Having some problems.

Im having a problem with my rats and I really dont know what to do. The female laid a litter of 5 a few weeks ago and all have been well but today when I went to check on them, I could only find one. I moved the bedding around and came across a dead one and one that was half eaten. Anyone know whats going on? All 5 were alive last night but only one is today.:confused:

Seems like a fairly small litter. Most of the reasons moms kill the babies are
1. She feels they are unsafe
2. Lack of milk production
3. They are sick

I'm sure there are a few more but these are the main ones I have experienced

Have you touched them at all? That could have something to do with it, also is she in the tank alone? Other then that I'd consider what Jake said.

What are you feeding them?

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Originally Posted by Holbeird

Have you touched them at all? That could have something to do with it, also is she in the tank alone? Other then that I'd consider what Jake said.

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Nope ive never touched them, the only other rat in with her is the male.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

What are you feeding them?

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I use Harlan-Teklad rodent block.

When I bred rats I would cover the fronts of the cage with black paper to give her a more secure habitat. I've never had any mothers eat their young though, so I might be of no help. There is a really good rat diet recipe here some where. It is a really good one for breeder rats to be on too. I'll see if I can find it.

Its http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=28391 Jimi

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Originally Posted by jim020cricket

When I bred rats I would cover the fronts of the cage with black paper to give her a more secure habitat. I've never had any mothers eat their young though, so I might be of no help.

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They are on a rack so I dont know if I can cover anything up. The odd thing is they were fine for the first 3 weeks and last night but today all but one were dead. I think this was her first litter, does a first litter have anything to do with that?

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Originally Posted by worldcupkeeper

They are on a rack so I dont know if I can cover anything up. The odd thing is they were fine for the first 3 weeks and last night but today all but one were dead. I think this was her first litter, does a first litter have anything to do with that?

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Possible yes.