Question about introductions

[diabolique]

Hi everyone --

Once I'm ready to begin introductions, I will certainly read the threads and other articles that have been posted, but I have sort of a general question that I'm hoping someone might have a response to.

I have 2 males who are just about 4 months old, and I would like to eventually introduce 2 other males who are about 2 months old. All 4 of these boys come from the same parents, just different litters. I have to admit, I'm gripped by fear of the babies being hurt, so I've been putting off introductions. The two older boys are SO much bigger than the babies. I'm downright terrified that something will happen to these little ones that I've rescued and nursed back from half-dead. Is there an increased chance that they older boys will accept the younger ones due to them all being brothers?   I'm going to have to do it soon because the little ones (there are 4 babies total in the cage, all from the same litter) are outgrowing their cage and I want to get the two that I'm keeping integrated into the bigger cage ASAP.

Thanks a million for any information you might be able to give!

[Dearpie]

The fact that they're brothers will have no bearing on introductions at all.   Animals aren't like people, in that they know their relatives.  It's just like the thought that rats that are relatives won't breed with each other.  Total nonsense.

Typically rats will accept other rats that are younger than themselves, but with all introductions, caution must be taken.  If it were me, I'd get the intros going sooner rather than later!      Good luck!!

And when did you get so many more rats? Hehehee I guess I've missed something!  I just remember your first two! 

[diabolique]

Thank you for the information, Dearpie, I appreciate it.

Well, the story about how I got more rats....it's a long one. There's a thread in this section that I started called "Advice please, 4 wk old babies whose mother died". It's a looooong and dramatic thread involving how I had to pretty much confiscate these babies from a student of mine (the same student from whom I got Henri and Fred, my first 2) who wasn't caring for them properly. If you want to know the whole sordid tale, you can find the thread.  It's been a nightmare!

I will get the introductions going ASAP while they're all still young. Thanks for the advice!