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UH OH! I made a big mistake and need some advice

bekers71

bekers71

What addiction?!
So..I have rats, they breed, I feed off babies and keep a couple from each litter. A fed days ago, it was time to feed off a few and I decided to let go of 2 of the bigger ones too. That would leave dad, mom and 3 of her babies. I've been in and checked on them before but they usually are in the wooden house. So if I see noses poking out I don't worry too much. Well, today I go in to check the food and water and notice mom is up top and I see "parts" that tell me mom is not mom. I open the cage and sure enough, dad is dad but mom isn't there. Oh gawd..I fed off mom by mistake! I feel horrible now. They looked identical so I grabbed the wrong one. :crying: Does any one have any advice on what to do about the babies? I don't want to feed them off. I don't have another female. Before I did the unthinkable, I did see mom with the babies at the water bottle. So I am guessing she showed them how to drink. The babies are the size of healthy adult mice. They are covered in fur, running around and when I put the food bowl in one ran over and got a piece and began to nibble on it. So will they be ok on their own now? Should I give them a little some thing extra in their diet like kitten milk or some thing? Or should I chalk up my mistake and feed them off then go buy another adult female?
 
Trail and error, it happens Bekers.... If they are drinking from the water bottle they might just be okay. Pick them up and check for teeth. If they have teeth then they can eat hard foods.. Sounds like they will be just fine... No need to worry about kitten milk ect...
 
This makes me so sad, as rats are VERY intelligent and bond to their cagemates. The male is probably VERY depressed right now (I have seen it in my pets).
The babies will probably be ok if you fortify their diet.
 
If the babies are older than three weeks, they should be fine. I'm thinking that since they've learned to use the water bottle that they are probably at least close. Have you seen them eating any solid foods?

If they're younger, or if you're still worried, you can soak some bread with the milk replacer and put it in a shallow dish for them. I've usually heard of using puppy milk replacer for rats, but to be honest, I don't really have experience with either. It may not make a difference.

Hope that helps! :)


ETA: I just went to the American Fancy Rats & Mice site and came up with this:

http://www.afrma.org/rminfo8.htm

Looks like you can use either kitten or puppy formula. I learned something today, too!
 
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Buzzard said:
Trail and error, it happens Bekers.... If they are drinking from the water bottle they might just be okay. Pick them up and check for teeth. If they have teeth then they can eat hard foods.. Sounds like they will be just fine... No need to worry about kitten milk ect...
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starsevol said:
This makes me so sad, as rats are VERY intelligent and bond to their cagemates. The male is probably VERY depressed right now (I have seen it in my pets).
The babies will probably be ok if you fortify their diet.
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Thanks guys. I know it's heartbreaking to me. The female was named Moo-Moo and she was so sweet. I'm not sure how I picked up the wrong one and I feel just awful for it.

Bethany what would you suggest I add to their diet?
 

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maxfox426 said:
If the babies are older than three weeks, they should be fine. I'm thinking that since they've learned to use the water bottle that they are probably at least close. Have you seen them eating any solid foods?

If they're younger, or if you're still worried, you can soak some bread with the milk replacer and put it in a shallow dish for them. I've usually heard of using puppy milk replacer for rats, but to be honest, I don't really have experience with either. It may not make a difference.

Hope that helps! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I checked them and they all have tiny teeth. I'll keep an eye on them and see who is eating the rat food.
 
bekers71 said:
Thanks for the info. I checked them and they all have tiny teeth. I'll keep an eye on them and see who is eating the rat food.
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You're welcome!

And I must add, the first photo you posted of the little one with the half-mask... it make me squeal out loud a little. SO CUTE!
 
maxfox426 said:
You're welcome!

And I must add, the first photo you posted of the little one with the half-mask... it make me squeal out loud a little. SO CUTE!
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LOL I decided to name that one Patch. He's been my favorite since he was born. Thanks for that link too. :)
 
bekers71 said:
LOL I decided to name that one Patch. He's been my favorite since he was born. Thanks for that link too. :)
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Perfect name!

I was so disctracted by his cuteness, in fact, that I forgot to add this: those three in the photos look like they should be big enough to have been weaned already. I doubt you'll have any issues. :)
 
wstphal said:
Those ratties look old enough to eat regular rattie food. Are those the orphans?
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Yes they are the orphans. I wasn't sure how long mom actually fed them. I have seen them out and about but most the time they were cuddled up to her.
 
Becky, I have been successful with rats that age. I give them Rodent Blocks softened with milk. You can also add some baby cereal if you have some. You need to change it every day because it will sour. As they mature I start to increase the lab blocks and decrease the milk.
 
I am sorry you fed off mom... but those babies look like they will be just fine.

I also wanted to say that they are adorable! The first one you posted and in the second picture the one with the blaze up the face (huddled in the corner). Its a good thing you live in Illinois!!
 
wade said:
Becky, I have been successful with rats that age. I give them Rodent Blocks softened with milk. You can also add some baby cereal if you have some. You need to change it every day because it will sour. As they mature I start to increase the lab blocks and decrease the milk.
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Thanks Wade. I think I will do that just to make sure they can eat alright.

ratsncorns said:
I am sorry you fed off mom... but those babies look like they will be just fine.

I also wanted to say that they are adorable! The first one you posted and in the second picture the one with the blaze up the face (huddled in the corner). Its a good thing you live in Illinois!!
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Thank you! I never thought I'd like rats but one does tend to get a little attached to those adorable faces. LOL
 
bekers71 said:
Thanks guys. I know it's heartbreaking to me. The female was named Moo-Moo and she was so sweet. I'm not sure how I picked up the wrong one and I feel just awful for it.

Bethany what would you suggest I add to their diet?
Click to expand...

OMG they are ADORABLE!!!! Anyway, they look old enough that they will be fine. I have never raised ratties...I could never use them for food myself, and just get babies and keep them until they die of old age, or I have to have them put down due to illness. I know alot more about them from the age of 5 weeks on up :)
 
Hey I'm not trying to get off topic or steal this thread but I do have a quick question..I currently own 3 corns, 6 ball pythons and 1 thayeri kingsnake and I will be aquiring 2 more corns next week..should I start a mouse colony or would it be cheaper to buy frozen mice of various sizes? Which is the better way to go??
 
Maize411 said:
Hey I'm not trying to get off topic or steal this thread but I do have a quick question..I currently own 3 corns, 6 ball pythons and 1 thayeri kingsnake and I will be aquiring 2 more corns next week..should I start a mouse colony or would it be cheaper to buy frozen mice of various sizes? Which is the better way to go??
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In my opinion it's easier and cheaper to buy f/t. To raise enough food for even a small amount of snakes like you have, you'd have to have quit a few. If mice have babies every couple months how are you going to have enough pinks to feed in between? Or adults? Then take into consideration buying food and bedding, changing cages all the time, putting up with the smell etc. I inherited this group of rats from some one else a while back that had to get rid of them. I keep it pretty small usually with only a few adults. The babies are kept only long enough to be big enough for a particular snakes or until they get big enough to replace the parents. I can't imagine having a bunch of these things. LOL
 
OMG! You are in Illinois :eek: *squeeeeee!* I WANT the one in the picture ♥♥♥ ;)
 
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