Can someone help me with a sizing question? Please?

[~Lilly's mama~]

Ok, I got my 2 first babies from PetSmart(I know, I know).  They said they were from the same litter, and they were the same size.  

Now, one of them is almost twice the size of the other!  Lilly is just not seeming to grow that much.  I keep checking to make sure they are both female, and yup.  What do you think the prob is?  The smaller one is healthy and acts normal.  

Any suggestions?

[ruthiechan]

Could she be a runt?

Also is she getting enough to eat and all that?
Is she sick at all?
If not, I'm betting she's a runt.

[EaglesEye Rattery]

Ok, I got my 2 first babies from PetSmart(I know, I know).  They said they were from the same litter, and they were the same size.  

Now, one of them is almost twice the size of the other!  Lilly is just not seeming to grow that much.  I keep checking to make sure they are both female, and yup.  What do you think the prob is?  The smaller one is healthy and acts normal.  

Any suggestions?

Some babies grow at differn rates and some end up smaller than others including litter mates.  From my first litter I have one girl who is 'normal' size and her sister who is bigger than a normal doe.  

Just like in people sibblings may not be the same

Make sure the little one is still getting her fair share of food and that the big one doesn't bully her out if it and you should be just fine!

                                     Emily~

[~Lilly's mama~]

Oh ya!  She gets enough to eat!:D  I'd say she eats more than everyone else, LOL!  

Thanks guys!  I feel alot better now.  

Emily~  Can't wait to see those babies!

[EaglesEye Rattery]

LOL  It's you!!  Hee Hee

I was really confused when you said you couldn't wait LOL  *sigh*  I'm so blond!  LOL

It's Spades and Ariel who are drastically differnt in size.  

                                          Em~

[Yresim]

If it helps...

I've noticed that my more active girls tend to be smaller than my lazier girls.  Cricket was smaller than Peanut Butter, Ennoia was smaller than Mocha, etc.  

If this girl is especially active, that may be a link.  I'm not a breeder, so I have no facts to back me up.  Just "backyard" experience.  

[Mousie's Mom]

LOL  It's you!!  Hee Hee

I was really confused when you said you couldn't wait LOL  *sigh*  I'm so blond!  LOL

It's Spades and Ariel who are drastically differnt in size.  

                                          Em~

Hi Emily,  just curious.  How big are Ariel and Spades now.  There sis Millie just weighed in at 280 grams.  She still seems tiny compared to her cage mates, Abby and Nala who are two weeks older and 25-35 grams heavier.  I think they are just big girls and Millie is a sweet little dainty girlie.  But I'm wondering if Millie's real sisters are also around Millie's size.

[EaglesEye Rattery]

Hi Emily,  just curious.  How big are Ariel and Spades now.  There sis Millie just weighed in at 280 grams.  She still seems tiny compared to her cage mates, Abby and Nala who are two weeks older and 25-35 grams heavier.  I think they are just big girls and Millie is a sweet little dainty girlie.  But I'm wondering if Millie's real sisters are also around Millie's size.

Well Ariel is more than likely about the same size as Millie and always has been- Ariel was the doe I kept with Millie when she got hurt (her nose).  I don't have a scale so I can't weight these girls though.  Puddles is the same size as Ariel where as Spades is big built and looks 'like a boy'.

Spades was always bigger than her sisters and is only a TINY bit smaller than her brothers.  Right now we have three of their brothers with us, but two will be going to Colorado next week.  Spades and Puddles live with my girl friend and keep her baby entertained LOL  (Her 5 month old LOVES watching the girls!  LOL)

I do need to get a scale soon.  Do you just use one of those mail scales, or a food scale??  I think either would work- with a bowl fastened on top to keep them in!  LOL

                                          Em~

[Ratty Corner]

We've got a digital scale. I tried putting the ratties into the bowl at first, but they kept tipping it over and scaring themselves. I've found that it's simpler just to hold up a treat above the flat base, so they have to stand up in the centre to get at it.