Holding Newborns?

[PrincessRat]

I'm just wondering (not planning to breed or anything) I've heard mixed answers about this.

With rats is it okay to pick up a newborn pup? I was told that it was and a friend of mine a few years ago let me hold one of her newborns because I happened to be over when they were born. We washed our hands and the mother didn't mind us touching them at all and nothing happened to any babies.

But I know some animals will reject the baby if you touch it and get your scent on it. I've heard a lot lately that rats are one of those animals and that you should wait until they are at least three weeks old to touch them but I thought before that it was good to handle them from birth unless the mother absolutely won't let you near them. So I'm not sure what to believe now?

Just curious, so if I ever decide to breed any rats in the future or if I'm offered to hold any newborn ratties.
Thanks!

[Kemodo]

Load of old bollocks! I'd leave them for the first few hours after birth, so mum can settle with them, etc. From then on, handling is very important. Not just for socialisation, but also so you can check for milkbands, formation, any injuries that may have occured during the birth...

[Isamurat]

I agree, i handle mine from a few hours old, once Mum is happy enough to come off the nest (usueally for something food related lol). At first it's a check over to make sure they are healthy and growing ok. I do make sure that my hands don't smell of other rats and ideally smell of mum though.

After around 4-5 days old I've noticed the kittens are starting to take an active interest in me, having a good sniff rather than just lieing there. From then on it really helps them develope nicely into loving pets

[lilspaz68]

When my rescue litters are born, I check them out a few hours after birth for milk bands or any issues...possibly dead pups that didn't make it etc. AFter that I hold them daily for a very short while (making sure they don't get cold) while Mom is running around for about 20 mins at a time. Once they have fur and are a bit older, you can have them out longer and MOm can run for longer.

[PrincessRat]

Alright thanks! I was surprised to start hearing that you couldn't hold them until they were older so I thought I would clear that up...it does sound very silly to leave them alone for that long without even picking them up to check for health issues or make sure they're getting fed, I hope the people who told you have to wait so long don't plan on breeding their rats. Thanks for confirming this for me!