[youngsmelisa]

Hello I rescued two female feeders approximately 2 weeks ago. Yesterday Loretta, one of the girls, gave birth. There was 15 including one that passed. I removed them from the large cage and left the other female . I have a 40 gallon tote with air holes, so they can stay warm. I have added two roles of tissue wich mommy has made quite the nest ❤ birth day was day zero and we are on day one. I have read plenty and think I can manage but when can the adult females and babies go back together and when should I separate males from female. I keep seeing different times. I have marked my calender per each week and added specific notes per progress I am just worried the adults will miss eachother

 

[Reshka and Laska]

I read that you should separate the male babies from the female ones when they are 4 weeks and 6 days old. You can let the momma rat go back to her cage mate for half an hour a day if you worry about them missing each other. This will also give you time to examine the pups 💜

 

[LT_2022]

You didn't have to separate the mom and babies from the other adult female. Both females would have taken care of the babies, obviously only one of the females would be able to nurse I wouldn't try to put mom and babies back in with the other adult female now. You can let mom visit her friend daily.

Separate the males from the females no earlier than 3 weeks old and as late as 4 weeks old. You'll be able to tell the males apart from the females as early as a week old. There are pictures here to refer to: Sexing Kittens Photo Series

The females can be left with mom and introduced to the other other adult female.

Do you plan to find homes for the babies you won't be keeping?

 

[youngsmelisa]

Ok sounds good and yes I'm trying to place them, so far I have a couple friends that would take good care of a couple, but I know I won't be able to place them all. Any advice? I don't want them at the shelter. They charge 50 per animal.

 

[LT_2022]

Maybe convince your potential adopters to get the rats in at least pairs or trios Rats do better if they have another rat to live with, be it a sibling or a stranger. This forum and a few other online rat forums have an Adoption section you can post in.

If you somehow have a single male or a single female in the entire litter (totally possible), the singleton can be kept with mom and the other adult female . If it's a single male, he would need to be neutered (kind of expensive) before 6 weeks of age to avoid more babies. Or put two cages side by side with the male living alone in one side. The rats would be able to see and smell each other but not physically interact other than sticking paws and noses between the bars. What is your original cage set up?

Shelters charge an adoption fee to help cover some of the costs incurred to care for of all the animals they take in.

 

[youngsmelisa]

Great idea. I currently have this one its bigger than i originally thought but definitely not enough room for all of them haha currently the single female is here and then i have the tote thats 40 gallons holding mom and babies. Also a few people that want them will definitely take multiple as of this morning i counted 12 babies. I originally thought i counted 14 but there is no blodd anywhere so im guessing i just counted wrong

 

[ratbusters]

Hi there. Congratulations on your babies.
I personally separated males and females at exactly 4 weeks and 5 days, which sounds pretty similar to what another member suggested. And none of the babies got pregnant.
I wouldn't separate them any earlier because the boys would be too young to be weaned and away from their mum.
In terms of the "aunt" rat being in with the family, I've read differing opinions about that. We didn't have to make that decision because both our females got pregnant at the same time so we just gave each of them their own nursery cage. I noticed one mum in particular got a bit bitey around delivery time but settled into nicest nature ever once the babies were a few weeks old.
All the best with babies. Bet mum is pleased to be at your place with her new family instead of at the pet shop. 🙂❤

 

[LT_2022]

A few babies could have died and mom ate them. It happens.

Rats aren't sexually mature until around 8 weeks old. I'd definitely separate the male babies from mom before then. It's preference to wean at 3 weeks of age or a little older IMO.

Hopefully all the babies will be adopted and you will then just have mom and the other adult

 

[youngsmelisa]

All of you are amazing !! I'm so glad I found this place thank you all so much

 

[ratbusters]

A few babies could have died and mom ate them. It happens.

Rats aren't sexually mature until around 8 weeks old. I'd definitely separate the male babies from mom before then. It's preference to wean at 3 weeks of age or a little older IMO.

Hopefully all the babies will be adopted and you will then just have mom and the other adult

My understanding is that rats physically wean at 4 weeks, but they still enjoy the comfort and learning of social skills from their mother until almost 5 weeks old.
I did read once that in laboratory settings they get weaned very early, and I assume quite suddenly, but for pet rats where temperament and confidence is more of an issue I personally preferred to let them have a bit longer with their mother than 3 or 4 weeks

 

[youngsmelisa]

So I put mom and babies back with the other lady, so far so good, I added a box with two exits so she doesn't feel trapped. I'm also curious if I should take all the top hanging things out for now or just leave them. There is 3 hammocks 2 perches and some bird perches as well. I dont want babies to get up. Should I atleast take the stairs out since the older ladies can reach regardless? 🤔

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[LT_2022]

The babies aren't too mobile right now so I'd leave everything as it is. Once their eyes open they'll start to explore more. I'd leave a few elevated things for the adults so they can get a break from the babies when they want. The stairs should be removed if the adults can reach the platform with out it.

Are you able to determine the genders of the babies yet?

 

[youngsmelisa]

The babies aren't too mobile right now so I'd leave everything as it is. Once their eyes open they'll start to explore more. I'd leave a few elevated things for the adults so they can get a break from the babies when they want. The stairs should be removed if the adults can reach the platform with out it.

Are you able to determine the genders of the babies yet?

I have not tried to check gender yet. I will be doing that today after work . We've only had the girls almost 3 weeks and since they were feeders I have been going super slow and giving her more time. I have been slowly introducing hands and talking thru out the visits. She seems a lil aggressive atm. 😳

 

[youngsmelisa]

So I attempted checking genders and mama bit the crap out of me , having only had her a couple weeks I think she is just too scared. I will continue to work on mama with protien rich treats and such before I even bother

 

[LT_2022]

I would temporarily remove mom from the cage so you can check the babies. Maybe use a small box or something to scoop mom up to avoid being bit.

 

[youngsmelisa]

So currently I have given mom a box with 2 access points. It has the babies nesting inside and it's easily removable from the cage. I distract her then pull the box out. Helps wonders. Too bad I had to get bit first to learn this trick lol 😆 she got my knuckle , it's been quite some time since bleeding so much lol

 

[ratbusters]

So I attempted checking genders and mama bit the crap out of me , having only had her a couple weeks I think she is just too scared. I will continue to work on mama with protien rich treats and such before I even bother

I expect the mama will settle down with the biting. One of our rats got really touchy when she had babies. One time she literally flew at me and bit me when I was changing her water. However she calmed down when the babies got older. She ended up having the nicest nature ever.. she was just protecting her babies.

 

[youngsmelisa]

I really hope so. She's such a beauty someone had mentioned she may be a mink

 

[LT_2022]

@youngsmelisa any updates on the babies and how many girls and boys there are?

 

[youngsmelisa]

There was 13 babies. One still born. There is one runt, I separated the litter and left the 3 smallest with mom for an hour so the small ones could eat. Been doing that once a day after work. I have only seen 2 boys from what I can tell. I try to leave them alone but atleast a daily physical check