Hand-rearing: For hand-rearing, the fennec kits are given Pedialyte for their first feed after being pulled, and this is also mixed in with the formula for the first day.  We use liquid Esbilac puppy replacer milk; we’ve used this for many, many years with excellent results!  The first few feeds are given with either a pet nurser, or with a syringe…a syringe should only be used by someone comfortable and competent with this method of feeding, as you can easily aspirate the kits.  For the first day, we use 1 part liquid Esbilac to 1 part pedialyte, every 3 to 3 ½ hours around the clock.  The second day we increase to 2:1 (2 parts Esbilac to 1 part pedialyte or water).  We use bottled water (not distilled) in place of the pedialyte by the third day.  Watch for dehydration, as well as diarrhea.  By day 16 on, add 1 part baby rice cereal to formula. At this time the interval between feeds can be extended to every 4 to 4 ½ hours, with a slightly longer period (about 5-6 hours) during the night.      After each feeding, the kits need to be stimulated to urinate and/or defecate with a warm, damp towel, until they are capable of going on their own.  At this point it is possible to start the litterbox or newspaper training. Usually by 28-30 days of age, the kits can start to be weaned.  While still feeding the formula, we slowly introduce solid food in the following order: Science Diet Nature's Best Puppy kibble or Nature's Variety Canine Chicken & Rice, very well soaked Fancy Feast grilled chicken and gravy cat food Mixed vegetables You can start offering a tiny bit of very well soaked kibble at a couple of feeding times, being careful to avoid too much too soon. You also need to start offering water during this time; you can bottle-feed it at first. As they take the new foods well, you can start offering a little bit of the soaked food with Esbilac and rice cereal on top in a shallow dish, still giving them some formula via bottle in addition.  By this time they are in their playpen and make a big mess of everything! Once they are eating this well, slowly decrease the formula with rice, and add a little chicken and gravy canned cat food.  Let them try a bit of thawed veggies as well, torn in tiny pieces.  Remember to add new food slowly. Make sure that as they are eating new foods, they are not having any severe bowel changes.  Introducing new foods and weaning is a stressful time on any animal.  If they don’t take to it at first, continue with the formula and try again in another day or so.  Soon, they will be eating out of a dish!  Weaning is a fairly simple process, as long as the kits are ready for it.  You need to be careful, patient, flexible & observant, as each kit will have its own timing and needs. Important things to remember and have on hand: Scale…necessary to monitor weight gains or losses to track progress.  Kits should be weighed every day at the same time. Notebook to record each feeding time, amounts, weights and other information. Example: 6/16              M1                    M2                   M3               F1 3:30 p            59g    u,p           75g    u           75g    u          76g  u,p 1:1              1.6cc                 1.6cc                 1.8cc            1.5cc    u,p  refers to urine and poop, just records what they did when you stimulated them after each feeding. Be careful not to overfeed, their tummies should be full but not tight! M1, M2, etc refers to male 1, male 2, with whatever marking I use to distinguish the same sexes apart. 1:1 refers to the formula ratio; in this case it is 1 part liquid Esbilac to 1 part water   Housing:  A small crate works well for the first few days to week, depending on the number/age of the litter. We use a wire topped under-seat carrier in the beginning.  Soft, non-raveling towelling is good inside, and place a heating pad underneath on one end for warmth.  You'll know if they are too warm or cold by how close together they sleep.  When they get too active for the crate, you can move them to a playpen or indoor pen with small wire spacing, with towelling, heating pad (if needed) and a cardboard box for a den.  Stock up on newspaper!  Once you move them into a playpen or pen (if not earlier), start teaching them to use the litter box.  Use only clay litter, never clumping.  Place them in it after they've been fed, like you would a kitten.   Once they start climbing, you'll need to put some mesh over the top of the playpen and secure it very well. A good exotic vet The above is just a very basic guide to hand-rearing, to give you a little insight in to the requirements and care. There is certainly much more to it in raising fennec fox kits successfully. There is no substitute for experience, so feel free to contact us with questions.  We are always happy to help and give guidance! Sheri Hanna Exotic Endeavors Please note all information here is copyrighted material and available for personal information only; it cannot be reprinted or copied onto another website without express written permission from Exotic Endeavors and proper credit given.