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Goosemoose Pet Portal > Rats Rule! > Rat Care Corner (Moderators: Goosemoose, kmw, Suebee, scout, Marybelle, Dearpie, WS, knuckles, TheChicagoCrew, ratqueen) > mommas and babies..
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Author Topic: mommas and babies..  (Read 953 times)
Virginia
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« on: February 18, 2007, 11:16:32 AM »
I have 2 male rats, and they are in a HUGE cage, so thought Id try getting two more. There was an ad on craigslist, for boys, girls and babies...

I emailed and they have two mommas with around 26 babies I think they said, that they have to be rid of. They said they smell *Uhm they are in a 20 gal. tank, I bet they do  * and want them gone, so told me if I was willing to take them, I could have them all..

SO today, I am picking them up. I have a cage here, with spacing 1/2" x 1". The babies are around 2 weeks old I believe. Could the mommas and babies go in this cage? Id rather not leave them in the tank if I can use this cage. What could happen with all the moving??

I dont have a clue how these guys have been taken care of either. Im hoping they all look good! I plan on keeping everyone in my room for now, away from everyone else.

I give my boys senior dog food, mazuri blocks and then whatever else sounds good that day. they get some suebees, fruits, veggies, chicken. Plus anything else we may be eating they can taste lol

What can I add for the mommas? Would soy milk be a good addition? I see where eggs, tuna, chicken, something like ensure..all good for them at this time..

Thanks Cheesy Ill have pictures later!
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JR1030
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« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2007, 04:49:59 PM »
Oh, my golly, what an undertaking!  Bless you for taking them.  I wish I had some practical advice, but I have no experience with babies.  I wish you luck, though, and I hope someone else will chime in here. 
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« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2007, 04:56:50 PM »
Soymilk, baby cereal. Boost or Ensure (my picky beasts will only eat strawberry:Smiley), veggies, some fruit, eggs, chicken, fish is good, along with her regular diet.

2 ooops litters at once is going to be fun!  My favourite age is 3 weeks old...and they are coming up on that.  Smiley
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The Rat Shack
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« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2007, 05:05:58 PM »
Quote from: lilspaz68 on February 18, 2007, 04:56:50 PM
2 ooops litters at once is going to be fun!  My favourite age is 3 weeks old...and they are coming up on that.  Smiley

Make sure you separate the boys from the girls at about that time though! You don't need any more ratties!

That is going to be A LOT of ratkids! Good luck!
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« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2007, 05:12:08 PM »
It's 5 weeks that the boys will need to be separated from the girls in the litters, I believe!

Best of luck with this!!  Amazing you're willing to take them all in!
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« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2007, 05:20:31 PM »
Quote from: ratlets on February 18, 2007, 05:12:08 PM
It's 5 weeks that the boys will need to be separated from the girls in the litters, I believe!

Best of luck with this!!  Amazing you're willing to take them all in!

The boys and girls need to be separated BY 5 weeks, I usually do mine a couple of days ahead.
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« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2007, 05:46:50 PM »
Whoops! Thanks for the correction!  Grin
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Virginia
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« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2007, 11:13:48 PM »
Thank you everyone! They are here! And I have a new concern *sigh*

One, there are three females in the tank with the babies. 17 babies. Apparently, one momma stole the babies. So one momma feeding 17 babies. And its not working out. SOme of the babies obviously need more than she can give them. So I was given the advice to handfeed the babies some during the day and rotate them out. Leaving the smallest with mom at all times.

Here they are:

Babies:


Momma and babies:


Other girls:


Squishy boys:


They were being fed a mix of iams cat food and hamster seed mix...not sure if thats all, but thats all I saw. Luckily they ARE seperated, so I dont think anyone is preg...

Sadly, they were meant to be snake food. I have no issues with that, as I do own a snake, but I have a LOT of issues with live feeding. These guys, except the mommas, were put into the snake cage. He just wasnt hungry I guess. I was told they might be skittish due to that  mumum

They didnt want them anymore because they stink. Well, they stink because they are in TANKS....I got them here and had to clean everything, get rid of a couple things. It was SO bad. Overwhelmed my entire house Sad Momma got a little ticked off and moved the babies around, but I put a nice CLEAN box in for her and she put them in it.

So now they get a whole new world. Im hoping to find cages this week, get them out of these tanks. What cage could momma and babies go in? Should I leave all three girls together with babies?

And their eyes are not open yet. So does that make them younger than 2 weeks? They do crawl around. They are the cutest little things ever.

Thank you all for any and all help!

