i found a mother rat and her babys by the dumpster!

They look older than 5 weeks to me. I suck at guessing ages, so I'll leave this for someone else.

 

[Godmother]

Thinking of keeping them?? :giggle: Guess you are already a dyed-in-the-wool Rat Shacker, then. Welcome!

 

[mamarat]

They are cute. Good luck at the vet.

 

[Maple]

They are cute. Good luck at the vet.

Yes good luck and don't forget to post the update.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

They look older than 5 weeks to me...and you said there was at least 1 male in with them?

 

[Joanne]

They look older than 5 weeks to me...and you said there was at least 1 male in with them?

That's what I'm thinking too - you may be in for WAAAAY more than you bargained for! I hope the vet visit goes well. You might want to discuss (an) E-spay(s) just in case it's needed down the road...

 

[victoria]

Aww, that's so sad. I hope you can get a camera (even a webcam could take stills) to get pics of them. Do they seem to be in good health? Where are you located? They're so lucky you came along...

I'm in the states..They seem in very good health. I had to go and buy a decent cage for the boy. And i'm taking them to the vet in the morning.
They are so much fun to play with! And the momma isn't mean what so ever, And the babes aren't even afraid. I'm thinking about keeping all of them
If the health checks out, And if the boy is old enough i will get him fixed. I guess it's time to buy another CN, :joy:
I guess that makes it 14 rat's :heart:

That's great if you can offer them all a home. Even better that you are thinking of neutering the lone boy... that way he can stay with his family and you don't risk accidental litters. Those kids really are lucky you came along :joy:

ETA You should talk to your vet about estimating their age and discuss the risks that mom or sisters may be preggers. I know it's overwhelming to think about, but those rats look like they are closer to 8 weeks than 5.

 

[xxchelle]

They definitely look older than 5 weeks... and with a male in with them... gah!

Maybe talk to the vet about spaying some?

 

[Ewa]

Ohh yeah , unless those babies are big for there age , I would say way over 5 weeks! I hope everything goes well at the vets!

 

[katie]

Aww, that's so sad. I hope you can get a camera (even a webcam could take stills) to get pics of them. Do they seem to be in good health? Where are you located? They're so lucky you came along...

I'm in the states..They seem in very good health. I had to go and buy a decent cage for the boy. And i'm taking them to the vet in the morning.
They are so much fun to play with! And the momma isn't mean what so ever, And the babes aren't even afraid. I'm thinking about keeping all of them
If the health checks out, And if the boy is old enough i will get him fixed. I guess it's time to buy another CN, :joy:
I guess that makes it 14 rat's :heart:

That's great if you can offer them all a home. Even better that you are thinking of neutering the lone boy... that way he can stay with his family and you don't risk accidental litters. Those kids really are lucky you came along :joy:

ETA You should talk to your vet about estimating their age and discuss the risks that mom or sisters may be preggers. I know it's overwhelming to think about, but those rats look like they are closer to 8 weeks than 5.

we went to the vet today, and there all healthy, Doctor said they don't seem to be preggo's, The little boy is getting fixed June 15th. ( the doctor said there about 3.5 months
old ) husband came home from a trip to find 7 more rat's.. LOL :giggle:

 

[victoria]

Aww, that's so sad. I hope you can get a camera (even a webcam could take stills) to get pics of them. Do they seem to be in good health? Where are you located? They're so lucky you came along...

I'm in the states..They seem in very good health. I had to go and buy a decent cage for the boy. And i'm taking them to the vet in the morning.
They are so much fun to play with! And the momma isn't mean what so ever, And the babes aren't even afraid. I'm thinking about keeping all of them
If the health checks out, And if the boy is old enough i will get him fixed. I guess it's time to buy another CN, :joy:
I guess that makes it 14 rat's :heart:

That's great if you can offer them all a home. Even better that you are thinking of neutering the lone boy... that way he can stay with his family and you don't risk accidental litters. Those kids really are lucky you came along :joy:

ETA You should talk to your vet about estimating their age and discuss the risks that mom or sisters may be preggers. I know it's overwhelming to think about, but those rats look like they are closer to 8 weeks than 5.

we went to the vet today, and there all healthy, Doctor said they don't seem to be preggo's, The little boy is getting fixed June 15th. ( the doctor said there about 3.5 months
old ) husband came home from a trip to find 7 more rat's.. LOL :giggle:

I'm glad they're healthy. I really hope they are not 3 month old or it's almost a given you have a pregnancy on your hands. If you can and your vet is comfortable with spaying rats, I would get the mom spayed because she would be the most likely candidate to be pregnant and the babies are too young for many vets to consider spaying. You should also supplement their diet with a bit of extra calcium and protein as they are so young, you don't know what they were eating before you found them, and you aren't completely sure there are no pregnancies.

I really hope I am proven wrong and none are pregnant, but from what I have seen on the forum, the odds are not favourable. Rats often do not show until the last week of pregnancy, and I don't want you to be shocked if you wake up to eepers one morning.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Ugh as much as is sucks (because this could end with alot of babies) I'm totally with victoria. There is a good chance at least the mom is preggers and you won't know until she balloons.

 

[xxchelle]

3.5 months, and there was what, 6 girls and 1 boy? Plus mom? Yeah, you're likely dealing with at least one pregnancy. I had a rescue rattie here who didn't show until 4 days before giving birth, and she just ballooned and had 11 babies.

If NONE are pregnant... You're the luckiest rat rescuer ever and you then NEED to go buy a lotto ticket! Haha.

 

If NONE are pregnant... You're the luckiest rat rescuer ever and you then NEED to go buy a lotto ticket! Haha.

Agreed haha

 

[maria-mar]

Oh my, what a surprise :giggle:

Aww ER's like this are fun to look at!... Lucky mom and babies were found, lucky mom and babies are fine, lucky mom and babies aren't preggo, lucky you have more ratties to love :heart: