(update) 1mom rat stole the other moms babies!!!!

[Ak_Mom]

I have 2 female rats. the older one is "rattie tattie" the younger one is "baby" ((kids named them)) we bred them and they gave birth about 2 days apart. Rattie was doing a good job with hers but wouldn't let baby anywhere near them. When baby had her kittens she stole Ratties kittens and now is nursing them all (she has 13 teets!!) She will NOT let Rattie into the box the kittens are in. Should I worry? Is this ok, normal? And will the youngens be ok with that many being nuresed by just the one? Rattie just seems depressed now. She isn't her usual playful self just sleeps in the nest she had her kittens in. So I am worried about her. We would have separated them but the local pet store it was ok and they would HELP raise each others young.  Any thoughts or suggestions??

[star]

I have never had this happen before because I have never bred any rats, but, is it possible for you to separate the two mommies and their respective babies now? That may be the thing to do, IMO. Good luck with the new ratties!

[ruthiechan]

Wow,
I dunno. The petstore was actually correct in what they told you....
I think you should seperate them though, and when they reach 4 weeks you can put all the girls together and put the boys in the other cage.
Good luck!

[Anna]

seperate them, divide the babies between them evenly.

What are you going to do with all of them?

[Marianne]

I agree on seperating them. You do not want a hurt baby if a tug of war was to develope. I have had does that were ok together, but in a huge cage and with lots of nest areas. The poor mom with no babies. I would most certainly give some of the babies to her as soon as you could.

[Yresim]

I know this is very belated, but I thought I should mention it...

If this occurs & you intend to separate them (putting 1/2 of the babies with each), it is important that you do it as soon as possible.

Mammals will stop producing milk if they are not being nursed.  That is why dairy farms milk their cows 2x/day or more: because they would otherwise stop producing milk.  The same is true with dogs, cats, lions, etc.

[Teresa]

Poor Rattie Tattie, I feel sorry for her.  I agree with everyone else and would seperate them so she can have her babies back.

[Ak_Mom]

They are both nursing all the babies and have been -- sorry I didn't tell ya all sooner.

  When ever I take them out to hold them I put them all pack in one group and the mommies separate them on their own now.  

  All are nursing and everyone is happy!!