Virginia
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« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2007, 08:23:42 AM »
Oh, my!  I'll say bless you again for taking the little furries.  I know nothing about feeding "orphans", as it were.  I know someone will give you some really good advice.  Good luck!
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Virginia
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« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2007, 12:37:24 PM »
They are all still doing ok this morning. They seem to like their veggies, and they got some blueberries. The other female, who Im assuming is the other momma, seemed to be in with the babies some. The babies all got scattered around the cage, so I put them back in their box. So then momma took shavings and shoved a pile in front of the box lol

I can barely see nipples on the one I think is the other mom. If the babies started nursing, could her milk come back? I am wondering if she would take a couple, maybe some of the fatter ones? She kinda seems like she wants in there, but the one will sort of push her away....Im going soon to pick up the formula and handfeeding things...
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« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2007, 07:09:09 PM »
if she still has milk your best bet would be to split the babies evenly between the mothers and put them in seperate cages......that way one isnt feeding all of them at once
this is why its always best to seperate mothers who are having babies.......not so much because of aggression issues but that female rats have a strong instinct to nurture babies and some will do so even if it means they end up with far too many to handle, or even if they dont have milk for them
however if shes had them off her for long enough for her milk to dry up, then you are def gonna need to start supp feeding and prob putting babies to the remaining mother in shifts
feeding the mother a better diet will also help with milk production so make sure shes getting all the good food she can get
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Virginia
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« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2007, 07:31:06 PM »
That is what Im doing. They have some soy milk with whole wheat bread soaked in it. Mixed veggies and blueberries. Plus the mix they came with. Im trying to not add TOO much. I couldnt find any esbilac here, so I have to go into town.
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Arlene
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« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2007, 07:41:17 PM »
Bless your heart! What an undertaking! You have already gotten excellent advice but wanted to offer my support now and in the future. I hope you are able to divide the babies between the Mamas. 17 is an awful lot of children to be nursing! LOL They are so precious! How wonderful that you have chosen to give them a chance for a better life!
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« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2007, 11:34:01 AM »
My goodness! That's a LOT of rats!  Shocked 2  That's so awesome that you took them all in!    And they're all so beautiful, too!
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Virginia
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« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2007, 11:36:43 AM »
 Cry

Sadly, all but 2 babies have passed. Im not sure whats wrong, but I wonder if they went too long without getting what they really needed. Thank you all for your advice. One of the remaining babies is not looking good right now.

I am hoping the one I have left with momma will do good and survive.

*sighs*
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« Reply #15 on: February 21, 2007, 12:47:54 PM »
Oh, I'm so, so sorry.  15 babies?  You must be heartsick.  I hope at least one will hold on for you. (((hugs)))
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Virginia
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« Reply #16 on: February 21, 2007, 01:25:18 PM »
One baby left.

I have a question and hope someone who knows can answer kinda quickly..

Momma was eating some soy milk soaked bread and had it near the baby. She left a piece and the baby found it and ate some..is this ok?

And, another question..

How do you tell if a rat is preg? Two of them, when they stand up, seem to have more bulging bellies then the momma who's nursing.....  Blue Dumbo Big Eyes And one of them keeps digging holes in the shavings...

Thanks everyone. It sucks the babies arent making it Sad But from the situation they came in, Im not completely surprised...
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Virginia
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« Reply #17 on: February 21, 2007, 03:18:29 PM »


There it is, nibbling on the bread. My camera sucks and it flashed weird...

So I am hoping this one makes it.
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« Reply #18 on: February 22, 2007, 04:10:04 PM »
You are such a good person to have done all you have.  I am so sorry the babies passed on.  I give you a lot of credit.  Please give yourself a hug for all you have done.
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« Reply #19 on: February 22, 2007, 09:27:55 PM »
How's the last baby?  Still with you? *fingers crossed*
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« Reply #20 on: February 22, 2007, 09:40:04 PM »
It's absolutely fine that the baby eats the bread with soy milk.  She probably needs the extra nutrition!  I'm sorry the others have passed, and hope that this one makes it ... Heart
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Virginia
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« Reply #21 on: February 23, 2007, 10:01:46 AM »
No he didnt make it  Cry I gave him some of the bread w/soy before I went to bed, and was planning on doing so again when I got up. He was with mom, so I left him be. Once she left him, I went to check and he was laying kinda still. He seemed to be dehydrated and just couldnt pull through. I feel bad I didnt take him out sooner Sad I wonder if mom really had any milk left and that was why? I dont know.

Everyone else is doing awesome. They all seem to like their new diets and this weekend they get cages! So I know I tried with the babies, but they just werent meant to be...
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« Reply #22 on: February 23, 2007, 10:44:27 AM »
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about the last little one.  You did what you could, they just came to you too late.  I'm glad all the others are doing well, though.  (((hugs)))
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« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2007, 10:53:31 AM »
oh thats so sad! I'm sorry they weren't able to make it... Good luck with the mommies, and I hope none of the others are pregnant..
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« Reply #24 on: February 23, 2007, 02:10:43 PM »
 Cry  So sorry to hear about the babies.  You gave them a fighting chance and did the best you could.  You deserve a HUGE pat on the back and   .  I'm glad the moms are doing well. Keep us posted...you did a great thing.
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« Reply #25 on: February 23, 2007, 02:24:19 PM »
Hi Virginia,

I just can't seem stop thinking about you and the babies that didn't make it. How are you coping? You still have the 3 older girls and 2 boys right? How are they doing?
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