BABIES - Questions, Questions, Questions.....

[capslock]

I have a few questions about three week old rats.

My first question is, how big should they be?
I know that because the mother of this litter is rather small, and the litter was large (16) the babies are most likely a bit smaller than most litters.

How old should they be before I offer them seeds?
I am paranoid about the chance of choking, do you think that they are old enough?

Is it now safe to put more toys, hammocks, etc in the cage, if not how long should I wait?

What is the best age to separate females from males?
Some say four weeks, some say three, some say six?
I always thought four or five, but I could be wrong.

After I take the boys away from mom, should I still give them supervised playtimes with her for while?

How long should I wait before placing them in new homes?
What is the best age for them?

Thanks!

 

[minuke99]

My first question is, how big should they be?
I know that because the mother of this litter is rather small, and the litter was large (16) the babies are most likely a bit smaller than most litters.

How old are they? Babies come in all different shapes and sizes. as long as they have a milk band (a band of white across their tummies, they are getting milk and should be fine. In sucha large litter, some may pass. As Steve Irwin would say, it's just Nature's Way.

How old should they be before I offer them seeds?
I am paranoid about the chance of choking, do you think that they are old enough?

Please please please don't feed them seeds. Momma rat should be on a good quality lab block to ensure she is getting ideal nutrition. You can also supplement her with baby cereal, or Ensure. Babies will start these solids when they are ready. Momma will share with them.

Is it now safe to put more toys, hammocks, etc in the cage, if not how long should I wait?

I know most people remove hammocks until babies can move about comfortably. You'll see this happen soon after they open their eyes. Once they are happily climbing about, toys and hammocks should be safe. Just be reasonable.

What is the best age to separate females from males?
Some say four weeks, some say three, some say six?
I always thought four or five, but I could be wrong.

After I take the boys away from mom, should I still give them supervised playtimes with her for while?

Boys should be seperated from Mom at 5 weeks. Do not let them play together, and if possible house them in a different part of the house. Rats are VERY fertile, and many an accidental litter has happened even in the most controlled circumstances. Unless you're planning on getting them neutered, keep them apart. As long as boys are housed with at least one other sibling, they will be fine.

How long should I wait before placing them in new homes?
What is the best age for them?

As per above, boys should be seperated at 5 weeks, and can be rehoused anytime after. Girls can stay with Mom as long as need be until you can find them a new home.

Good Luck!

 

[capslock]

They are three weeks old.

Thanks for the advice!


And Mom has been getting all her nutrients (soya formula, blcoks, etc)

 

[SQ]

My first question is, how big should they be?
I know that because the mother of this litter is rather small, and the litter was large (16) the babies are most likely a bit smaller than most litters.

As previously said they should be fine as long as they have milk bands, are eating, growing and they should be a bit chubby not really thin.

How old should they be before I offer them seeds?
I am paranoid about the chance of choking, do you think that they are old enough?
Never feed seeds to rats except as a rare, occassional treat. Don't feed to babies.

Mom should be eating a good quality lab block (suggest Harlan 2014 or 2018), Oxbow Regal Rat or Living World/Hagen Hamster extrusian block. She also needs vegs daily, baby cereal mixed with soy infant formula (or ensure or water if you can't get the infant formula) two or three times a day, and extras such as a bit of boiled egg.
The babies will start to try foods when they are old enough and their mom will show them what is good to eat.

Is it now safe to put more toys, hammocks, etc in the cage, if not how long should I wait?
People usually wait until 3 weeks or so. But accidents can happen. Babies love climbing and running on wheels (large solid wheels, not wheels with rungs.)

Some say four weeks, some say three, some say six?
I always thought four or five, but I could be wrong.
Separate at 5 weeks.

After I take the boys away from mom, should I still give them supervised playtimes with her for while? No playtime with mom or with sisters unless they are neutered or spayed.

How long should I wait before placing them in new homes?
I would wait until 6 weeks, although 5 weeks for boys is ok.
Girls stay with mom until 6 weeks and can stay with her forever.

Adopt up in same sex pairs or more. Babies need at least one sibling to play with and to help them adjust to a new home.

 

[capslock]

I know about the diet, I have read lots.
My other rats like a few kinds of seeds so I keep a bit around.

Yes, I am going to adopt out nothing but same sex pairs.
Two or four, because I have an even number and I don't want to mess that up.
No more than four because I figure that anyone who wants more than that probaby doesn`t have the best of intentions, especially because they are free.
However, I figured I shouldn`t charge for them because they aren`t pedigree, quality rats.
If I charge a fee people will probably just go to the pet store.
I plan on thoroughly screening adopters, questionare, interview, inspection of where they would be keeping the rats, legal agreement contract, etc.

I think that I will keep them until they are at least six or seven weeks, though.
I also plan on keeping in touch with adopters for at least 18 months.

I am keeping a pair of males aswell. (I will be spaying my girls soon)

Is there anything else that I should consider?

 

[xxchelle]

I would still charge an adoption fee. Just something small, doesn't have to be huge. Pet store rats aren't "quality" rats either, but they charge.

Maybe find a price that's above feeder-rat price but below pet-rat price, and charge that as an adoption fee?

 

[capslock]

I would still charge an adoption fee. Just something small, doesn't have to be huge. Pet store rats aren't "quality" rats either, but they charge.

Maybe find a price that's above feeder-rat price but below pet-rat price, and charge that as an adoption fee

We only have one pet store in town that sells rats and they don't have them seperated into feeder/pets, the rats are just rats.
They are all only $2 so I really don't think that an adoption fee will work in my favor.

What I do think will work in my favor is that the rats at the pet shop aren't ever handled, so they are very skiddish and bitey.
Mine are SUPER friendly.