Hi WhiteTiger,
For the pass thru doors and cage supplies we normally go to Valentine's Inc. at: http://store.valentineinc.com/cagestuff.html There are other places on the net that provide the pass-thru doors. I'm sure some of the other members probably know of them.
She has yet to (thank goddness) be pregnant with new borns or babies. She has had them all after they were weaned(i.e... she has babies, they leave a few months later she has more). So there is plenty of time. I just don't want she to tire out.
Keep in mind that 111 days is over 3 1/2 months, and you have to add 7 weeks of nursing is almost 2 months ... that makes 5 1/2 months of being pregnant and nursing, both of which drain the calcium and nutrients from the mom's body.
So, if she delivers within the 3 1/2 months, she got pregnant immediately after giving birth. This is called breed back ... not good for all involved.
If she gets pregnant while the kits are still nursing (giving birth between 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 after the first litter, you still have a double drain on the system - not good.
Jamie suggested making sure the litters born were at least 200 to 250 days (6 1/2 to 8+ months) apart. Not only does momma chin need to have calcium to form the kits and feed the kits, she also needs time to replenish her own body. These extra 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 months are needed for mom to replenish her own body.
In the wild, only one litter per year was born. Maybe we need to listen to mother nature, she usually knows best.
In a ranch run, like Jamie has pictured, they can still see, smell and even touch each other, they just can't mate. A happy healthy pair.
Jo Ann[/i]