Stubborn rat...

[Gungirl]

I was very happy to wake up and see my first female to get pregnant has finally given birth. Now if only I could get her to care for her young. I do not have another female to foster the babies with right now. If momma rat doesn't start caring for her kids I hope she knows she is snake food tomorrow!

[alessia55]

What would happen to the babies if she doesn't care for them? Surely they would die... Are you gonna buy a new female to take care of them?

[stephanbakir]

Stick her in a small enough enclosure that she can't get away from them, but not too small that she has a panic attack! and then just leave her 100% alone and in the dark.

[Gungirl]

I actually did that right after I made my post and she has been feeding them. I am so happy. I need these rats! She had 19 babies and out of the 19- 3 died so I hope the other 16 make it. I only need them to go 3 weeks then I am putting them down for food. I need small guys to feed my corn and 2 baby boas' .

[sassy_snake_lady]

Wow 19 babies! I have just started breeding rats. The mice had huge litters of up to 18 babies. So far the 2 female rats have had 6 and 4 babies. I'm keeping most of them as breeders though. Good job as the babies are so cute! The next lot will be snake food though so will have to not get attached to them!

[stephanbakir]

I had to feed off 1 of my babies, she was neglecting it so it was like 1/3 the size of the others and too week to even suckle when I put it alone on the mother. Keep an eye on em and you should be fine.

[Gungirl]

Im keeping an eye on them. 3 of my snakes got snacks today.. lol so Its not like the babies got wasted. I will be alot happier when I move and have a rack system but at least she is taking care of them for now.

[millertime89]

if you get another good breeder mom, chuck this one in with the largest snake if it can eat it.

[Gungirl]

Yeah Kyle that's my thought. My Bp would take her... She is just so freaking sweet.. lol

[millertime89]

bad momma = snake food when I start breeding feeders. No f****s given.

[Gungirl]

Haha I don't mind feeding her off. I was being silly :laugh: I hunt Cute is still yummy!!

[Jenn_06]

It might just been her first litter and it takes time for some of the moms to learn to care for the babies. I let them have about 1 or 2 more litters if they still dont take care of them she is snake food but most of the time they turn out to be great moms after the first litter.

[Gungirl]

Well I think I figured out 1 issue. She was being housed with another female. I didn't think the second female was due for at least another week but I guess I was wrong. My other female is giving birth right now. Hope she has a lot of babies too. As of right now I only saw 5 but I am leaving her be. I will check again tonight and see what the count is.

[alessia55]

Congrats on all the babies! You should post pics of them. Baby rats are so cute :o

[Gungirl]

I will get some pics later on today. Once my son is off to school so he doesn't want to hold them all.. lol

[Gungirl]

Ok So here are some pics of the rats and the babies. I didn't want to mess with them so the pics aren't great and Zelda wanted nothing to do with me taking her picture.

Yoshi-Dad
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0327.jpg
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0328.jpg

Daisy and 16 babies
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0319.jpg
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0318.jpg

Zelda and 15 babies- she wanted me to go away so no real baby pics from her yet.
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0329.jpg

My son named the 3 breeders I refuse to let him name any more.

[lady_bug87]

you just reminded me... i need to make a list of the rodents I need lol I am running low

[alessia55]

aww those nursing babies are so cute! :o

[Gungirl]

I don't really care for them much at this stage. I like them once they get a little fur and wobble around like drunks.