Self inflicted hair pulling?

[April]

My oldest male, Tuffy, is really only about 3 months old and recently I've noticed that he is apparently pulling out the hair on his front legs.
It doesn't appear irritated, red, scabby, puffy or in any way infected, but within the past week, it's gone from his foot to up his leg on both legs.

He is living in a coated wire cage alone, with paper pet bedding from Petsmart (it's basically recycled paper washed, dried and turned into bedding). It's not a new addition. He's been on it since I got him several months ago. I do a complete change out about every 3-4 days.

He doesn't have any fleas, or mites, or any other small scratchy critter I could think of. I have never bathed him. His cage is in the same place it's been from day one. I bought a huge amount of food to mix up when I got him, so he is still eating the same as always.

I can't think of any allergic or otherwise reason for him to be doing this. Is it normal? Is he bored and lonely? I plan on introducing him to his sons, but was waiting until they were just a bit bigger. I never see him actually messing with his feet, but I see more skin nightly.

Here are the pics.

 

[jorats]

We call that self barbering. It's common enough and in my experienced due to the most part to stress or boredom. It'll be good when he had his sons to keep him company.

 

[SQ]

He is barbaring himself
He may be doing this because of boredom or loneliness.

Ooops, Jorats beat me to it

 

[April]

Well, it's good to know that it's a common occurrence, I guess. He did go from being my only rat and getting ALL the attention, to being 1 of 6, but he still gets handled daily.

His sons are definitely big enough size wise to meet their papa, but they are just 5 1/2 weeks old. Are they mentally and emotionally ready? Probably a dumb question, but these 2 are definitely still youngsters. They have spent the entire night chasing each other, rough housing, chewing, digging (just ask me, they kept me up all night!) Are they ready for the social interaction of an adult male?

 

[jorats]

I would wait until the babies are at least 8 weeks old. At this age, they are stronger and faster and more ready socially to accept an adult male's teachings.

 

[lilspaz68]

I would wait until the babies are at least 8 weeks old. At this age, they are stronger and faster and more ready socially to accept an adult male's teachings.

Jo, Daddy is only 3 months old, would you still consider him an "adult"?

How much does he weigh?

 

[jorats]

I would wait until the babies are at least 8 weeks old. At this age, they are stronger and faster and more ready socially to accept an adult male's teachings.

Jo, Daddy is only 3 months old, would you still consider him an "adult"?

How much does he weigh?

Oh, he's young! I would probably start with daily play times now then.