1. What is the best substitute for the mother’s milk if the baby chin is not getting enough from the mother? – Didn’t know I had to separate mama and papa right after birth so there may be a chance she is prego again (I separated them the day after)… and I’m afraid if she is then the new developing
babies could be taking away the nutrients the living baby needs. I also can’t get a straight answer on this via research or from vets.
it is not ideal for the mum to be nursing and pregnant at the same time, however, she's only nursing one baby now so this is not as bad as if she'd had three. i would give her extra nutrition - alfalfa hay, a teaspoon of oats twice a week and supplement vitamin c (get chewable tablets from pharmacy and give her half - they usually take it) and calcium (fruit flavoured tums, a quarter every few days)
2. How much should the baby weigh (baby was born 7/24/11) and how much should it be gaining each day or week? – I looked this up but I’m seeing a lot of different answers and I want a better estimate so I know if I need to step in and hand feed it.
it varies greatly. you need to weigh the baby every day and expect it to put on 1-2g a day for the first couple of weeks. again, some days are better than others and some babies are better at putting weight on than others. if it's suckling, its tail is curling up, is active and steadily putting on weight, it's good. i would not be extremely keen on stepping in to handfeed - mum's milk is the best thing AND you need to feed every two hours day and night - it is not an easy task so don't start unless you have to. however, if the baby starts losing weight, it's important to supplement - fresh goat's milk's good, i actually used sheep milk (i milked a sheep!!!) for mine but it was lambing season. however, if the baby is losing weight, there may be a problem with mum and you should take them both (never leave the baby alone) to the vet. my fluffy had mastitis which meant she couldn't nurse.
3. When should the Baby start eating pellets and drinking water?
make sure the baby can reach water bottle. they usually start eating hay very early - a few days old, not quite sure about pellets (don't remember!)
4. Should I separate baby and mama on the 8th week?
baby needs to be over 200g. if it's not, you'll need to leave it for a bit longer. if it's a girl, you can leave her with mum indefinitely. if it's a boy, the latest i'd separate would be 10 weeks.
5. When can I reunite papa with mama and baby?
you can't. if the baby is a girl and you put the dad back in, he will get the mum and the baby (once fertile) pregnant. if the baby is a boy, him and dad may fight to the point where they kill each other; he can also impregnate mum after 12 weeks.
you could have the dad neutered, if you decide to do this, make absolutely sure your vet knows what they're doing, then wait for 6 weeks before you can reintroduce. again, if the baby is male, he will have to be separated.
6. When can the baby and mama start taking dust baths?
10 days, like j said.