[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

 

[youngsmelisa]

 

[LT_2022]

Babies

The babies should be almost 2 weeks old now, right? At this age, you can easily tell the boys from the girls if just by the presence or absence of nipples

 

[youngsmelisa]

12 days today <3 I honestly see no nipples on any but I will look again today. Aren't they so cute!!

 

[youngsmelisa]

I put a wool cat bed in the cage it's a nest type with a while to let mama out. Nice and cozy 😊 plus it helps when I need to take them out and check them. I'm thinking eyes should be open by day 14??

 

[LT_2022]

Maybe a litter of all girls? Keep checking daily. Once the fur grows in, it'll be hard to see any nipples but then you can just go by the testicles or lack of.

Yes, eyes open around day 14 or so.

I love rat babies 😍

 

[youngsmelisa]

Oh my goodness. I am so excited 😊 I hope its not all girls hahaha I won't have enough cage 😅

 

[youngsmelisa]

I'm glad I have an extra cage 😌

 

[youngsmelisa]

Ok I have an update!! 7 boys 5 girls 🥰🥰🥰

 

[LT_2022]

Rat babies are the cutest when their eyes are still closed and they're starting to grow peach fuzz 🥰

Hope all the babies can go to their new homes in pairs or trios so there isn't a single left over

 

[youngsmelisa]

So it's day 15. Babies are all well. The runt is still super tiny, but my main concern is their eyes are still closed, how much longer does it take I kept reading from 12 to 15 days ....

 

[LT_2022]

The eyes will open when they're ready No need to worry. Are you sure the eyes are stuck closed because of porphyrin / gunk? You can gently rub a damp cotton swab on the eyes to loosen any gunk. If that doesn't help, the babies eyes just aren't ready to open.

 

[youngsmelisa]

Lol ok. Ya there is no gunk. I think I'm just eager lol. Thnk u for the re assurance

 

[youngsmelisa]

They opened!! And I'm pretty sure mama rat is a rex or rex ish. Her hair is not a normal glossy coat. It's more wirey but she has a white patch on belly. And now that I have seen more videos on rex it just makes more sense. Also some of the babies have opened there eyes! And a few are just squinting ❤ the boy in this pic has wavy hair as well with white socks and white tip tale

 

[LT_2022]

Squinty eyes are normal. Babies just need to adjust to seeing the world around them You can leave some of mom's food on the cage floor so the babies can start nibbling on solid food. They may not show much interest now but around day 21 they're usually interested in solid food and less in nursing from mom.

 

[LT_2022]

@youngsmelisa how are the babies? Have they gone to their new homes yet?

 

[youngsmelisa]

Hi, so I do have some sad news. Mama Loretta ate the runt 😭😭 absolutely broke my heart but I know she wasn't doing to well so life had to take course. I will be splitting sexes up on Thursday also. We have counted again and have 7 girls and 4 boys. Will recheck later again. Mama doesn't bite me anymore wich makes me so dam happy!! Here are some pics

 

[LT_2022]

Poor runt Sometimes life isn't too kind.

That's great that mom rat is less bitey now I feel that pregnant and lactating female rats are more bitey and less people friendly. They just want to be left alone with their babies. Once the babies are active and able to keep themselves occupied, mom relaxes.