Holy Cow

I just woke up because i heard my feeder rats squealing and the big girl that got to big to feed popped out soem babies!(found out how she got so big!LOL) I am completely unprepared for this should i sperate her from the rest right now? i have one 20 gallon where i put all my rats to feed in and a little critter keeper its 10" by 7" would that be ok for a nursing medium sized rat or should i go the the store and get a 10 gallon or something????

well i guess ill check out that rattius maximus site.

um... leave them alone or put them in a new thing?

I always leave mine alone, and havent had any troubles then I just pick them out as the grow to the size I need and feed them off.

seperate them for sure

I always leave them wherever they have their babies..most definitely for the first 24-48 hours. That way they get a little adjusted to the new babies...I have noticed also that the others in the cage will 'babysit' for the mother. I would leave them unless you see any aggression because of the baby situation. Good luck!

Wendi

yea i noticed the other female always takin one or 2 to her hide, well thanx every1

Yeah, rats have awsome parental skills, like I said I always leave mine with no troubles.

Yes-they are awesome! One of my 2 females just had a litter a couple of days ago and the other female takes anywhere from one to five into her little "nest" area...she has no milk or anything-she just helps keep them warm while the mother takes care of the others! It is so cute to watch them! And the dad will lay with them occassionally as well!

Wendi

is it normal for the mother to just leave her babys and rest in a different area w/out them almost like shes takin a break?

I would remove the other rats (leaving just the mom and babies in the cage.) It would be easier and less stressful than removing the babies themselves!

Yes-it is very normal for the mother of the babies to go away from the babies and rest...this is usually when I see my other female or my male go and "sit" with the babies to keep them warm. They will all be fine-especially if you see little white milk filled bellies on the babies. You may have one or two that dies-almost always happens with mine-mice and rats...Just relax and they will be just fine. Keep a watch on them for any warning signs that any of them are stressed-but otherwise you are doing great!

Wendi

thanx again