Ugh, my pinkies keep dying
I have been successfully breeding rats for 5 months now but over the past week I have had 2 litters of pinkies die. The only thing that has changed other than the weather is i switched from aspen to pine bedding. It's getting into the 70s here in Florida and I haven't had the ac on I their room. Not sure if that is the issue. Just at a loss overall. Any help would be appreciated.
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Re: Ugh, my pinkies keep dying
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Deborah
Pine is fine I have been using it for a decade, temps are fine too 70 and mid 70's is ideal.
How old are your females? How many babies were produced in each litter?
Do you keep the male in? Do you do communal birthing?
I have 1 male to 2 females. They are big litters, like 12 each. Both tubs have had pups that were still nursing I'm them as well. The mothers are about 8-10 months old. I feed mazuri rodent.
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Re: Ugh, my pinkies keep dying
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jesst
I have 1 male to 2 females. They are big litters, like 12 each. Both tubs have had pups that were still nursing I'm them as well. The mothers are about 8-10 months old. I feed mazuri rodent.
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There is your problem having babies with such a difference in age means the bigger one get to eat while the other do not some may survive at times but if you breed for food you really want to put females together that have the same size litter.
You also want to remove the male as well.
Having the female birthing individually is really ideal, especially when the skin of the babies is so fragile during the first 5 to 7 days.
Also try to avoid harem breeding if this is what you do with rats it takes it's toll fast when they are pregnant and nursing at the same time a good rotation is better not only for the female but also the babies.
Finally get ready to replace your female soon.
Re: Ugh, my pinkies keep dying
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Deborah
There is your problem having babies with such a difference in age means the bigger one get to eat while the other do not some may survive at times but if you breed for food you really want to put females together that have the same size litter.
You also want to remove the male as well.
Having the female birthing individually is really ideal, especially when the skin of the babies is so fragile during the first 5 to 7 days.
Also try to avoid harem breeding if this is what you do with rats it takes it's toll fast when they are pregnant and nursing at the same time a good rotation is better not only for the female but also the babies.
Finally get ready to replace your female soon.
Ok, thank you. I will build a maternity rack this weekend. In one of the tubs, I did feed off most of the pups but the pinkies still didn't survive.
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Re: Ugh, my pinkies keep dying
Quote:
Originally Posted by
melcvt00
I would stick a thermometer in a tub temporarily, too. It could be getting pretty toasty in there with room temp at 70. My mice are in my basement, at 60 degrees. I can feel the heat coming out when I open their tubs (holes drilled in the top, not completely open for air).
I'm going to turn the ac on. Thank you.
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