Bad momma rats :(

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.

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

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

Not all of us separate prego females.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wilomn

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. :gj:

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wilomn

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

---

She :P

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bad-one

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.