First Litters (couple questions)

[satomi325]

I separated my 2 females that looked pretty hefty the other day and today they both had litters. One had at least 12 pups and I can't really tell how many the other had. I have 2 other pregnant females that are still living together.

The females that had babies both look pretty tired. I read online that they like scrambled eggs and foods that are high in protein while they are nursing and especially right after giving birth. Any other foods you would recommend giving them to help bring their energy back up?

When I fussed around in the room (I didn't open the bins) for a few minutes they started getting a little nervous. The one with the big litter looked like she was either stashing the babies under the newspaper or moving the nest or some similar. Basically the neat pile of babies started getting fussed with. After birth like this, am I still at risk of her eating them or should I be in the clear? Is there anything I should not do within the first day? How long?

I guess my main question is if I can go about my business in that room that the rat rack is in or not. I need to feed the snakes, and the 2 other pregnant females are together and based on timing I would really like to separate them as I believe they will also be giving birth quite soon. Safe to split the other females on the lower part of the rack while they're nursing fresh litters up top? Should I wait till tomorrow?

6 rats to at least 25 in 1 day. Oh boy, here we go...

Any other tips, tricks, or warnings?

For an extra boost you can give your mamas eggs, yogurt, or Ensure.

Every time you open the rat bin, some mamas will pick up a baby and try to move them to a "safe" spot. Even if the babies get moved all about, the mother will almost always return them to the communal nest once the disturbance ceases.

I doubt she'll eat her babies.

I tend to leave babies and mother alone for at least 24 hours before fussing with them. The first few hours after birth are crucial for the mother to bond with the pups. But you can go on with your business in the room and the other rats.