A crazy idea?

[n0wuseeme]

Ok, well this is probably going to sound crazy, but am fostering some baby rats. Yesterday I picked up some feeders, deciding that it was time to switch 2 of our smaller snakes from adult mice to rats. I brought home 2 fuzzies, only to find that my fiance had already fed both snakes. I didn't want to waste the food, so I had the idea that I could raise them up until they got a little bigger, or wait a few days to feed them off. Upon doing some research and comparing pictures I realized that they babies haven't been weaned yet and obv wouldn't survive on regular rat food, so here's what I did. I picked up some Kitten Milk Replacent... and a young (4- months old) female rat from the pet store. She took to them surprisingly well... at first she ignored the babies, but then brought one into her hide and started cleaning in, and eventually the other one as well. So I have been feeding them the milk, while she does the rest of the work.
So far, they all seem ok, but. . . how long will the peace last? Is there a chance she'll change her mind about taking care of them?

[carlson]

If she's taken them on like that I don't think she'll randomly decided to kill them granted rats think weird at times but enough food and water an they should be good, I know of people who place babies with good moms if their mom isn't a good one. I also have a buddy who has four moms with babies together at all times they share and were taking from day old pinks to 3 week olds the moms will just share them. He has had a few litters lost doing this but it's come from tug of war over pinks. I myself haven't had any problems with females killing smaller rats wither they are another rats babies or not. My blue girl lost her litter so I put her with her daughters she was still freaking so I gave her three of one of my other girls week olds and she's doing good with them she stopped spazzing too (I think she was freaking looking for her 13 pinks they were still born) I hope this answered your questions and doesn't sound like rambling

[coolballsdave]

I have always had a lactating female to throw babies in with if needed. From my experience, I would say that if she's adopted them they shouldn't have any problems from here on out.

[n0wuseeme]

Thanks guys, I hope it continues to go well.
My main concern was that since I just got her from the pet store yesterday I don't know anything about her, whether she's given birth before or could even possibly be pregnant or... who knows!
Hopefully his is good practice for her in how to be a mama when her time comes : )

[n0wuseeme]

I guess I was originally hoping I would get lucky and she would just happen to be able to nurse them lol

[carlson]

If all else fails you can ask your pet store if they have any females that they use as breeders if they can part with one who recently had a litter and expain what's up they may sell one. My first pair I got from the pet store they sold me a prego female and her mate

[Capray]

Rats naturally take in abandoned young if they have the resources to maintain them, it's kind of cute. As long as you don't freak out the mother and keep feeding her well, she will raise the babies. I think they may even start lactating, but I'm not sure.

[n0wuseeme]

Well, one little one didn't make it : ( I'm not sure exactly what went wrong, but when I took him out to feed him, he was acting strange... the next morning I woke up to find him pushed outside the nest, stiff. The good news though is that the other guy is doing well! I've caught him nibbling on lab blocks and his eyes are open now. "Mama" rat is very nervous and protective, and ever since we lost the first guy, I've stopped bugging her so much, and haven't even taken him out in 2 days. I've soaked the lab blocks in the kitten milk, and filled a small water bowl that I hope he can reach. I'm not sure exactly how she's keeping him so healthy, but she is!

[Capray]

Sorry to hear, but glad the other one is okay! She is keeping him healthy be keeping him warm, and licking him to stimulate his bloodflow and defecation.

[Evanthomas]

Cute! How's the little guy doing now?