Milk substitute for possum & glider joeys with greater than 80% of their pouch life completed.

Joeys at this stage have short to dense fur, with eyes fully opened and ears erect. Joeys spend some time out of the pouch and may consume some solid food. Faeces are soft to firm dark pellets.

Key Features

• Formulated to match the composition of late lactation possum milk.
• High energy (fat content) milk, to cater for the increased activity levels of emergent joeys.
• High in protein to coincide with peak growth rate.

Ingredients

Whole milk solids (low lactose), whey protein, casein, glucose, vegetable oils, omega-3 & 6 fatty acids, maltodextrin, vitamins A, B₁, B₂, B₃, B₅, B₆, B₉, B₁₂, C, D₃, E, K, biotin, choline, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium.

 Typical Analysis

Use Possum Milk Replacer >0.8 when joeys are fully-furred, emerging from the pouch and becoming more active.

Impact Colostrum Supplement may be fed to enhance the immune system.

Making up Milk

To make 100mL of milk: Mix 25g of powder (3½ scoops) to 80ml of warm water.

To make 1 litre of milk: Mix 250g of powder with 800ml of warm water.

Add about half the water to the powder first and mix to a paste. Then make up with remaining water and mix thoroughly. Water is preboiled to ensure that it is sterilised. If the water is too hot it can cause the milk to curdle. If it is too cold then it will be difficult to disperse the powder. Wombaroo contains elevated fat levels, so the milk needs to be well mixed to prevent it from separating out. An electric whisk can be used for mixing larger quantities. Milk can be stored in the fridge for a day or can be frozen for up to 2 weeks. It may be useful to store frozen milk in small portions (e.g. ice cube trays), so that the required daily feed volumes can be easily thawed out. Re-mix well after thawing. Once thawed out, discard any unused milk, and wash feeding utensils thoroughly.

Feeding Guide

Warm milk to about 30°C and feed using a bottle and teat. A SD Teat or LD Teat is recommended for the larger out-of-pouch possums or gliders. A C Teat or P Teat may be used for smaller species. A syringe or eye dropper may be required for pygmy possums or small gliders. Feed around 4 times per day for joeys with an Age Factor >0.8, reducing this to twice a day after full pouch emergence, when sufficient solid food is being consumed. As the young progress they can be taught to lap from a shallow bowl, and may be offered a single feed at night, in conjunction with solid food. If the joey shows signs of dehydration (e.g. during hot weather), give extra drinks of water between feeds. Joeys can dehydrate rapidly if not maintained under optimum husbandry conditions. Water should always be available ad lib once joeys begin to emerge from the pouch and become more active. Joeys should also have ad lib access to fresh browse and natural solid foods at this stage. Consult your veterinarian or experienced carer for further information about husbandry and feeding of young possums.

Growth

Different species of possums and gliders grow at different rates. Refer to the Wombaroo growth charts for guidelines for various species. Weigh joeys regularly to verify weight gains and determine the volume of milk to feed. Overfeeding milk can cause diarrhoea so feed the suggested volumes in our tables.

Weaning

Once a possum leaves the pouch it begins to eat more solid food and becomes less reliant on milk. The amount of milk fed will depend on the quantity and nutritional value of other food eaten. Possum joeys should be weaned at about 1.3 times the joey's pouch life. For example a Common Brushtail has a pouch life of 150 days, so can be weaned by 200 days. Possums and gliders should be weaned on to solid foods that form part of the natural diet of the adult of the species. High Protein Supplement should be used as nutritional supplement if feeding fruit and vegetables. Small Carnivore Food can be used as a supplement for insectivorous species and Lorikeet & Honyeater Food can be supplemented to nectar feeders.