2 males

[Halfdawg]

I had my 2 males together a couple of monthes ago and they were find. I now need to pull the males from the females tubs and place them together to give the girls a break. I tired to put the 2 males together and they started fighting, so I seperated them. Should I pull them and place them in there own tubs for a day and then try to put them together. I am getting to many rats and the girl's could use a break.



Richard

[littleindiangirl]

Yes, seperate them for a couple of days. Then, introduce them into a very clean tub. If they still fight, a bath usually does the trick to get rid of female scent.

They will have to go through the usual rebuilding the social ladder. That is a must, and it can be loud, however, there is a difference between muscling around, and fighting to the death. Stay close, listen and watch..

I find it's useful to have a squirt bottle on hand for when they start getting too heavy with eachother. Usually all of my males are fine, but once in a while you get a young buck really trying to show who's boss.

[Halfdawg]

Thanks Connie
I know you always say not to keep rats alone that they need a friend. I will try what you said. I will pull them and put them in there own tub for a day or two. I will then give them a bath and then put them together in a very clean tub. How do I give them a bath? Put them in the tub with 2 inches of luke warm water and what shampoo do I use or what should I use?

Thanks again
Richard

[littleindiangirl]

If you can get them to sit still! You should consider wearing long sleeves.

Some sensitive shampoo, or a drop of dial soap I think would be fine. Just make sure to rinse well, and dont leave them wet. They dry off pretty quick.

[frankykeno]

Great suggestions Connie. Rich, when they are first together in that clean tub, and you've given them a bit of a wash so they don't have a "community" smell that's different - put in a favored treat and enough of it they don't need to fight over it. Anything from your fridge will do - pizza crust, whatever. Then just keep listening in. When I hear any rat fight break out, I run in, give the enclosure a smack and holler "BAD RAT!!!" (yes it's quite the sight LMAO). Any rats that are having a scuffle always break it up, race to a corner and cuddle each other because apparently I'm the meanest rat in the house.

[Halfdawg]

Thanks Ladies.

Richard

[ThyTempest]

I think they hit it on the nose. We only ever had one semi-major scuffle, and it was easily fixed with a few bits of egg. That was the first time we bred and put the stud male back in with his 2 buddies, wanted to show who was the ratliest rat. Now we move all 5 of our boys around with no problems at all. If one of them has been out for a while, the others give him a sniff for a little bit, then back to sleeping, eating and pooping.

[littleindiangirl]

I'm the meanest rat in the house.

Thats awesome

[FlowRock]

Easier then bathing might be using a little drop of perfume or deodorant, that you rub in their fur, not too much cause it might be toxic if they lick it off, but enough to cover their own odour. And introduce them in a small box, leave them there for some time and then put them in a fresh cleaned cage (clean everything, hides, hammocks... whatever) This routine worked out fine for a friend of mine, who is quite experienced in breeding rats, other than me... Some rumble in the jungle might happen, but they should settle down after a while.
By the way, my two dumbo boys also know I am the most evil rat in town, when they get their two minutes of rage sometimes... a little call for discipline in the cage and the two are "best friends" again...

[frankykeno]

Hmmm not a bad idea about that scenting thing though I'd suggest something even safer and less "chemical" like a bit of vanilla from your kitchen maybe.

Connie, you don't want to know what my female dog thinks I'm the biggest *bleep* of the house when she's in trouble with me LOL.