We have an agouti hooded rat momma named Chance. She was originally bought as a feeder but when the snake refused a meal, we kept her. She grew too large to feed to anyone so we kept her as a breeder female. She has had one litter before this, and she let them all die around the age of 1 week. This time, she had a litter of 6. All was well. We fed two off, leaving her with 4. We picked two females from the litter to become future breeders. Then I noticed they were beginning to get a little thin, and there was a dead one in the corner. So last night we gave them some KMR and put them back in with Chance. This morning we find one dead and two barely alive. The two that are barely alive are still with us. My fiance is downstairs trying to keep them alive. Last I checked they were showing some improvement. (He said he saw one actually take a breath instead of just gasp for air.)

I want to give them a chance to live. I always like to at least give them a chance. If it looks like they won't make it after giving them a chance, then we will put them down. What can we do for them?

And the mother. My golden rule is 3 litters, but this is her 2nd and for both litters she has just let them die. I'm just so mad at her. I know its technically not her fault. She is doing what comes naturally to her. She has water, food, clean bedding. The mother rats even get treats and chew toys. I suspect her of being pregnant again because she gave birth in the tub with the male.

Rah! I just don't know about her. I'm so mad that two litters died because of her. And with both litters we wanted to keep one or two of the babies. The two we have downstairs are a black hooded and an agouti hooded. We were planning on keeping the black hooded. Her name was Cinnabun. The one we found dead this morning was a cream hooded named Gamble. I'm full of mixed emotions right now. I've had two bad mamas in my colony so far. Gazelle had a few bad litters and I ended up taking her to the store and sold her as a feeder. I still have one of her daughters. Now Chance is my bad mama. I believe I gave Gazelle 3 tries. If Chance is pregnant, I'll give her the 3rd try, for the sake of the babies. If this litter goes badly, she is out.