my first keeper

[jben]

She opened her eyes yesterday (monday). I feed them Mazuri Rodent Feed, the store does not carry the 6F.

[Michelle.C]

They look a tiny bit small, but nothing severe. I'd add scraps around the house to your females diet. Making a cereal/dry noodle mix and feed them chicken bones, eggs, mealworms, high quality dog food, etc, will help. All of these are good for fattening and some are great for the protein, which mommy ratties need.

All in all, they look pretty chubby. If she had a large litter or she's a first time mommy, that could also be why they are on the smaller size.

[jben]

I can't wait until I start breeding rats, seems so much more convinient.

Very cute little rat, I'm sure there will be more keepers as you go

Thanks, We'll try not to keep anymore than we need, but we'll see how that goes...LOL

They look a tiny bit small, but nothing severe. I'd add scraps around the house to your females diet. Making a cereal/dry noodle mix and feed them chicken bones, eggs, mealworms, high quality dog food, etc, will help. All of these are good for fattening and some are great for the protein, which mommy ratties need.

All in all, they look pretty chubby. If she had a large litter or she's a first time mommy, that could also be why they are on the smaller size.

Thank you. This is a first time mommy, the only thing we add is carrots to the diet. I did not think that i had to add anything alse when being fed Mazuri. I'll definetely start adding more scraps. Also, i forgot to mention that this is not her litter, i gave them to her when the other first time mommy was killing them, both litters were 1 week apart so i put them together, that's another post that i had.

[SlitherinSisters]

Thanks, We'll try not to keep anymore than we need, but we'll see how that goes...LOL

I've been trying that for months I'm OK about not keeping a ton, but there seems to be one that I always want to keep back. I'm not doing terrible, I only have 7 female breeders now. Although, there are two females from my newest litter that I want to keep, and a male

[jben]

I've been trying that for months I'm OK about not keeping a ton, but there seems to be one that I always want to keep back. I'm not doing terrible, I only have 7 female breeders now. Although, there are two females from my newest litter that I want to keep, and a male

I hate to say it but you're in denial, you need some help...LOL i'm only joking.

[SlitherinSisters]

I hate to say it but you're in denial, you need some help...LOL i'm only joking.

Yeah I do!!! I'm in desperate need of building some new racks!

[Al Weeks]

Holy crap those things are cute!

[jzoot3d]

they are all sleeping haha very cute tho.

[bad-one]

Awww I love your hold back, that's gonna make one pretty adult

[suzuki4life]

She opened her eyes yesterday (monday). I feed them Mazuri Rodent Feed, the store does not carry the 6F.

so what are you feeding? 9F?

weight wise they look heavy which is actually good at this point, better than the latter.

But they should have eyes open and be pretty self mobile at 3 weeks.

Now a low litter count could be the culprit. They are each getting more milk than if in a bigger litter.

I praise the effects of 6f as a feed.

complex diet is debatable....

falls back to the "are they pets or feeders" argument.

6f can and will provide everything they require their entire life.

However, variety is always a great option IF it is realistic.

I have tons of rats, literally. I even try to offer a variety by offering any acceptable tables scraps I can.

Rats LOVE fried chicken, bones and all. Bone marrow is very nutritious. Bread(stale or good, no mold!!), rice, pasta, meat etc. Offer a small amount, if they eat it then offer. Do not offer anymore than will be consume very quickly. You don't want anything near your chages that will draw mold or insects.