Communal nesting

[walkinggal]

Hi Everyone,
I am hoping someone might have some feedback for me. As some saw in a previous post, my two girls were both pregnant and have each delivered approx one week apart. They are currently 13 days and 8 days old. I am worried as they are high white, but am hoping all will go well and that they do not carry the MC gene. Mitzy’s babies (not the ones pictured online have been a bit on the smaller side for their age and there were 10 of them but seemed to be doing ok but I was keeping an eye on them). Each had their own nest on opposite sides of the cage. Well this morning, Mitzy and Fitzy have combined their nest into one and there are 10 of Fitzy’s baby’s still but only 9 of Mitzy’s babies left. I searched the cage and there is no other pup in there now.

Is it possible that Mitzy and Fitzy both recognize that her pups may be in trouble and so are pooling resources to share nursing? I’m worried about Fitzy’s larger pups overpowering and not letting Mitzy’s little ones have a chance to nurse. I'm also worried that the pups having to compete may not be good for any of them.

My background is a Vet Tech and I used to specialize in exotics but I haven’t been in the field in a long time and had limited personal experience with breeding situations as I never bred my pets. So my only breeding experience was through work experiences and I don’t recall ever coming across a double litter combined situation.

thanks!
Lisa

 

[SQ]

They need to be in seperate cages now.
Pm me if you want to borrow a temp cage.

If they try to pick up the same baby at the same time, they could kill it by both pulling on it (ie tug of war).
A mama should do fine with 10 in a litter. Average size litters are 12 to 14 babies.
In addition to a good quality block (Harlan tech, oxbow, or Living World/Hagen hamster extrusian block), and daily vegs, feed mamas baby cereal mixed up with soy infant formula or ensure, and added protien such as pieces of boiled or scrambled egg.

I am very sorry that one baby died. Please seperate the two litters and mamas immediately.
Once they are 3 or 4 weeks old then you can let them all play/live together if you want.

If any babies end up with megacolon, early onset will appear in a few weeks when they are being weaned
Late onset megacolon occurs much later and in some cases is mild enough that the ratties can do ok with special care and a special diet.

 

[walkinggal]

Thanks for the offer, that is very kind. I do have another cage and will separate them. I was worried about the two adults missing each other as well as the stress of separating them as they do seem to have a good bond (and could very possibly be sisters). But it looks like it is necessary in this case.

They are eating lab blocks and being supplemented with baby cereal, veggies and egg, so are getting a good healthy diet. I just wasn't sure about the communal nest thing.

Thanks!

Lisa

 

[SQ]

They are getting a bit old, but if you haven't been doing so, you can check bellies on the litter you are concerned about to make sure they have good milk bellies.

Moms need a break from babies so you can put the girls two girls together at that time.
Once little eyes open and babies are running around all over the place, you can put moms and babies together for playtime.

 

[mamarat]

As SQ said let the two mamas have out time together while you clean up the cages. I had 3 mamas and they were separated until the babies were older.

 

[jorats]

I know of a few instances where two moms shared the work load. The one thing I thought was not good is making sure that each rat had their share and that's harder to do with the mom's together. I don't think it would have been a detriment to the litters but best to separate them so you can keep a better eye on them all.
I think 3 weeks old is a good age to put them back together.

 

[walkinggal]

I separated them out yesterday. Both moms and litters seem to be doing well. I've had them out together for playtime