why did she do this?

[rendogg]

Ok....so i came home tonight and went into my garage where i keep my reptiles and rats. I went in there just to do a quick check on everyone. And what i found was disturbing. In one if my tubs a mom literary executed 8 of her 14 babies. She didn't eat them just killed them and inured 2 others. The babies are about 3 weeks old and are eating and drinking on there own. But they were still nursing alittle. I want to know if anyone has experienced this before. Or if you know why she would do this.
I just cleaned the tubs today, filled up water bottles and filled food bowls. This is also a proven breeder and she has alway been a good mom to here babies before. I have racks and tubs and feed mazuri 6f. This group was in a 64qt iris latch tub. So any input would be greatly appreciated!

[mues155]

hmm...well mice moms are normally more likely to kill off their offspring.
I've personally never had a rat mom do it.
I know I've heard some people complain about it. But I'm sure it could be a number of reasons that are just unknown.
Maybe someone else has a better input on the matter.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Has she always had larger (12+) litters ?

[rendogg]

[QUOTE=Bobbafett;1840865]Has she always had larger (12+) litters ?[/QUOT

Yeah....im pretty sure they have all been around 10-14. You think she thought there was too many in the tub?

[I-KandyReptiles]

I don't own Norway rats. They're illegal where I live, but I breed mice and have a colony of ASFs. Have read about norways as well.

Have read mamas may eat babies if she feels the litter is too large for her to care for.

[rendogg]

I don't own Norway rats. They're illegal where I live, but I breed mice and have a colony of ASFs. Have read about norways as well.

Have read mamas may eat babies if she feels the litter is too large for her to care for.

Yeah....im not sure cuz usually they eat the babies when they are alot younger. Ive had moms do that before but not when they were this old. Its really bothering me that she did that. I just hope it doesn't happen again with another mom.

[LotusCorvus]

That is unusual, especially if she's been a good mom in the same conditions before. I know with some of my litters I'd have weird die-offs at about that age, or a couple weeks after weaning. I stopped breeding those females, since I figured it had to be genetic. No signs of injury/illness, just dead young rats, usually close to half the litter. If she's starting to get older, do you think that could have a part in it?

[rendogg]

Yeah....maybe she was getting old. I was doing some research on this and all i could come up with that was logical is she felt that there wasn't enough resources so she eliminated half the population so the rest could survive.