I began breeding rats a little over a month ago and I'm finally at the point where I have to wean the litters.

I have a whole rack system with concrete mixing tubs and 1/2" mesh where the food and water sits on top.

Today I sexed and separated all 4 litters into 2 tubs, the weanlings are 25 days old and have been eating block food while with the mom's.

My question here is are the weaning rats capable of eating the block through the 1/2" mesh like the adults or do I need to put their food in a bowl? I have never observed them eating that way while with the mom's so I don't know if the mom's was getting them did for them. I did put a piece of wood under the food to get them closer for less reach.

What do you all do?