Holy Moly Guacamole!

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

Quick question - I have two nursing mothers right now. Twix has 8 two week old babies, Scarlett is still nursing 10 3.5 week old babies.

Can either of them foster some of these babies, even with older babies of their own?

:eek: NO WAY!!! :eek:


That's just NUTS!!!

Wish I could answer your question on fostering, but I've no experience in such matters. I do hope you can get that poor girl some help though! :eek:

:eek: Congrats! As far as fostering .... I THINK?



If I'm not mistaken, I think Rap had a litter of 17 that did fine...
*wheres Becky* ?????????? I have no clue. :oops:

But Congrats!!!!! :D

geez what kind of mutant genetics have you come across? When I start breeding my own, i'm getting my breeders from you sistah!

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Originally Posted by JLC

:eek: NO WAY!!! :eek:


That's just NUTS!!!

Wish I could answer your question on fostering, but I've no experience in such matters. I do hope you can get that poor girl some help though! :eek:

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Biggest litter to date for me, I think 17 was the largest before. I had to stay home today because my fridge broke (but working remotely). So, I had to go "hide" the ratties in the bedroom. She started to have the babies shortly after the move and I sat there long enough to watch #6 be born - my first litter I've been home or awake to witness the birth.

Want to know what's really scarey and off topic? Joanna and I joke often about sharing a brain - I IM'd her this morning to tell her I was working from home because of my fridge and was waiting for the office to open - SHE was waiting for an appropriate time to call her landlord because THEIR refridgerator was broken! (insert Twilight Zone theme music here!)

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

geez what kind of mutant genetics have you come across? When I start breeding my own, i'm getting my breeders from you sistah!

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And this is a girl that I was advised once before looked to be an older rat (she takes much longer to get pregnant than others - but when she does - she doesn't mess around)!

Judging by the size of her litters, I think she's still rather fertile and I think I may have to consider promoting one of her babies. She used to be a bit of a bully with the other rats until after she had her first litter, then her maternal instincts kicked in and she's much sweeter to the other ratties!

Wow, way to go Foxy!! I try to foster babies onto mom's that have litters that are about the same age. Sometimes pinkies just can't compete with the larger pups for milk, but some moms are better at raising different size babies. If you try, I would recommend fostering them over to Scarlett, as her litter is probably starting to wean now. If you have need of pinkies, you could just cull a few.

-Evan

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.

I've weaned litters at about 3.5 weeks before, and they do fine. I give them moist bread for a couple days just to make sure they get something if they aren't eating the rodent block very well yet. I would be hesitant to drop another litter on Scarlette if she just went back to back though. Hmm, you could just leave all the pinks with Foxy and see how she does with them over the next couple days before making any decisions.

-Evan

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 ;)

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.

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

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

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That's why the breeder tub is affectionately referred to as Caesar's Palace! :rolleyes:

Maybe I should hold back a son too.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

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

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LOL Tim! I feed them Becky's mix! And sometimes I buy some bird feed (just nuts and sunflower seeds) to mix in with it as well.

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Originally Posted by mlededee

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.

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Well, seeing as Scarlett's kids are slated to be fed off this Saturday, I think I'll go ahead and pull them and get her set up with 1/2 the litter. Thanks guys!

Ive fostered newborns to a girl with 1 week babies, thats going fine, but I guess you should go with hwateveyone else says. I say try to feed them off. After every snake eats this week, follow up with a pinkie. What harms will 6 grams do?

And congrats! Nice litter!

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Originally Posted by Petboy15

Ive fostered newborns to a girl with 1 week babies, thats going fine, but I guess you should go with hwateveyone else says. I say try to feed them off. After every snake eats this week, follow up with a pinkie. What harms will 6 grams do?

And congrats! Nice litter!

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Nah, I don't think I'll feed them off this week - we'll see how this fostering goes - Scarlett is already licking bums, but I can't say I've seen her nurse them yet - so I'll keep an eye on them and see if they need to go back to Foxy.

Trey, if you're reading this - I've got some pinkies for you if you still need some this week! ;)

Is the stud a particular type of rat or just your ole fashioned lab rat? I have found the females that have been with one of my beige hooded males have more babies.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

Is the stud a particular type of rat or just your ole fashioned lab rat? I have found the females that have been with one of my beige hooded males have more babies.

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He's a black hooded that I chose from a feeder bin at Petland when he was a few months old. He was very well endowed! :rolleyes:

OFF TOPIC......

just curious, If i started breeding my own rats and mice and needed great advice like I find here and found a rat/mouse forum, would I be shunned by them because I feed off the babies? :confuzd:

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

OFF TOPIC......

just curious, If i started breeding my own rats and mice and needed great advice like I find here and found a rat/mouse forum, would I be shunned by them because I feed off the babies? :confuzd:

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Yes, most likely. I didn't find any forums that weren't rat lovers as pets.

if you needed great advice like what you find here, why would you need a rat/mouse forum in the first place? :P and yeah, i think you better not mention to them that you feed the babies. talk about some drama. :D

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

OFF TOPIC......

just curious, If i started breeding my own rats and mice and needed great advice like I find here and found a rat/mouse forum, would I be shunned by them because I feed off the babies? :confuzd:

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Definately...and if they find out where you live they very well might call the Humane Society...most of the rat fanciers are fanatics about being Anti-feeder.:colbert:

They will make you sign an agreement about not breeding and not feeding any potential offspring.

heh...boogers. looks like i'm stuck here :rolleyes:

:rofl:

Tim and Robin. I have talked to a couple friends about what rats have the best litters. According to most of them, and what Monica and myself have seen, the Black Hoodeds seem to have the largest litters and the largest babies.

