Should I move her to her own cage?

[Johnny_]

My oldest girl Ruggles, was always a bully rat.  She never drew blood, but always wanted to pick fights.  She is older now and has mellowed out, but two of my younger girls keep wrestling with her.  She doesn't squeak, and no blood is drawn, but I worry that with her progressing age that they will hurt her.  Ruggles and my newest nekked girl, Brie are the best of friends, and if I did need to move her I would move Brie with her.  Any suggestions?

[javakittie]

Does Ruggles seem upset by the wrestling? Does she avoid the other two like the plague? It's doubtful that they'll really hurt her. If they were hurting her now, she'd be putting up more of a fuss about it. Unless the rat becomes stressed out, or is being seriously picked on, I never suggest removing them. I'll never fully understand rat social dynamics, or why they do certain things, but I do know that it works for them 99% of the time.

[Johnny_]

She doesnt seem hurt when she is being wrestled, she doesnt even squeak, I just worry about her age.  I know she still thinks she is 8 weeks old, but she isnt.

[javakittie]

If she starts to avoid the other two, or seems to be getting really stressed, then I'd entertain the idea of removing her. My oldest girl Penn is 30mo old now, and she's had a long life of suffering through cagemates who were less than gentle with her. She's miserable away from them, though, and isn't really happy unless she's getting bowled over by her popcorning cagemates.