up getting to attatched to her in the time it took him to track down a friend.
Chat soon
Laura xxx