[littleangel]

Hello, i have now 6 orphaned rats to care for, i was wondering if any of had any tips and tricks to help me care for them and bring to adulthood the best that i can! They seem pretty weak since i found their mother dead next to them. Iput them in a shoe box on some old t shirt and i will use a heating lightbulb to keep them warm for now, please help me and thank you! (also sorry for my english, french is my native language)

 

[moonkissed]

How old are they?

It is not impossible but very difficult to care for orphaned babies. You may lose some or all, so prepare yourself for that.
I would try to find a local breeder or someone with a mother rat who can take them in. That would be the best chance.

Getting soy milk or kmr and feeding them with the tip of a paintbrush. You also need to keep them warm & stimulate them to potty.

http://www.ratfanclub.org/orphans.html
http://www.afrma.org/orphanrm.htm

 

[littleangel]

They are 20 days old, and i looked online and there is now local breeder where i live that could take them in.... Thank you for your reply i will try to replace their mother the best i can..

 

[MomOfTheMischeif]

20 days? Although it'll still be difficult, if you can commit your time to them (about every 2 hours) & research, research, RESEARCH they should only need you to assist them for another 2 weeks at most (including weaning them) which would absolutely be worth it for 6 little lives. Good luck! I'd love to hear updates as you go along. I have 4 babies...5 days old with a hairless mom...completely accidental litter as she was sold to me as a male and to young to tell the difference (or so I thought).