Aging Babies (and convincing me not to adopt)

[Pink]

There is a litter of little PEW babies at animal control right now and I am debating getting back into the world of rats. I don't know their back story other than the litter is local, and was dropped off minus mom. The number of rats on Criagslist and dropped off at Animal Control has been much lower than it used to be up here, so I hope this is a one time occurrence.

I know the babies are young, but I am curious how young. The boys have not dropped their goolies yet, what age does that normally happen? I think their are two boys in the girls tank, but being too young to even drop goolies yet, I don't think its an issue. I did talk to the worker there about it and she said that they were double checking the rats since it is a hard age to sex them. There are no adult males, so I think it will turn out ok.

I'm really curious what age the babies are, I'm thinking between 3-4 weeks old. Their goolies are not dropped at all for the main part, so I'm having a super hard time sexing them. I'm looking at http://www.ratz.co.uk/sexingrats.html and they are definately closer to the three week picture. There is no hair thinning over the goolies at all? Its been years since I've had babies (I rescued adults, so none of my last 20-30 rats were young) and even longer since I had male babies.

Now who is going to convince me I don't want babies? I can do the vet care if needed, but I really don't want to spend the money. I do miss little cuddle bugs though. I'm thinking boys this time, though the "girls" in this litter seem so adventurous.

Pink

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

They should be pretty easy to sex at 3 weeks, as the girls should have nipples and the boys should have testicles unless they have been malnourished. You will get zero help from me in the "convincing me not to" department :giggle:

 

[Pink]

I honestly had a really hard time spotting nipples, or goolies. I swear, I'm not this clueless! I'm starting to think they are closer to 3 weeks. They aren't malnourished, they look fine other than a couple are squinty eye. That concerns me, but it looks more like just recently opened, how long do they stay squinty?

Pink

 

[PitLuvs]

I'd say check out SQ's threads with her babies and match them by day/age with hers? She goes day by day and you'd be able to pin point an age better They sound some awefully young. Poor sweet babies. I say take them all :giggle:

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I don't remember them staying squinty that long. Any chance of pics?

Edit: Or compare to SQ's litter like Pitluvs suggested.

 

[Pink]

No pics unfortunately. My camera is still somewhere in Canada-land, where I am not. Anyone have a link to SQ's thread?

Pink

 

[xxchelle]

Ooo, or the Rat Guide section that goes through day-by-day changes in babies, with pictures of each day?

http://ratguide.com/breeding/baby_devel ... eaning.php

Edit: I love how no one has even tried convincing you NOT to adopt. :giggle:

 

[mamarat]

Here it is
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=23281

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Pink]

I've decided the babies must be barely over three weeks. Way too young to be away from mom. I'm really conflicted over this. I wasn't going to get rats yet, but I do miss them. I'm living on loan money, and I really shouldn't add extra expenses to that. Though there really aren't any other positive options for these babies, I would get them good vet care, a good cage, good food, a happy home. They would be extremely lucky if I took them in. And I can pay for things as needed.

Pink

 

[lilspaz68]

Squinty eyes can be like that for a few days after opening, which can be as late as 17 days...no testes descended makes me think barely 3 weeks of age. They need you Pink. :wink2:

As for sexing young'un's

5 week old bubs with diagrams explaining
girl

boy

and 20 day old babies (Molly's agouti crew)...watch for spacing.
girl

boy

 

[jorats]

Squinty eyes is not good but could be because they are missing mom. Those poor things, I really hope they don't separate them and keep the together as a litter for another week or so.

 

[Dahlas]

They sound adorable.....I would adopt them if I was you....LOL You did not come to the best place to ask for help NOT to adopt.....we are a bunch of inableers.....

 

[Joanne]

Take them all home! Neuter the boys later on and have a nice big group! Do it! Do it! LOL
They need someone who knows what to do and what ratties need...
Lots of room in a double Critter Nation!

 

[Pink]

I've decided I'm not in a position to adopt babies yet. Money has been a huge stesser lately, and I'm trying to reduce the spending in my life. Unfortunately rats can be extraordinarily expensive. Of course I have a skewed history, as I spent several years battling carB and that cost me a LOT in vet bills. I'm living on loans, and I am not the type of person to take debt lightly.

If I still had the cages I would reopen Alaska Rat Rescue just long enough to adopt them out, but I can't justify buying a cage just for that. I emailed several people that had contacted ARR about rats over the last 6 months, but no one has responded, so I'm not sure how quickly I could adopt them out. I'm just not at a good place to handle all of this.

Thanks so much for the help, especially the pictures. Its hard to see such young babies all alone, knowing its unlikely any of them will find good homes. Animal control prices them cheaper than the local petstore here.

Pink

 

[pablowest]

Hi Pink. I agree with you. I don't have yet the means to adopt babies but I really want to care about their species.

 

[KatTheHippie]

Poor babies, but I'm glad you thought it out and made a good financial decision, rather than paying for it later if something went wrong. I hope they get the homes they deserve though, too bad Alaska isn't closer to New York :/