Holy Moly Guacamole!

That's probably best Evan. She did lose one in her last litter that wasn't getting fed, but I'll watch to see if she starts to figure out splitting her litter and feeding in shifts. She's a very good momma!

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

Just wanted so say congrats! Awesome number...save some of the females maybe you have a genetic trait for large litters that will be passed on ;)

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Thanks Warren - that's the plan! Scarlett's had nice 15 and 16 in her litters, so I was already considering keeping one of hers already. I think Foxy holds the record so far!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Thanks Evan - no pinkie eaters here. What's the absolutely earliest age to pull babies from their mom. The 3.5 week olds are drinking water and eating dry food. But poor Scarlett had two litters back to back this last go-round because she had babies while I was in NC and was still in with Caesar.

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First a big congrats on a nice size litter.

If the babies can hold their food then they can be weaned. Since you say they are eating and drinking you shouldn't have any issues. I recommend you move some of the babies to the new mom and mix them in with the older ones for a couple of hours (this will imprint their sent on the babies)...then pull the older ones.

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

First a big congrats on a nice size litter.

If the babies can hold their food then they can be weaned. Since you say they are eating and drinking you shouldn't have any issues. I recommend you move some of the babies to the new mom and mix them in with the older ones for a couple of hours (this will imprint their sent on the babies)...then pull the older ones.

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Thanks Sean - my only concern is the stress on this mom - as she's been essentially nursing litters for 8 weeks straight! I'd rather lose a few babies then risk the health of a good mother who really needs a rest.

What are your thoughts?

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Originally Posted by rabernet

What are your thoughts?

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I would say it depends on her condition. If she still looks good and plump then she should be fine with taking on a few newbies. The 3.5 week babies are actually taking more of toll on her since they drink so much more.

If she is starting to look real thin and emaciated (sp?) then you pry want to pass and let the original mom try her best.

What type of performance enhancers do you give your rats?!

I tend to wean right around 3.5-4 weeks. Right about that time the babies can eat and drink on their own and the mothers are going out of their minds to get away. As far as fostering, if it came down to leaving 19 babies with a mother or fostering some to a mother with older babies, I would foster them.

[QUOTE=rabernet]So - Foxy just had her second litter - of 19!!!!!! I THINK she's done, but she might not be.[QUOTE]

:eek: WOW Foxy is a hell of a mama and your male must be a real stud too ;) .

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Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons

your male must be a real stud too ;) .

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Karl is the man! Oh, you mean the rat male? :D

dang that's a big litter! i'd try weaning scarlett's litter and fostering some of them out to her too as long as she doesn't seem to be losing any weight or anything from nursing her back to back litters.