Rat Orphans

[ZacharyPoller]

Even though I was very attached to their momma, I knew, deep down, that she wouldn't make it. It's hard to have to choose when to put an animal down, but I think that I made the right decision in the end. I have beautiful, healthy babies to show for it. I'll probably sell this litter as pets and keep a female for myself, especially if one ends up looking like mom.


A little update on the babies. I went in last night to make sure they were all looking good. Sometime over Sunday night/Monday morning, two had passed away and were eaten by the foster mom. I don't believe she killed them. I honestly think that they died and she cleaned them up. She's been nothing but an excellent mother so I have no reason to believe she ate them. When I cleaned cages the night before, there were a couple that had no milk bands. It's possible that they just didn't get the hang of nursing and perished. All other ten look great! All have milk bands and are very active. Foster mom is doing well with them.

That's great that they are doing well, sorry for the loss of 2 , the mom only eats young if they are dying, dead, malnourished or she is malnourished. This is what I have been reading, I am no professional just saying what I have read. It sounds like you take great care of them so the mother wasn't malnourished, so I'm assuming she realized they weren't going to make and ate them , rats have great maternal instincts.



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