Oh Gawd, why did I look?

[Veyla]

I have been considering getting suggies for over 18months now but due to circumstances the time was not right but I have now got the time to really devote to them. So as a newbie to the group my plan was to really learn the ins and outs of suggie care. I think I understand the diet now (she says with confidence... honest) and I know what I need to equip the cage out correctly as well as the supplements etc so I had no intention of looking for a breeder until everything is set up and ready to go, but I have made the classic mistake and looked what availabilty of suggies there are, and low and behold I have found a local breeder (and I mean local, literally down the road!!) and guess what they have some suggies too. Argh!!! Anyway I spoke to the breeder and they seem really nice and before I could ask they have asked me to go round tommorow and have a look at them and decide if suggies are right for me, which I though was great. They also want to chat about nutrition and for me to see the colony before making decisions. So far I think that sounds like a responible breeder.
 
What should I be looking out for and what questions should I be asking to really make sure that they are good responsible breeders?

[loulou]

I have to say the fact that they want you to come and look at their gliders before you commit shines as a good breeder anyway in my eyes and means they are not just after a quick sale.

But ask about diets and what they are feeding, they may not use the ratio diets on here but use one of the American die plans, dont panic if they do at least you know they have researched the gliders and have found a diet that works for them, but if they use a diet you have not heard of just ask them questions. A good breeder will answer any questions they can about their diet and try to help you with yours (just look at Tillie perfect example of a good breeder). Take a look at the gliders, they should be bright eyes bushy tailed and have a nice healthy grey coat, see how bonded the gliders are to the owners and have a look at how confident the joeys are as well, although joeys are new to the world and will not always be as confident as their parents you can tell the difference between an owner that has spent time trying ot get them friendly and ones that just leave them to it in the cage. Also pay attention to the cage,a nice clean cage (obviously not spotless all animals make a mess) and some interior (although do not worry if theres not as much as you would have in there as some owners prefer to leave their cages quite empty so that the gliders can jump and glide)we have quite empty cages, they consist of a wheel, 2 water bottles, 3 branches, a huge hammock and a swingy thing I made out of fleece and a take away lid. I concider my cages quite sparce but it gives them some landing platforms and things to play on as well as lots of empty cage.

Ask the breeder about his/herbonding process and what she recommends for you, basically ask as many questions as you can and get a feel for yourself. A good breeder generally asks you alot of questions as well, but if you are getting all the questions in first she/he may not need to ask you anything.

well theres my essay for today

[loulou]

oh one other thing, not to check out the breeder but for your own knowledge, ask her/him what vet they use as you will then have found yourself a glidr savvy vet   

[Veyla]

oh one other thing, not to check out the breeder but for your own knowledge, ask her/him what vet they use as you will then have found yourself a glidr savvy vet   

Ooh I never even thought about that one, thats a good idea!!! Thank you that all really makes sense.

[Veyla]

Anymore thoughts as to what I should be looking for or asking specifically. I have spoken to the breeder today and they have asked me to come over at 8.30pm when everyone is up and ready to play. Really looking forward to it because I will get to have a play with a Suggie today!!!! Yay!

[Marie]

Just suss the breeder out, do you get along with them?  Find out how log s/he's been keeping, find out who she got her gliders from, ask her if she's on Sugar Lumps and if not why not?     If she disagrees with something like feeding Iams for example (as some people don't agree its good for them) then ask her why. 

[Amalthea]

Just use your instincts You'll know if they are a person you'll be wanting to deal with.  you already know a bit about gliders, so you'll know if they are telling you a load of crap, as well

[Veyla]

Well we have been to see the little Suggies and they are so cute. We had a play with one of the girls who happily climbed all over us and was really friendly in fact the whole group was really friendly and playful. All of the Suggies looked extremly healthy and bright eyed and were certainly active. We are going to have two, but they are not ready to leave mom yet, although she obviously thought so as she was trying to throw the one off her back which was really funny as she gave in and went back into her nesting box. We asked lots of questions but to be honest the breeders answered most of them before we asked. We have an open invitation to go back and look at them as often as we want to watch the progress of the little ones.

[tillie]

Ah all sounds good to me   How long till you get them?

[loulou]

Great news  sounds like a good breeder from what you have said

bet you cant wait to get them now

[Amalthea]

Is the breeder a member of Suggie Lumps?

[Veyla]

Actually I am not 100% sure if they are or not?? She did mention and direct me to this forum though. They had two older females that are ready to leave now and two that were still with Mom and are not ready to leave home. Initially we thought we would have these two because we are not ready for gliders yet for another few weeks because we have a holiday etc. My husband fell in love with one of the girls that are ready to go now because she was totally fascinated by him and kept on jumping on him and playing with him and the great news is that the breeder has said she would actually keep those girls for us until we are ready for them. We are naming them Nugget and Nibblet. I really liked that the whole family were involved with the gliders so the Suggies were used to lots of different faces and really really friendly. I am really impressed with what I have seen and really really can't wait for them to come home with us.

Eight weeks to go before they are here.... seems like forever!


 

[Amalthea]

The time will fly by!! Just keep getting odds and ends for them until then and it'll go by quick