Re: How old until weened?
I always pull at 3 1/2 - 4 weeks of age. They should be eating solid food, and may still nurse on mom here and there, but they really dig the rat food.
Mine will ALWAYS weigh over 50 grams. No exceptions whatsoever. If you've kept careful records, and you know they are at least 3 1/2 weeks and over 50 grams, I see no reason why to not pull mom.
I always put the weaners in with a large girl that isn't nursing to fuss over them.
Some people only pull once they are 4 or 5 weeks, but I find that my way works well for both our babies and mothers. (5 week old rats are too big for my snakes, being close to 150 grams by that age)
Re: How old until weened?
I weaned all my feeders at 3 weeks.
Re: How old until weened?
Id say they are atleast 4 weeks, and weight around 65-70 grams when just weighed. I just want to get them seperated since I have them in tanks, and 11 rats in a tank is starting to stink more and more the bigger they get. I really need to get my rack finished.
Re: How old until weened?
If they are 4 weeks you are good to go, also remember at 5/6 weeks they reach sexual maturity so if not fed off by than you definitely want to separate them by sex.
Re: How old until weened?
Yeah thats what I read. I also read its dangerous for females to become pregnant that small. What is a good weight for females before I get them into the breed tubs?
Re: How old until weened?
Re: How old until weened?
They can be weaned at 3 weeks, but I prefer to pull Mom out at 4-5 weeks.
I'm sure that males can reproduce at 6 weeks, but I've never had a female produce so young. I generally separate sexes before 6 weeks, but not always and I haven't had a problem with that yet. I generally breed my females when they're 3 months or more.
Mark