Why are my robos so scruffy??

Some of my (younger) robos are starting to look scruffier and scruffier....as if they can't be bothered grooming at all. They look like they just need a brush! They have sand baths and they're well fed and happy etc etc....has anyone any ideas??? Are they just scruffy little monkeys or is there something I could/should be doing???

[PinkEmily]

I have a scruffy robo. Its how i tell them apart

[arlev]

Originally Posted by East London Chick

Some of my (younger) robos are starting to look scruffier and scruffier....as if they can't be bothered grooming at all.

A lot of our Russians had the same problem. I put it down to a genetic defect *but* the only thing I was suspicious of was that there may not be enough ventilation in their nest...

...we had Rotastak which doesn't give good ventilation in the nest compartments. However, I wonder if it's a known illness? Anyone?

[souffle]

They can look a bit greasy sometimes but I think this is normal especially when there are a few in together. Have you greased the wheels at all and they are rubbing it on their fur? Have they been storing oily or wet food then sleeping in it? Maybe they have a lot of oil rich seeds in their mix? It should clean off but grease seems to take ages to wear off. I think you can dust them with cornflour for a dry shampoo but I don't fancy trying to dust a robo then brush it out

Aah, that's interesting...my 3 scruffy little boys do all live together so it sounds like it must be something connected. Its cage cleaning night for them tonight so I've just scrubbed out their Perfecto tank and I'm going to add an extra sandbath and I'll really keep an eye on their diet (Harry Hamster plus veg) and see how the little monkeys get on.

I still don't have any names for them (I tend to just call them "the minkees") so if anyone has a great idea for a name for 3 scruffy little brothers, it'd be much appreciated!!

[arlev]

Originally Posted by East London Chick

I still don't have any names for them (I tend to just call them "the minkees") so if anyone has a great idea for a name for 3 scruffy little brothers, it'd be much appreciated!!

Scruff, Fluff and Puff/Ruff/Gruff

[souffle]

Well you said it so Minky, Manky and Monkey!

[Spuds Mum]

Howabout...

Engine (grease)
Rancid (grease)
and
Elbow (grease)????

[Leon]

How about Rough and Tumble... and ???

Great ideas guys. But I don't want to cause them all psychological damage!! Poor little Rancid. I kind of like it but.... I do like Minky, Manky and Monkey but I already call one of my former rowing crew Monkey (long story!) so I think it'd confuse all my friends.


Well....I did wonder about calling them Snuffy, Smutty and Sooty (they're all synonyms for unclean). But now they've got an extra sandbath - and I've actually seen them using it for once - they're already looking a lot smarter. I think the name suggestions might have got them to pull their little robo socks up (so to speak). So now I'm considering Crosby, Stills and Nash. ???

I'm rubbish with names, I hate doing this. I still have all of Sylvester and Bruce's babies to do, as well as the four 8 week old robo boys that moved in with Arnie. Arghh!!