Fisrt Litter Questions???????

Ok, I was planing on having this all worked out before I had babies but I guess I got lucky and bought a prego. I have had my trio for only about 2 weeks now, and when I came home from work today I had a little surprise.

My Albino female was all huddled into a corner of the cage so I looked in and wow there she lay on 7 little pinkies.

What my question is, is can I move them to clean the cage, or should I just clean around the babies? Also can I clean around them and take the mom out while I clean?

At what age do they start moving around? I have the trio in a rodent cage rather than an aquarium. So I guess I'm asking when I need to go get an aquarium.

Are we talking about mice or rats? Either way, leave them alone for a few days before messing with them and cleaning.

Rats or mice?

EDIT: bah....Robin beat me to it! :P

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Originally Posted by JLC

Rats or mice?

EDIT: bah....Robin beat me to it! :P

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Sorry, they're rats.

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Originally Posted by smasharama13

Sorry, they're rats.

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Rats aren't bad as long as they trust you. I'd say wait 3-4 days and then clean the cage. A few days of stink is better than momma killing the babies most of the time

The wire cage they're in is about 18" x 30" so I think I could spot clean most of the cage without disturbing her and the babies, but I'll wait for a few days.


So when do they start moving around where I need to worry about them getting out? They'll all end up as frozen feeders soon enough, I just don't need them getting out.

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Originally Posted by smasharama13

The wire cage they're in is about 18" x 30" so I think I could spot clean most of the cage without disturbing her and the babies, but I'll wait for a few days.


So when do they start moving around where I need to worry about them getting out? They'll all end up as frozen feeders soon enough, I just don't need them getting out.

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How far is the spacing in the wires? I wouldn't be terribly worried about it unless the openings are big enough for them to fit their head in. Chancs are by the time they have their eyes open, they won't be able to fit inbetween most wire spacing but it depends on the size

Little rats can get out of pretty much anything with bars. I'd suggest you pop momma rat and her young into a nice private 10 gallon tank with a secure lid, water bottle and food dish so she can raise them in peace and quiet. Most female rats will not fuss if you handle their young, just watch her for nipping at you when you move her and the pinks.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Little rats can get out of pretty much anything with bars. I'd suggest you pop momma rat and her young into a nice private 10 gallon tank with a secure lid, water bottle and food dish so she can raise them in peace and quiet. Most female rats will not fuss if you handle their young, just watch her for nipping at you when you move her and the pinks.

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I think I'll go get a 10G and move them in a day or so. I know that they could get out of the cage they're in now once they start walking around.


I'll be going to get the tank now.


Thanks for all the advise guys.