Bad momma rats :(

[bad-one]

I had two female rats who I had raised up together have their first litters. After the births they did tussle sometimes (before they had been just fine :/ ), probably due to being protective of their babies. They also stole one anothers babies all the time.

Today though (7-10 days after birthing), I decided to give both litters to the older experienced females to foster. I noticed, while cleaning the cage, that about half of the babies had nips on them that were healing! I just put one down who had a massive chunk taken out of its head that was still alive and had the wound healing

It was really disturbing to say the least. I think the moms may have fought over babies or were just overly rough.

I hope the babies make it, they all seemed underfed as well. I've decided to put down the two females responsible.

[SlitherSister]

sorry to come across as harsh but you are the one responsible

there is thread after thread of people who suggest & prefer to separate the females prior to delivery & through out the nursing duration. Maybe that would be the best method to follow if you don't want to risk loss

[wilomn]

Or it could be that he just got two lousy moms.

Not all of us separate prego females.

[Turbo Serpent]

Or it could be that he just got two lousy moms.

Not all of us separate prego females.

Like Wes said some of us don't separate all of them out. I have some females that prefer to be alone, and then I have some that will stay in with the male or in a group of pregnant females.

Each animal has its own personality you just have to find what works best.

[cardell75]

I produce about a thousand rats per month and never seperate the females. As a matter of fact, I make it a point to have at least 2 female per maternity tub. I have seen them from time to time with nips, missing tails, missing toes etc.. on the babies and generally just let the moms figure it out, if I saw something completely out of the ordinary I would seperate the moms and retry them again. If that was unsuccessful I would have a couple of more f/t feeders.
The point I guess is, in the future I wouldnt jump the gun on euthenizing, give them one more go around, sometimes rats just dont get along, kinda like humans, and just do better in a different environment.

Chuck

[bad-one]

Or it could be that he just got two lousy moms.

She

Anyways, my good old dumbo mom is taking care of all 18 that are left and doing a great job at that. I had to put down 4 in the end that were severely wounded.

I'm still going to put these moms down and make them feeders. I just get the feeling they were lousy moms, they didn't even feed the babies enough and some were getting really skinny.

[snakesRkewl]

I'm still going to put these moms down and make them feeders. I just get the feeling they were lousy moms, they didn't even feed the babies enough and some were getting really skinny.

Probably the best choice.
I separate females as they get a few days from dropping babies, but I have the space and the extra rats to do so, and can afford them to take time off between litters, but it isn't a necessity at all.
I've done it both ways and had success both ways.

Skinny moms rarely make good momma rats, good choice on feeding them i'd say.