Introducing little Minx

[Mweekie]

Hello - thought'd I'd update everyone on Little Minx as I've now been back from holidays since Friday afternoon.

Originally Posted by cloudy

I hope you have a lovely break.

Cloudy - yes I did thank you. It did feel a bit weird being in the same accomodation with 10 other people (in fact at one point my anxiety kicked in), but after I had settled and had my first night's sleep, I felt a bit better.

But anyway, back to Little Minx as it's her thread, not mine

Well from what my best friend has told me, all has gone well for Little Minx last week and my friend was able to come in daily (wasn't sure about a couple of night's) in the end which I am definitely pleased about.

One thing that has surprised me is that Little Minx has moved her bedding into her thick kitchen roll tube, rather than in the terracotta house, and seems to have made quite a food store in the terracotta house instead. Bit concerned by this as I only feed her one scoop of Rodipet Dwarf Junior, plus a scoop of sunflower hearts/mealworms a night - could this mean I need to cut down a little on her food or do I need to decant some of her food store?

Little Minx seems really pleased to see me now, as she almost did a "Bonnie-Smoosh" last night lol. She literally threw herself off her wheel to get to the tank door, so I am hoping this is a sign that she is wanting to come out and explore a bit now - she was too nervous to do this before I went away lol.

Haven't had much time to take any photos since I came back, as I literally came home on Friday pm, crashed almost as soon as my head hit my pillow (thanks to me stupidly taking my night medication instead of my day meds lol), and have been at work yesterday and today. Working again tomorrow, but have got Tuesday off, so will see if I can get a couple of photos - might be worth taking one of her food store as well.

Any suggestions on the food situation would be gratefully received

Mweekie xx

[Ria P]

Looking forward to see more photos of little Minx.

A scoop of the Rodipet mix sounds fine to me but she wouldn't eat another scoopful of sunflower/mealworms on top of that.
I'd give a couple of sunflower seeds in their shell instead because they like cracking the shell open. A couple of mealworms as treats per day should be enough because they'll be in the dwarf mix as well.
She'll probably enjoy a pinch of brown linseeds and a little fresh greens in the evening too.

Hamsters eat so little but hoard a lot. That's just what they do and the hoards could be anywhere. One of ours uses his coconut hide as his food store but sits to groom in the ceramic hide next to it. Any treat i give him, he immediately runs off with it to put in his coconut. There are other hoards as well of course, inside his house.

When he starts to sleep in his hide he has stuffed so much inside his house that there is no more room for him and that's when i prune the hoard back and remove some of the bedding. He moves straight back in because he loves his house.

[cloudy]

I am pleased to hear you enjoyed your break. You are very brave to share with 10 others despite having anxiety.

How cute Little Minx was pleased to see you. I think sometimes we feel animals would not notice if we are away if they seem to ignore us but that could be because they know we are always there. To me, she clearly missed you and expressed joy.

[Mweekie]

Heya,

Well I was supposed to be going to Croatia tomorrow, but unfortunately the dreaded COVID hit me on Sunday, so now I'm unable to go - but that's enough about that.

With Little Minx, obviously with the situation, I've been wearing gloves and mask when feeding her (and all my other animals) and she's been very confused by it and hasn't really come out much since Sunday. When I have seen her she seems fine though and I still hear her being very active when the lights are off. I am hoping to win her confidence again when I test negative again and she can smell my fingers properly.

She still has her "massive" stash of food inside her terracotta house - so I might decant some of her food out of that when I test negative and maybe see if she'll move her nest back in. I have also cut back her food as well - so she might be "boy-cotting" me for that reason as well lol. Might try her on a tiny piece of cheese tonight - she's not had it before so hopefully she'll approve. Mum has also put aside a couple of peas for her as well lol.

Will update next week on Little Minx - was supposed to have photos this post, but having to postpone as limiting access with Little Minx due to virus.

Mweekie xx

[cloudy]

Oh no! I really hope you recover quickly. I hope Little Minx enjoys the cheese.