Adding a rat

[Ballpython2]

I have a male and a female with 6 babies. The babies are eating solid food and drinking water from the water bottle (and they still drink mothers milk) my friend wants to give me one of his female rats that is an adult ( a little about her personality, she is pocket trained and backpack trained so her temperment is a good one)..So can I just put her in there with the other rat and her babies without conflict?

[frankykeno]

Is the mother and litter alone or is the male with them? Personally I wouldn't add an unkown female rat in with a nursing mother rat. You may end up with a lot of problems. I'd suggest housing her seperate then doing the introduction after the litter is weaned. That will also give you a chance to make sure the new rat is healthy and well tempered.

[Ballpython2]

The male has been in with this female since they met. and the mother has six babies LEFT. four of them I fed off so basically in the next two - three weeks these babies ( the males anyway will be breeding age i think its 6 weeks)..It still counts as nursing if they drink from the water bottle and eat solid food?

[SatanicIntention]

No, the females will most likely fight and babies could get harmed. Females really should be separated singly when they are pregnant/birthing/rearing babies. They should also be given at least 1-2 weeks after the babies are fully weaned(4-5 weeks) to rest and gain back her weight before being bred again.

The female rat that is in with the male now, is already pregnant again. That is depleting her resources exponentially right now. Babies nursing still, babies forming inside taking her reserves, and her own body requirements. That's alot of strain on their bodies and really isn't the best for her. She most likely won't live very long if you continue that regimen with her.

It would be best to separate her now, before she gives birth again(which could be before these babies are weaned). She doesn't need to get pregnant again until after this 2nd litter(that she is pregnant with) is weaned and she's given a week to two weeks off(without babies). The litters will be bigger in number, babies will be heavier and healthier, and the mom will have adequate reserves to properly provide for them(and not run out of milk).

Keep one of the male's sons as a buddy for him, while he's not in with either female. He'll be a happier rat for it.

[Ballpython2]

ok so what I'll do is, next week buy another tank big enough for the male and the new female let the mate have babies, then leave one of these babies (that I have now) in with the male....Sound like a plan?..The baby and the male will be in a seperate tank in the basement.