Separate or not?

[Wicked Balls]

okie so I've had my colony set up for about 4-5 months now, and all is doing fine. 4 females in each tub, and one male I rotate with each group. Our first group that had their litters are being bred again at the moment, but my question is...

Would it be better to separate each female when they are noticeably pregnant into solitary tubs, or leave them all together?

What I noticed is the past few litters being born, are being born to far apart and they are only caring for the older ones and/or one female is trying to raise all the litters at once and not allowing the others to help (had this happen to my oldest litters at the moment so they are kinda small).

What is everyone's experiences, thoughts, tricks?

Thanks =)

[PitOnTheProwl]

I keep all my females together.

[MonkeyShuttle]

I would say definitely separate them cause if they're first time moms i would think you wouldn't want to give them the opportunity to abandon there mothers rolls. Allow them to figure everything out by themselves and hopefully later on they could be better breeders and more confident mothers. Not an expert opinion just what i do. Good luck


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[Zach Cedor]

Depends if they are within a week from each other I would say leave them if more seperate especially with first time or newer Mothers better mothers can just be left they seem to make sure no baby gets unaccounted for just my experience all personal opinion though unlike most mice rats tend to have much less issues have multiple litters housed together actually some thrive on this

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[Wicked Balls]

Hmm, ok thanks, I'll try separating the first timers, and then try them together with there next litters.

[Marrissa]

I've only had about three litters so far but both moms were first time moms. I didn't have any issues with them being housed together. One gave birth about five days before the other. Once they both had litters I noticed after a few days there would be some of eachs in each nest. When the babies got older the nests were completely mixed of whos was whos. Never saw any fighting over babies. They just picked up the strays and returned it to their own nest, and nursed each others babies.

[sorraia]

I keep my litters separate. I do want to know what babies belong to who in case I keep any. I have also had problems with mom's stealing all the babies then being unable to feed all 26+.

[MonkeyShuttle]

I keep my litters separate. I do want to know what babies belong to who in case I keep any. I have also had problems with mom's stealing all the babies then being unable to feed all 26+.

My wife would do this if givin the chance lol


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[iamratpimp]

Hi Wicked!

Expecting mothers can be kept in pairs or trios - does will help take care of each other's babies. I limit to pairs or trios because (due to very strong maternal instinct) rat moms can sometimes get in tug of wars with babies and hurt their offspring.

I personally would reccomend keeping your pairing based on if the mothers will be birthing at similar times.

Hope this helps!

-Rat Pimp

[Darkbird]

Cement tub racks, 2 females per tub. I do have occasional issues with baby hoarding, but it doesn't normally result in any real issues. I tried a colony of 4 females in a larger enclosure, but I had a lot of issue with older babies pushing the younger ones out of the way and ended up with one female at the end trying to nurse like 35+ babies. I am seriously considering going down to one female per tub at least for a bit, as I normally produce more than I need and so I can see just who is producing what. Just don't thing they'll keep up once everyone is back on food.