Robin, as far as fostering, I don't think you will have a problem with it. On that note I will say that we had a litter once of 26 pinkies. Mom fed them all by herself, and we only lost 1. So, if you pay close attention to her, and she is a good mother, she may not need any help. And, I would definitley hold a few girls from that liter, as I tend to believe that there are some genetics involved in large litter moms. We have been holding back babies from large litters for about 1.5 years now, and frequently have litters of 20 and over.

OK - so, here's what I've done. I first moved 9 babies to Scarlett. She was cleaning them, but not nursing them, and they were starting to get cool to the touch, so I considered putting them back with Mom.


Then...I decided to move Twix's two week old babies in with Scarlett (which will also mean a shorter time nursing for her) and put the babies in with Twix. Twix took MUCH more interest in the babies and has nursed them, and Scarlett readily accepted the 2 week olds and is allowing them to nurse.

So all is well in the Abernethy household! :D

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Originally Posted by muddoc

Tim and Robin. I have talked to a couple friends about what rats have the best litters. According to most of them, and what Monica and myself have seen, the Black Hoodeds seem to have the largest litters and the largest babies.

Robin, as far as fostering, I don't think you will have a problem with it. On that note I will say that we had a litter once of 26 pinkies. Mom fed them all by herself, and we only lost 1. So, if you pay close attention to her, and she is a good mother, she may not need any help. And, I would definitley hold a few girls from that liter, as I tend to believe that there are some genetics involved in large litter moms. We have been holding back babies from large litters for about 1.5 years now, and frequently have litters of 20 and over.

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That's very interesting, Tim! I do tend to have litters that average 15+, and was getting bored with the black hooded offspring and berkie offspring - but I'll take prolific and deal with boring! :D

Glad to hear everything is resolved Robin. It is definitely pertinent to take care of the snake food.

Glad to hear that Robin...peace and harmony for all.

well now robin aren't you smart! you came up with the best solution of all. :P

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Originally Posted by mlededee

well now robin aren't you smart! you came up with the best solution of all. :P

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Yayyyy! And everyone's happy! :D

Okay Robin we HAVE TO STOP SHARING A BRAIN! Not only are our fridges now dieing on the same days but what you did with option #2 is exactly what I was going to suggest you do. I call it "rat baby roulette" around here. In other words, wean the ones that can be weaned, put the half raised ones with the mom that's been nursing a long time so she doesn't have so much more to do, put some of the newborns with the mom that was nursing the half raised litter and leave the original mom with not so many. I've done it before myself Robin and it's always worked out fine for our colony females.

I swear I can't remember which of us has custody of the brain some days girl! LOL

Oh and I would definitely keep back her best daughter at some point. Those Black Hooded males, they really have it going on!

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Okay Robin we HAVE TO STOP SHARING A BRAIN! Not only are our fridges now dieing on the same days but what you did with option #2 is exactly what I was going to suggest you do. I call it "rat baby roulette" around here. In other words, wean the ones that can be weaned, put the half raised ones with the mom that's been nursing a long time so she doesn't have so much more to do, put some of the newborns with the mom that was nursing the half raised litter and leave the original mom with not so many. I've done it before myself Robin and it's always worked out fine for our colony females.

I swear I can't remember which of us has custody of the brain some days girl! LOL

Oh and I would definitely keep back her best daughter at some point. Those Black Hooded males, they really have it going on!

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OMG - Get away from me! This just happens WAY too much to be very comfortable any more! LOL

I think I'll retain custody, if it's ok with you! :P

We'll work out a shared custody arrangement somehow my friend LOL. Congrats on the lovely big litter btw, that's a really nice number. They all doing okay so far with the momma switch? We've got Jet birthing as I type (she's Alita's self black daughter). She doesn't usually birth big numbers but is a really nice solid dependable girl.

Seems to be going well - Scarlett is layed out on her side right now nursing Twix's litter, and Twix is hovering over the babies. I didn't know she had her litter until a few days after she had them, because she stayed so hunched up over them and didn't leave them for two days! So, I'm hoping that maternal instinct tranfers to these.

Usually good momma rats will be good to any nursing baby rat, at least in my experience so far. I've never had one reject fosters. Sometimes they take a bit of time, almost seem a bit confused by the sudden change in "their" babies but eventually everyone gets a teat and the butts get cleaned. :) I swear I had one awhile back that looked like she was counting babies LOL. Kind of "hmm I just had 5 didn't I? 10? Well isn't that odd! Oh well..."...nurse...nurse...lick...lick....

Yeah Jo - it was sort of funny with Twix - "Wait!!! What are you doing with my babies? Wha???? What's this? That was an easy birth!" and picks each one up with her front paws to start cleaning bums and get everyone settled.

Scarlett was "Whew! Damn teat suckers are GONE! Oh crap - there's more of them?" Plop over on side and with a big sigh says "Come on - there's one for each of you!"

i love rat mommas. :)

One of ours is so smart she always sets herself up quite nicely. No matter where I place her food dish she nudges it over right beside the water bottle spigot. Then she flops over on her side, starts nursing and can reach over to sip or grab a snack without disturbing her busy litter. I love the smart ones! LOL

We had a neat experience last night. Jet ended up delivering in the resting adult female enclosure (we had temporarily placed her there while shuffling rats around). Anyways after she was done we removed her to her maternity tub and were going to quickly check her newborn litter of 10, then settle them in with mama. The other females, who obviously saw Jet give birth, all became very agitated and as a group tried to drive Mike and I off the now "motherless" babies. Mike had to put on gloves and hold the other adult females back while I removed the babies and tucked them in with their momma. I just thought it was very neat how the other females (all experienced mothers themselves) immediately tried to protect the babies like that. :)