Quote Originally Posted by AndrewGeibel View Post
My female rat just had her first litter and it is my first attempt at breeding rats. I would like to make sure this litter is well socialized and easily handled. When would you guys suggest that I start handling them to make sure this happens. Also at what age should I wean/separate them? I've heard 4 and 5 weeks before but what has worked well for you guys? Also if I want to raise some of them up to be future breeders is it ever safe to put them back in the same tub with the father or is the difference in size/them not growing up together a reason not to put them back together? Sorry for my noobness but this is my first time breeding rats.
It all depends on your mom. If she is good, you can handle the babies from the first day. I had one female though (that is not longer breeding) that I wouldn't even touch her babies. She would try and take you out! OUCH! Normally though I start playing with the babies about at a week. My kids hold the babies while I clean the cage, or I just pull them out to give mom a break and sometimes I just want to make sure all the babies are okay. I have used my males and retired females to babysit the weanlings successfully. I usually wean at about 5 weeks, but lately most babies go straight to feeding the baby snakes, with few ever making it to weans. All of my adults are mainly on f/t, but they'll eat live too if I have any extras.

Sorry for the rambling post, and I hope that addressed most of your concerns.